Paddle Shifting Question

OldGuy · 01-24-2010, 11:06 AM

We got a very welcome and well deserved touch of spring weather here in PA yesterday and took my new Z out for a short ride. I tried paddle shifting for the first time. Very nice. It eliminates much of the incessant upshifting and downshifting the automatic does and enables me to accomplish the upshift or dowshift when I want. It's more like a manual in that I can "wind it out" just a little, even though I guess I'm losing out on that fuel efficiency calculated to be accomplished by the shift points built into the automatic transmission. I like them both at their respective appropriate times and circumstances. My question is, Must I take my foot off the gas when I paddle shift up, as I do with my 5 speed Miata or do I just keep my foort on the gas through the paddle shift change, as though it were the automatic tranny shifting as I accelerate up? Don't want to injure the car but taking my foot off the gas when I shift up makes for a little bit of a jerky ride?
Two nice things to report:
1) Bought my first tank of gas and each and everyone of the little red lights lites up.
2) Opened the hatch when I left and when I got home. It opened on the first try, as it almost always does---so far!
I love my little red Z!

theDreamer · 01-24-2010, 11:07 AM

Keep your foot down.

frost · 01-24-2010, 11:08 AM

I don't take my foot off.

4r3s · 01-24-2010, 11:11 AM

I havent really played with the paddles yet too much kind of waiting till the engine break in is done, but the dealer told me you dont need to take your foot off the gas when shifting. I bet the owner's manual might say something about this for a better answer.

OldGuy · 01-24-2010, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4r3s

I havent really played with the paddles yet too much kind of waiting till the engine break in is done, but the dealer told me you dont need to take your foot off the gas when shifting. I bet the owner's manual might say something about this for a better answer.

Actually I looked and to my surprise it didn't seem to address the point---unless I overlooked it. But the responses indicate that you keep your food on the accelerator through the upshifts.

antman22 · 01-24-2010, 12:28 PM

you can keep your foot on the gas while you upshift/downshift. the car is still ultimately an automatic so it'll handle all the shifting.

rudi · 01-24-2010, 04:46 PM

I use the manual mode all the time and always keep my foot on the gas when upshifting. Downshifting you would be decelerating or breaking so you would naturally be of the gas.

frost · 01-24-2010, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rudi

I use the manual mode all the time and always keep my foot on the gas when upshifting. Downshifting you would be decelerating or breaking so you would naturally be of the gas.

Not necessarily. You downshift to speed up too.

rudi · 01-24-2010, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frost

Not necessarily. You downshift to speed up too.

Yes, you do to.

frost · 01-24-2010, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rudi

Yes, you do to.

Trips · 01-24-2010, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rudi

I use the manual mode all the time and always keep my foot on the gas when upshifting. Downshifting you would be decelerating or breaking so you would naturally be of the gas.

frost · 01-24-2010, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triple's

Rofl, am I the only one who downshifts while mashing the gas to pass people? (Or get away from angry husbands?)

Trips · 01-24-2010, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frost

Rofl, am I the only one who downshifts while mashing the gas to pass people? (Or get away from angry husbands?)

YES!!!!!

frost · 01-24-2010, 05:03 PM

There's no poon like "danger poon"

Trips · 01-24-2010, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frost

There's no poon like "danger poon"

Your driving technique is reasonable if the Husbands chasing you down and is firing at you!

01-24-2010, 11:06 AM	#1 (permalink)
OldGuy Base Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Greensburg PA Posts: 899 Drives: '09370Z Red Base A7 Rep Power: 16	Paddle Shifting Question We got a very welcome and well deserved touch of spring weather here in PA yesterday and took my new Z out for a short ride. I tried paddle shifting for the first time. Very nice. It eliminates much of the incessant upshifting and downshifting the automatic does and enables me to accomplish the upshift or dowshift when I want. It's more like a manual in that I can "wind it out" just a little, even though I guess I'm losing out on that fuel efficiency calculated to be accomplished by the shift points built into the automatic transmission. I like them both at their respective appropriate times and circumstances. My question is, Must I take my foot off the gas when I paddle shift up, as I do with my 5 speed Miata or do I just keep my foort on the gas through the paddle shift change, as though it were the automatic tranny shifting as I accelerate up? Don't want to injure the car but taking my foot off the gas when I shift up makes for a little bit of a jerky ride? Two nice things to report: 1) Bought my first tank of gas and each and everyone of the little red lights lites up. 2) Opened the hatch when I left and when I got home. It opened on the first try, as it almost always does---so far! I love my little red Z!

01-24-2010, 11:07 AM	#2 (permalink)
theDreamer A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 30,879 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 4210	Keep your foot down. __________________ theDreamer's Z // Fast Intentions // Uprev // GTM // HKS // TEIN theDreamer's Silvia // URAS // GREDDY Houston Zs // Facebook // Twitter // Instagram

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01-24-2010, 11:08 AM	#3 (permalink)
frost Retired admin Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Winterfell Posts: 106,613 Drives: Your Wife Crazy Rep Power: 0	I don't take my foot off.

01-24-2010, 11:11 AM	#4 (permalink)
4r3s A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: MD Posts: 2,077 Drives: Touring 370z Rep Power: 24	I havent really played with the paddles yet too much kind of waiting till the engine break in is done, but the dealer told me you dont need to take your foot off the gas when shifting. I bet the owner's manual might say something about this for a better answer.

01-24-2010, 12:28 PM	#6 (permalink)
antman22 Track Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 597 Drives: 09 PG 370z 7AT Rep Power: 16	you can keep your foot on the gas while you upshift/downshift. the car is still ultimately an automatic so it'll handle all the shifting.

01-24-2010, 04:46 PM	#7 (permalink)
rudi Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 306 Drives: 370Z Australian Spec Rep Power: 16	I use the manual mode all the time and always keep my foot on the gas when upshifting. Downshifting you would be decelerating or breaking so you would naturally be of the gas.

01-24-2010, 05:03 PM	#14 (permalink)
frost Retired admin Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Winterfell Posts: 106,613 Drives: Your Wife Crazy Rep Power: 0	There's no poon like "danger poon"