I can't drive a paddle shift :-(
Discussion
Be gentle please, but I am being serious.
I had paddles on my previous BMW, my OH had them on his Jag but I always drove them in 'drive' aka auto
When I test drove the 420 with paddles, I felt a complete numpty. Into the manual V12V and perfect.
Is there a knack which I am missing?
I just can't get on with it, or is it just practise? I feel I am missing out on a different driving experience but haven't had the opportunity to really get to grips with it.
Prepared for the woman driver comments but would appreciate some real advice too please
Di
I had paddles on my previous BMW, my OH had them on his Jag but I always drove them in 'drive' aka auto
When I test drove the 420 with paddles, I felt a complete numpty. Into the manual V12V and perfect.
Is there a knack which I am missing?
I just can't get on with it, or is it just practise? I feel I am missing out on a different driving experience but haven't had the opportunity to really get to grips with it.
Prepared for the woman driver comments but would appreciate some real advice too please
Di
Think the 'backing off' technique is of benefit when using a robotic manual, but when using a manually actuated auto box (like in the Jag) just keep your toe in!
It's a bit like changing gear on a games console, seemed ultimately pointless I realised - one of the reasons I sold my TouchTronic DB7. I used the buttons all the time, but it was to help the pace of driving rather than for enjoyment, felt like I was driving remotely in a way. I very rarely use the TipTronic on the 964, helps in a fast corner but that's about it, leave in auto almost the whole time.
No substitute for a manual in my opinion, it's what driving is about. But many disagree and I will admit, paddle shifts are very useful on track when it's good to have both hands on the wheel.
It's a bit like changing gear on a games console, seemed ultimately pointless I realised - one of the reasons I sold my TouchTronic DB7. I used the buttons all the time, but it was to help the pace of driving rather than for enjoyment, felt like I was driving remotely in a way. I very rarely use the TipTronic on the 964, helps in a fast corner but that's about it, leave in auto almost the whole time.
No substitute for a manual in my opinion, it's what driving is about. But many disagree and I will admit, paddle shifts are very useful on track when it's good to have both hands on the wheel.
lady topaz said:
Is there a knack which I am missing?
I just can't get on with it, or is it just practise?
I had a similar experience with a sportshift V8. I did find that it was getting easier after time but it's what a psychologist calls an "overlearned routine". Think of your journey to work each day or another journey which you frequently make. You do it without thinking. Driving is the same after a while - you don't really think, you just do it. Changing gear is part of that. So when you have to think it makes for a slightly uncomfortable experience - during the re-learning phase.I just can't get on with it, or is it just practise?
If you tried one for a week or two you would get the hang of it.
Di, is the the using of the paddles that's annoying your senses?
That's what happened to me...i did get used to it, but preferred the feel of the manual.
the left foot left hand coordination is one most of us have spent years perfecting so leaving out the left foot and using the left/right hand takes a lot of getting used to for some people (including me).
The trick to doing so is to drive it in auto mode so your brain gets used to treating it as an aut from the perspective of your left foot, then once you've got used to that bit you occasionally drop it into paddle mode and play with them a bit going up and down the gears.
after that it's just fine tuning to whatever style of change you want with the throttle.
That's what happened to me...i did get used to it, but preferred the feel of the manual.
the left foot left hand coordination is one most of us have spent years perfecting so leaving out the left foot and using the left/right hand takes a lot of getting used to for some people (including me).
The trick to doing so is to drive it in auto mode so your brain gets used to treating it as an aut from the perspective of your left foot, then once you've got used to that bit you occasionally drop it into paddle mode and play with them a bit going up and down the gears.
after that it's just fine tuning to whatever style of change you want with the throttle.
Any new activity you do that requires learning a new way of coordinating takes time. As Harsh has said, many people have used both feet and left hand for years. If I recall correctly, coordination (for walking, running, standing up etc) is learned from habitual practise and stored as chemical sequences to be recalled without concious effort - so give it a few days and it'll get easier, before becoming "second nature".
In the process of buying an M3 a few years ago I tried an SMG and took an instant dislike to it. I hated the "auto" mode and the "diff thump" when pressing on through the gears was awful. I went for a manual as a result and liked it most of the time, except in traffic when the heavy clutch would get a little tiresome.
At that point I thought I would never get a paddle shift car.
Last year I test drove a manual V8V and then a S/shift a couple of weeks later. I was sold on the latter after about 10 minutes in the car. However, once I actually found and purchased a S/shift I spent a few months with it mostly in auto mode and just occasional spells with the paddles. I think this was either down to laziness, where I was driving, or the fact that I drive two other auto cars the rest of the time. Anyway, that turned out to be a big mistake which I have now corrected and I use the paddles nearly all the time. I think they are great but there does seem to be a little mental hurdle (for me anyway) you have to go over before you can be completely at home with them.
Also, dropping through the gears as you head towards a corner or roundabout at some knots delivers an aural experience that's a little harder to achieve in a manual
Alan
At that point I thought I would never get a paddle shift car.
Last year I test drove a manual V8V and then a S/shift a couple of weeks later. I was sold on the latter after about 10 minutes in the car. However, once I actually found and purchased a S/shift I spent a few months with it mostly in auto mode and just occasional spells with the paddles. I think this was either down to laziness, where I was driving, or the fact that I drive two other auto cars the rest of the time. Anyway, that turned out to be a big mistake which I have now corrected and I use the paddles nearly all the time. I think they are great but there does seem to be a little mental hurdle (for me anyway) you have to go over before you can be completely at home with them.
Also, dropping through the gears as you head towards a corner or roundabout at some knots delivers an aural experience that's a little harder to achieve in a manual
Alan
Mr Overheads said:
Is there any notable difference in the mpg? Manual vs Sportshift using paddles vs Sportshift in Auto
I'd say that driving style has more influence 
Not noticed any difference with mine.
With a more sedate style I'd say yes as the auto shots up the box to get to the highest gear possible as soon as possible
michael gould said:
JaseB said:
I go with keep practising, it took me a while in the DB9 to get comfy with the whole flappy paddle nonsense and I still have a way to go, great fun when it does 'click' though
the DB9 has a standard auto box is not the same as the sports shift Mr Overheads said:
Is there any notable difference in the mpg? Manual vs Sportshift using paddles vs Sportshift in Auto
On my DB9, I was very surprised to see that I was getting better mpg when I used the paddles, despite driving in a more sporty fashion.To the OP, when I first used the paddles it took a while to get used to it. After a while it becomes second nature.
Don
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