Took my SH-AWD Advanced in today to (hopefully) get the transmission shift issues resolved. Got a 2.4 Tech as a loaner car. I have to admit that the shift lever now seems clumsy to me. I had developed a "thumb on drive, index on reverse" technique for shifting with the buttons. Now it seems like a "long" way to move the shift lever to change from park to drive. In fact at first I did not move it far enough so was in neutral.

 

I had a 2.4 base loaner recently, and I kept hitting my arm on the shift lever. It was annoying. I really like the push button shifting in my V6. But I have to say the 2.4 has a lot of power and the tranny was nice and smooth. I didn't care for the sound system though.

 

Isn't it funny how quickly we adapt!! I was driving my old car and it took me a few minutes to "remember" i had to put it back into Park when I turned the car off. I personally never minded and actually liked the pushbutton style, but after a few months, I like it even more.

 

I've read so, so many reviews about the push button shifter and how the reviewer thought it was gimmicky or hated it. I admit on my test drive of the car I thought it was bizarre at first, but after half an hour with it, it started to really make sense (plus it just looks better too). I think people just like to slam what they aren't used to because it's not 'needed'. I'm sure once I own one (come on 2016's!) I'll love it. It's gonna hurt leaving behind my 6MT, but I could definitely get used to the 9AT shifter interface.

I wouldn't be surprised to see shift sticks go away for automatic transmissions in the next 10 years.

 

^^ I think our ability to drive cars will getting close to being gone in 10 years...Sit in, give a voice command and enjoy our French Vanilla Latte as the enclosed unit carries us to our destination.

Signed...Mr Jetson

 

I really like that tip and am in the process of "learning" my hand to do it that way. It avoids the accidental press of the Drive by the first finger when reverse was intended. Not a big deal but useful.

 

Yes, but I suspect in ten years you will finally pull the trigger on a 2016 TLX!

Signed…. Elrod

 

^^ LMAO! You should be getting your 1-900 psychic line

 

If the push button is still around when I lease my next TLX, maybe I can give it a try.

I still like grabbing my stick (Stick-shift).

 

^^ So do I! It must be a virile thing for me?! I just like to hold on to something but that being said, I have never tried the 'lack of gear stick" long enough. For the record, I never stated that I couldn't get used to pushing buttons to shift a car....That is trivial to learn and intuitive - Its not having anything to grab that will take getting used to....Almost like trying to drive a car without a console to rest my arm on.

 

Having to hold on to something is overrated. When my right hand is not on the steering wheel it rests on my right leg and is quite comfortable. I do not notice or miss the gear selector level.

 

I now have a reason to always keep a water bottle in the car ... substitute arm holder!

 

For some reason, this made me laugh.

Thanks!

 

I was just thinking the same thing, I opened this post and scrolled down towards the bottom and saw his comment and immediately the little kid in me had a little chuckle!

 

It is a little funny how muscle memory works. I drove my older car the last few days and it has a traditional shifter. When I got back into my TLX, more than a few times I found myself trying to put the car back into Park when I was ready to get out.

 

LOL this is funny, I have found my self turning other cars off now while leaving it in drive or opening the drivers door and still having the car in drive. This car has spoiled me....

 

This is funny, when on a test drive in a V6, I still find myself wanting to rest my hand on the shifter (a manual transmission habit).

 

You can occupy that idle right hand with turning on the seat heaters or changing the IDS setting or perhaps a little tactile interaction with the passenger seat occupant.

 

^^ I like option B better *lol*

 

Thanks for sharing this tip. I've been doing it this way the past couple of days and it's way better than my previous random non-technique. Seems totally natural to me now and makes so much sense.