Paddle Shifters...
10-07-2010, 12:55 AM
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
Paddle Shifters...
Hey everyone, I'm fairly new to the site, and have made a few post in just the few days of being here...EXCELLENT forum, btw!!
Currently, I'm the owner of an '01 CL Type S 5A. Love driving the car using the auto/manual stick. Haven't driven a manual since my '96 Mystic Cobra, 9 years ago, so I enjoy driving this car with the 5spd Auto. But, I have a question. I'm working towards purchasing either a '10 TL SH-AWD or waiting for the 2012 models to come out. But, having test driven a few TL's over the last few months, I noticed how uncomfortable it was to use the paddle shifters while driving the car through some deep road curves. Either I find it difficult to find the right paddle once the steering wheel is turned a good amount or REALLY difficult to keep my hands at the "10 & 2" position during spirited driving. Is there ANY possibility Acura would go back to shifting using the "autostick", or just add that option to go along with the paddle shifters?
Just curious...
Thanks guys!
Currently, I'm the owner of an '01 CL Type S 5A. Love driving the car using the auto/manual stick. Haven't driven a manual since my '96 Mystic Cobra, 9 years ago, so I enjoy driving this car with the 5spd Auto. But, I have a question. I'm working towards purchasing either a '10 TL SH-AWD or waiting for the 2012 models to come out. But, having test driven a few TL's over the last few months, I noticed how uncomfortable it was to use the paddle shifters while driving the car through some deep road curves. Either I find it difficult to find the right paddle once the steering wheel is turned a good amount or REALLY difficult to keep my hands at the "10 & 2" position during spirited driving. Is there ANY possibility Acura would go back to shifting using the "autostick", or just add that option to go along with the paddle shifters?
Just curious...
Thanks guys!
10-07-2010, 02:18 AM
#2
I have the same problem and have complained a few times. However.. no one else seems to mind, or care much about the position of the shifters.
Personally, I'd rather have a manual shift gate.
The current paddle shifters work well if the roads are wide and open, and turns are not tight, but try using them when you're driving on a tight twisty road, you'll quickly lose track of the paddles.
If it had a manual shift gate, you could quickly shift, then move your hand back to the wheel, you'd know exactly where the shifter is. With paddles? you need to find the paddle, make sure the wheel is in the right position for the right hand. Want to upshift out of a turn? You need to wait for the wheel to straighten first. Just my rant though.
I drive the same road in my gf's A5 with the manual shift gate and it's fun as hell!!
Personally, I'd rather have a manual shift gate.
The current paddle shifters work well if the roads are wide and open, and turns are not tight, but try using them when you're driving on a tight twisty road, you'll quickly lose track of the paddles.
If it had a manual shift gate, you could quickly shift, then move your hand back to the wheel, you'd know exactly where the shifter is. With paddles? you need to find the paddle, make sure the wheel is in the right position for the right hand. Want to upshift out of a turn? You need to wait for the wheel to straighten first. Just my rant though.
I drive the same road in my gf's A5 with the manual shift gate and it's fun as hell!!
10-07-2010, 06:49 AM
#3
The Sicilian
I knew I was'nt the only one who hates paddle shifters. I just thought I was getting old! I do NOT like the paddle shifters at all.
I guess I am old school, but I need to shift with my right hand.
My sister has a 2007 G35X and although I don't like the car I do like the fact you can shift it via shiftgate.
I feel like the paddle shifters are for the younger crowd as they are so into video games, but most younger crowd don't buy the 4G TL so why not keep it simple.
I feel I might blow the car the motor using the paddle shifters and I feel less in control with them as well.
I totally agree with you guys.
I guess I am old school, but I need to shift with my right hand.
My sister has a 2007 G35X and although I don't like the car I do like the fact you can shift it via shiftgate.
I feel like the paddle shifters are for the younger crowd as they are so into video games, but most younger crowd don't buy the 4G TL so why not keep it simple.
I feel I might blow the car the motor using the paddle shifters and I feel less in control with them as well.
I totally agree with you guys.
10-07-2010, 08:04 AM
#4
Grandpa
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I don't like paddle shifters, either.
Racers and track drivers who were taught to shuffle steer will be the loudest complainers. The engineers will respond that you're supposed to be in the proper gear before turn-in.
The drivers respond that they have to think about where the paddles are when powering out of a corner.
The engineers will respond that they'll get used to it.
It's a never ending circle.
All that I can say is that personally I have no use for them and find them to be a gimmick when employed with more or less conventional automatic gearboxes.
Racers and track drivers who were taught to shuffle steer will be the loudest complainers. The engineers will respond that you're supposed to be in the proper gear before turn-in.
The drivers respond that they have to think about where the paddles are when powering out of a corner.
The engineers will respond that they'll get used to it.
It's a never ending circle.
All that I can say is that personally I have no use for them and find them to be a gimmick when employed with more or less conventional automatic gearboxes.
10-07-2010, 08:59 AM
#5
Instructor
The real fix is to attach the paddles to the steering column, not the steering wheel. I think I read something about Nissan doing this on some of their cars... The paddles are stationary and you always know where they are because they aren't attached to the wheel. To me, that sounds like the best of both worlds.
10-07-2010, 09:44 AM
#7
COTM Coordinator
The upshift paddle has ridges on it and the downshift paddle doesnt. If you can pay enough attention to the feeling of the paddles you should be able to differentiate the upshift and downshift paddle when turning. (Im still trying to listen to my fingers, but its hard when your trying to pay attention to the turn.
Also, the location of the paddles on the wheel and the absence of the shift gate is to have the driver maintain positive and full control of the car with hands at 10 and 2. Less of a reason for some one to say its Acuras fault that they crashed since they had to move their hand from the wheel to shift........ just a thought.
Also, the location of the paddles on the wheel and the absence of the shift gate is to have the driver maintain positive and full control of the car with hands at 10 and 2. Less of a reason for some one to say its Acuras fault that they crashed since they had to move their hand from the wheel to shift........ just a thought.
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10-08-2010, 07:24 AM
#8
The Sicilian
The upshift paddle has ridges on it and the downshift paddle doesnt. If you can pay enough attention to the feeling of the paddles you should be able to differentiate the upshift and downshift paddle when turning. (Im still trying to listen to my fingers, but its hard when your trying to pay attention to the turn.
Also, the location of the paddles on the wheel and the absence of the shift gate is to have the driver maintain positive and full control of the car with hands at 10 and 2. Less of a reason for some one to say its Acuras fault that they crashed since they had to move their hand from the wheel to shift........ just a thought.
Also, the location of the paddles on the wheel and the absence of the shift gate is to have the driver maintain positive and full control of the car with hands at 10 and 2. Less of a reason for some one to say its Acuras fault that they crashed since they had to move their hand from the wheel to shift........ just a thought.
I have plenty of control with one hand on the wheel & one on the shifter, it's called drag racing!
Ahh what a difference 20 years makes.
10-09-2010, 08:42 AM
#9
Grandpa
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I just won't ever understand the need for paddle shifters.
Even when we're trail braking, the shift is made effectively with the tunnel shifter.
You could make a case for a raised shifter to get it closer to your hands, if you can do it without lengthening the gate, or for paddles on the steering column, it seems to me.
Even when we're trail braking, the shift is made effectively with the tunnel shifter.
You could make a case for a raised shifter to get it closer to your hands, if you can do it without lengthening the gate, or for paddles on the steering column, it seems to me.
10-10-2010, 10:38 PM
#11
COTM Coordinator
Drag racing is a straight line. Sure you could do it one handed. If you have driven fast enough cars you would know that you need two hands on the wheel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiSpt...eature=related
Not everyone drives on a dragstrip. There are turns in the real world
I believe this is a safety feature, better two hands on the wheel than one. Ive gotten use to it, and Ill admit it was difficult to adapt to the change for me as well.
10-11-2010, 08:03 AM
#12
Pro
I hate the location of the paddle shifters as well. I'm waiting for the 2012 to arrive to switch to a 6MT so I can shift in a more relaxed and comfortable manner (along with all the upgrades, of course).
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