Paddle Shift

Sh0velMan · 03-26-2013, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zythaxus

The dead hath arisen

I know right?

That said...

Quote:

Originally Posted by arcticreaver

i've used the paddles a few times but since i've never driven a manual or even know how, i tend to not use it. i don't even know when to shift up or down.

I know this guy probably isn't on the forum anymore and likely doesn't even own the Z anymore, but... he may want to consider selling his cars and never driving one ever again, as he seems to be ill equipped for it.

blumango · 03-26-2013, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wstar

Hard to say since the force to click is kind of subjective, so probably nobody knows if theirs feels quite like yours even after your description. It shouldn't be hard at all to rapidly double- or triple- click the paddle shifter with your middle finger (assuming a straight steering wheel, hands at 9/3 -ish, and reasonable adult hand strength).

Hi,

I understand what you mean. It is indeed difficult to describe. But if its like what you mentioned about just using the middle finger, then I think mine should be considerable stiffer. I will need quite a bit of effort just flicking it once if I'm to use only the middle finger....it feels really "sticky"...flicking it a few times quickly will require at least 2 fingers

wstar · 03-26-2013, 11:00 AM

Maybe the previous owner spilled Coca-cola in the paddle hinges or something, who knows

Maybe try to clean them up and lube them.

If you haven't yet, btw, search elsewhere on the forum to download the Service Manual in PDF. The image below is from section "TM", pg 291:

Jordo! · 03-26-2013, 11:44 AM

Anybody ever decide if this was a good idea that worked?

Have a 7AT? The best $2 mod ever!

I forgot all about it and never tried it.

ElVee · 03-26-2013, 12:11 PM

Thread from the grave sent me over to that mod which is a great idea!

With the one Z I have used the paddles on I was surprised at the effort needed to flick them. Then again, current/previous owners I don't think use them. I'm sure I'd get used to the feel, no matter the resistance, with repeated use.

My automatic Eclipse has "sport" mode which lets me control the gears just like the paddles, and I love it. After about a year of owning the car, I tried it out, and never went back. (I also don't know how to drive manual, but I know when to shift...!)

my2004Z · 03-26-2013, 02:17 PM

I have found that keeping the throttle position steady when shifting up or down has a huge impact on how smoothly the automatic reacts to your inputs. Don't approach slow turns in 7th gear or your going to have to wait a few seconds before you can be back in 2nd gear. Some of the issues sound like they are due to driving style and what I would call driver error.

When driving hard I listen to RPMs and feel how much pull I am getting out of the gear. I also try not to shift mid turn as there's enough torque to make you spin out especially if your throttle position is constantly moving. There are a lot of variables that the ECU has to keep track of so the more of them that you keep static while it's working out the shift logic then the better it will perform. Also, low rpm launches are wicked fast in the 7AT once you get the feel for it and keep traction throughout.

Naum16 · 03-27-2013, 12:32 AM

Hey guys I got so much crap for getting a 2009 370z touring SP fully loaded 7AT. I believe the auto is amazing but I mean I don't get it what's so much better I can go into manual mode whenever I want I stead of shifting all the time. I wish there was an auto rev or something but its amazing the way it is. Did I really mess up by getting the 7AT

nmjaxx9 · 03-27-2013, 12:36 AM

The knob is 10X better then the paddles, and putting it in regular D lets u really rip through the gears.

ElVee · 03-27-2013, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Naum16

Hey guys I got so much crap for getting a 2009 370z touring SP fully loaded 7AT. I believe the auto is amazing but I mean I don't get it what's so much better I can go into manual mode whenever I want I stead of shifting all the time. I wish there was an auto rev or something but its amazing the way it is. Did I really mess up by getting the 7AT

No, you went that way I think it should be, so I'm biased.

But if you love driving manual, or someone else loves driving manual, for that feeling of being connected to the road, the experience, and being a part of a powerful machine, then you'll be inclined towards manuals. Also, people who've driven manuals for a very long time so that they could control shifting and power whenever they want may just not have lived with paddles long enough to fall in love with it.

Either way, you didn't mess up at all. Whatever makes you happy is what matters.

blumango · 03-27-2013, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jordo!

Anybody ever decide if this was a good idea that worked?

Have a 7AT? The best $2 mod ever!

I forgot all about it and never tried it.

I am so gonna try this!!! Thanks!

venus · 09-02-2013, 10:33 AM

So what happens if you red line using the paddles? Does it shift up by itself when you go over? Never driven an auto w/ manual option.

wstar · 09-02-2013, 11:20 AM

No, it'll just sit on the rev limiter and bounce off it. The only time it shifts for you in M-mode is it will downshift for you if you let the revs get way too low, as in low enough to lug out the engine, way way underneath the powerband. As long as you're staying on top of things and staying up in the useful RPM range, it acts like a DCT or auto-sequential would.

venus · 09-02-2013, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wstar

No, it'll just sit on the rev limiter and bounce off it. The only time it shifts for you in M-mode is it will downshift for you if you let the revs get way too low, as in low enough to lug out the engine, way way underneath the powerband. As long as you're staying on top of things and staying up in the useful RPM range, it acts like a DCT or auto-sequential would.

On that note, does the engine brake well using compression to slow down like a manual coming to a stop. Hate the coasting of most automatics where man will slow down till it sputteres. I don't use trans to actively brake shifting down but let it assist gently and work it a long w/ brakes. Know what I mean?

wstar · 09-02-2013, 11:23 PM

Yes, the 7AT engine brakes. Mostly, any auto would do so if it were in the right gear, the hard part is making them stay in the right gear.

Jordo! · 09-06-2013, 07:32 PM

At low road speeds, I find anything approaching 1500ish RPM's on coast down or braking is where it likes to automatically down shift. I just flick down as i drop below 1800, and find it to be in the right gear with limited rev matching 90% of the time.

In parking lots or very slow roads (< 30 mph), I usually just keep in in D for ease, otherwise I'm just lumping around in 3rd and dancing between that 2nd and 4th.

It would be nice to turn off the automatic downshift feature, but overall, I'd say the 7AT is a soli 9.5/10 on performance and predictability.

03-26-2013, 11:00 AM	#33 (permalink)
wstar A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 4,024 Drives: too slow Rep Power: 3594	Maybe the previous owner spilled Coca-cola in the paddle hinges or something, who knows Maybe try to clean them up and lube them. If you haven't yet, btw, search elsewhere on the forum to download the Service Manual in PDF. The image below is from section "TM", pg 291: __________________ 7AT Track Car! Journal thread / Car setup details

03-26-2013, 11:44 AM	#34 (permalink)
Jordo! A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: nirvana Posts: 6,394 Drives: 2023 NATM Rep Power: 418	Anybody ever decide if this was a good idea that worked? Have a 7AT? The best $2 mod ever! I forgot all about it and never tried it. Wonka2581 likes this. __________________ Enjoy it. Destroy it.

03-26-2013, 02:17 PM	#36 (permalink)
my2004Z Enthusiast Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: New Mexico, USA Posts: 285 Drives: 09' 370Z w/Sport 7AT Rep Power: 37	I have found that keeping the throttle position steady when shifting up or down has a huge impact on how smoothly the automatic reacts to your inputs. Don't approach slow turns in 7th gear or your going to have to wait a few seconds before you can be back in 2nd gear. Some of the issues sound like they are due to driving style and what I would call driver error. When driving hard I listen to RPMs and feel how much pull I am getting out of the gear. I also try not to shift mid turn as there's enough torque to make you spin out especially if your throttle position is constantly moving. There are a lot of variables that the ECU has to keep track of so the more of them that you keep static while it's working out the shift logic then the better it will perform. Also, low rpm launches are wicked fast in the 7AT once you get the feel for it and keep traction throughout. Streetlife likes this.

09-02-2013, 10:33 AM	#41 (permalink)
venus Base Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: usa Posts: 105 Drives: Datsun 240Z Rep Power: 12	So what happens if you red line using the paddles? Does it shift up by itself when you go over? Never driven an auto w/ manual option. __________________ Finesse is everything.

09-02-2013, 11:20 AM	#42 (permalink)
wstar A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 4,024 Drives: too slow Rep Power: 3594	No, it'll just sit on the rev limiter and bounce off it. The only time it shifts for you in M-mode is it will downshift for you if you let the revs get way too low, as in low enough to lug out the engine, way way underneath the powerband. As long as you're staying on top of things and staying up in the useful RPM range, it acts like a DCT or auto-sequential would. __________________ 7AT Track Car! Journal thread / Car setup details

03-26-2013, 12:11 PM	#35 (permalink)
ElVee Track Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Iowa Posts: 750 Drives: 13 370z 7at t+s grey Rep Power: 16	Thread from the grave sent me over to that mod which is a great idea! With the one Z I have used the paddles on I was surprised at the effort needed to flick them. Then again, current/previous owners I don't think use them. I'm sure I'd get used to the feel, no matter the resistance, with repeated use. My automatic Eclipse has "sport" mode which lets me control the gears just like the paddles, and I love it. After about a year of owning the car, I tried it out, and never went back. (I also don't know how to drive manual, but I know when to shift...!)

03-27-2013, 12:32 AM	#37 (permalink)
Naum16 Base Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: IN Posts: 152 Drives: 09 370z Rep Power: 12	Hey guys I got so much crap for getting a 2009 370z touring SP fully loaded 7AT. I believe the auto is amazing but I mean I don't get it what's so much better I can go into manual mode whenever I want I stead of shifting all the time. I wish there was an auto rev or something but its amazing the way it is. Did I really mess up by getting the 7AT

03-27-2013, 12:36 AM	#38 (permalink)
nmjaxx9 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Middletown, Ct Posts: 5,853 Drives: 2011 Nissan 370z Rep Power: 26	The knob is 10X better then the paddles, and putting it in regular D lets u really rip through the gears.

09-02-2013, 11:23 PM	#44 (permalink)
wstar A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 4,024 Drives: too slow Rep Power: 3594	Yes, the 7AT engine brakes. Mostly, any auto would do so if it were in the right gear, the hard part is making them stay in the right gear. __________________ 7AT Track Car! Journal thread / Car setup details

09-06-2013, 07:32 PM	#45 (permalink)
Jordo! A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: nirvana Posts: 6,394 Drives: 2023 NATM Rep Power: 418	At low road speeds, I find anything approaching 1500ish RPM's on coast down or braking is where it likes to automatically down shift. I just flick down as i drop below 1800, and find it to be in the right gear with limited rev matching 90% of the time. In parking lots or very slow roads (< 30 mph), I usually just keep in in D for ease, otherwise I'm just lumping around in 3rd and dancing between that 2nd and 4th. It would be nice to turn off the automatic downshift feature, but overall, I'd say the 7AT is a soli 9.5/10 on performance and predictability. __________________ Enjoy it. Destroy it.

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