Effective way to use paddle shifter?

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Old 06-24-2011 | 01:22 PM
  #1  
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Effective way to use paddle shifter?

I'm not sure this topic has been already discussed or not.. Now I'm just curious for using paddle shifters..
what is the most effective way to use your paddle shifters?
How do you use your shift paddle in order to run as fast as you can? Do you also turn of the VSA?
I usually down shift to 3rd gear under high speed(70m/h & up)..
but anyone have better way to run??
Old 06-24-2011 | 09:10 PM
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I was actually wondering the same...
anyone have any good shift points?
Old 06-24-2011 | 09:51 PM
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i would suggest leaving the VSA on unless you are a trained professional and have experience handling FWD vehicles past the limits of adhesion

as for using the paddle shifters, heres the best advice i can give, shift up when you are close to redline, shift down whenever you feel like it.

Thats all there is too it.

Because of the electronic nannies on the car, you cant shift down if you arent in the right range anyways, so just downshift to your hearts content.

Interestingly enough, the nannies do let you hit fuel cutoff on acceleration, which is interesting because some cars with tiptronic systems dont let you even get that far. Truthfully the best way to do upshifts IMO is to leave the car in neutral-S mode, which is S w/o paddle shifters. The car holds the gears pretty much till redline and then takes care of the rest. It can get annoying though to have it hold you at a constant 4K RPM at 75mph in 4th gear, so thats when youd wanna shift up to 5th for some silence if you are no longer overtaking.

Paddle shifts i think are most useful in regular D mode when you feel a spontaneous overtake coming on below 80 mph. Above that, nothing in this car is spontaneous !
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Old 07-03-2011 | 10:48 PM
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Originally Posted by KillerG
i would suggest leaving the VSA on unless you are a trained professional and have experience handling FWD vehicles past the limits of adhesion

as for using the paddle shifters, heres the best advice i can give, shift up when you are close to redline, shift down whenever you feel like it.

Thats all there is too it.

Because of the electronic nannies on the car, you cant shift down if you arent in the right range anyways, so just downshift to your hearts content.

Interestingly enough, the nannies do let you hit fuel cutoff on acceleration, which is interesting because some cars with tiptronic systems dont let you even get that far. Truthfully the best way to do upshifts IMO is to leave the car in neutral-S mode, which is S w/o paddle shifters. The car holds the gears pretty much till redline and then takes care of the rest. It can get annoying though to have it hold you at a constant 4K RPM at 75mph in 4th gear, so thats when youd wanna shift up to 5th for some silence if you are no longer overtaking.

Paddle shifts i think are most useful in regular D mode when you feel a spontaneous overtake coming on below 80 mph. Above that, nothing in this car is spontaneous !
I hate to shit in the lemonaid, but the paddles are just a jerk off. They do nothing more than simply flooring your car. They best thing they are used for is down shifting to red lights.
Old 07-04-2011 | 12:13 AM
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1st to 2nd: 15mph
2nd to 3rd: 25mph
3rd to 4th: 35mph
4th to 5th: 45mph
Old 07-08-2011 | 02:02 PM
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I beg to differ. I think the shifters can be quite useful. I use them for downshitfting to red lights as one mentioned above. I also use them in shitty road conditions as with heavy rain or ice and snow for more control. Hitting an onramp is great. I downshift to second gear and hold it until the merge which is typically 65-70mph. In Virginia Beach area with all the shitty drivers you need to just get ahead of all of them otherwise you are likely to get killed. (Ranked 17th in worst cities for motor-vehicle related fatalities nationwide)

Anywho... from the split second downshift decision which it may take your car longer to realize what the hell you are asking it to do to keep you out of trouble to emergency braking which downshifting at the same time helps incredibly, you can find a multitude of ways to use your paddles effectively. Took me a little while to find all the good shift points but once you find them you won't ever need to look at you tach again. And yes, emergency downshifting via the paddle kept me from rear ending someone who locked up their brakes in front of me. If I hadn't I know I'd be pimpin' the aero bumper if not a whole new car.
Old 07-08-2011 | 02:41 PM
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From: Socal 626
hold 1st gear till you red line !
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