Paddle Shift

Cyberium · 04-01-2009, 11:09 PM

Hey, I'm a proud new owner of a 370z Touring 7 speed AT and just wanted to get some feedback from other AT owners.

When you guys are in manual mode, do you hold the gas down as you shift up through the gears and not let off or do you guys treat it as a "real" manual and hit the gas, let off the gas then shift, and then hit the gas again as your going up through the gears?

Mine is still brand new and under 100 miles so I haven't really done anything too exciting yet, but I've been holding the gas down and not letting off and shifting and it pulls HARD. I love it. Just wanted some feedback from fellow owners.

And does anyone else feel that the full auto mode is sluggish as hell? I mean, I realize there are 7 gears it's going through but I've had automatics before and it just seems really sluggish to me.

2bits · 04-02-2009, 01:46 AM

Like any other auto, you don't need to lift the throttle. Manual mode just means you are telling it when to shift, but the mechanics are the same as Auto mode.

Yes, in auto mode under light throttle, the shifts are slower and smoother. I don't think shifts are any slower than other autos I've driven. I've also noticed that shifts are quick in manual mode under aggressive throttle. Kinda a jeckle/hyde thing.

wstar · 04-02-2009, 08:39 AM

The Auto definitely has a mind of its own at times it seems. It's going to take some learning and adaptation on our part to get it to always do what you expect. I think especially coming from a manual before, some of my habits have made it less smooth. I think too much change in accelerator pedal position in mid-shift actually confuses it on upshifts, from my experiences so far.

You can get very jerky or very long delayed upshifts by messing with the gas pedal between the time you hit the shift paddle and the time the next gear engages. I mostly see this at the end of a hard acceleration when I'm trying to upshift to the next gear and drop the pedal back to coast at current speed. I'm still experimenting with mine and trying to learn how to get it to always act the way I want it to.

On the other hand, common operations like flooring the pedal while requesting a downshift, or downshifting for (reasonable, not too aggressive) engine braking seem to always work pretty flawlessly as expected.

arcticreaver · 04-02-2009, 12:25 PM

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.

SoCal 370Z · 04-02-2009, 01:18 PM

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.

Simply start by using the paddles without engaging the console shifter into manual mode that way the car will automatically adjust matters for you either way. When you have built-up enough confidence try using the console shifter manually as it is a real kick-in-the-pants, especially for an automatic. Nissan did a great job with this transmission.

ZCarGo · 04-02-2009, 04:33 PM

No matter which way you cut it, the paddle shifters are nowhere near what a manual will feel like. It's difficult to paddle down into a curve, especially if you want to drop from 6th or 7th to 3rd or 2nd and ease off the clutch and apply gas as you are moving through the curve. It's really difficult to get the down shift to the right gear when you are worried about paying attention to the curve and can't look at the damn display. Sometimes I depress the paddle three times and it only drops two gears, sometimes more...WTF??

Since the transmission is always engaged, it revs up to the appropriate level, but it's definately not the same as a manual when you have so much more control through turns.

The one place where the paddle shifters are good is when you are at highway speed and you want to pass. Paddle down one or to gears and floor it as your passing. Instant power is ready and it feels like you've got a rocket up your a$$. This is the only time it really feels like a manual.

The paddels will let you wind out your gears further if you're accelerating from a stop, but I haven't really felt that much of a difference in performance. The engine is a lot louder, but not necessarily faster, although I haven't timed it. I can say that without using the paddles, the shift into 7th is around 120mph at around 7K RPM, so it still winds those gears out pretty good in auto mode.

-ZCarGo-

GeneralZod · 04-02-2009, 05:30 PM

I have been so far undecided on the tranny I will go with and the major reason is that I have yet to hear whether you can accomplish a high rev launch from a standstill with the AT. Is there any way to keep it in a neutral gear, up the revs, and then drop it in? Can you hold down the shift paddle or both shift paddles or something to keep it form engaging right off the bat?

ZCarGo · 04-03-2009, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeneralZod

I have been so far undecided on the tranny I will go with and the major reason is that I have yet to hear whether you can accomplish a high rev launch from a standstill with the AT. Is there any way to keep it in a neutral gear, up the revs, and then drop it in? Can you hold down the shift paddle or both shift paddles or something to keep it form engaging right off the bat?

Haven't attempted this yet. More than likely, if you did this, the tires will spin and the computer will shut the engine down into impotent mode..that is unless you pressed the anti-slip button to disengage, but then all you're doing is spending money on extra tires. Often, if the tires aren't warmed up and I floor it in auto mode from a dead stop, the wheels will begin to slip and the computer will throttle down the engine.

Just face it, it's an auto tranny with a little bit of fun to it. If I didn't travel 100miles round trip in traffic for my commute I would have gotten the manual tranny. They are a heck of a lot more fun and give you the control your looking for.

My advice is to buy the manual if you don't use the car as a long commuter or aren't in a lot of stop/go traffic. If you are, the AT is a great transmission. It's very smooth and fairly responsive, especially if you downshift with the paddles prior to flooring it.

-ZCarGo-

ChrisSlicks · 04-03-2009, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeneralZod

I have been so far undecided on the tranny I will go with and the major reason is that I have yet to hear whether you can accomplish a high rev launch from a standstill with the AT. Is there any way to keep it in a neutral gear, up the revs, and then drop it in? Can you hold down the shift paddle or both shift paddles or something to keep it form engaging right off the bat?

One of the test reviews for the AT I saw they got the best results by holding the brake pedal with the left foot and revving it to around 1400 rpm.

wstar · 04-06-2009, 05:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZCarGo

No matter which way you cut it, the paddle shifters are nowhere near what a manual will feel like. It's difficult to paddle down into a curve, especially if you want to drop from 6th or 7th to 3rd or 2nd and ease off the clutch and apply gas as you are moving through the curve. It's really difficult to get the down shift to the right gear when you are worried about paying attention to the curve and can't look at the damn display. Sometimes I depress the paddle three times and it only drops two gears, sometimes more...WTF??

Since the transmission is always engaged, it revs up to the appropriate level, but it's definately not the same as a manual when you have so much more control through turns.

Some of this is a matter of adapting how and when you use the M-mode. If you need to drop 3 gears that fast, you were at low rpms to begin with. Start downshifting earlier and stay in the power band

I find that when driving aggressively and keeping the revs up, shifting through corners is very natural for me with the 7AT. If you're in 6 or 7 coming into a tight corner, you may as well just have left it in "D"

Another interesting thing about technique with flipping between D and M is initial gear selection. If you've been cruising at any reasonable highway-ish speed, "D" will be in 7th gear at the time. However, if you flip the lever over to "M" at that point, it immediately downshifts to 5 before giving you control (on the assumption you're taking over to downshift into a corner I guess). In situations where you don't want that, simply click the upshift paddle first before flipping the shift knob to M, and you'll stay in 7 through the transition. In general, it's easiest to make the D-to-M transition by first using the paddles in D (which "temporarily" puts it in M-mode) and then flipping the shifter to M, as it avoids surprise gear changes.

arcticreaver · 04-06-2009, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wstar

Some of this is a matter of adapting how and when you use the M-mode. If you need to drop 3 gears that fast, you were at low rpms to begin with. Start downshifting earlier and stay in the power band

I find that when driving aggressively and keeping the revs up, shifting through corners is very natural for me with the 7AT. If you're in 6 or 7 coming into a tight corner, you may as well just have left it in "D"

Another interesting thing about technique with flipping between D and M is initial gear selection. If you've been cruising at any reasonable highway-ish speed, "D" will be in 7th gear at the time. However, if you flip the lever over to "M" at that point, it immediately downshifts to 5 before giving you control (on the assumption you're taking over to downshift into a corner I guess). In situations where you don't want that, simply click the upshift paddle first before flipping the shift knob to M, and you'll stay in 7 through the transition. In general, it's easiest to make the D-to-M transition by first using the paddles in D (which "temporarily" puts it in M-mode) and then flipping the shifter to M, as it avoids surprise gear changes.

actually that's what i'm doing, just upshifting and not really trying to downshift. so when i need to down shift i just slap it back to D. but i don't do this a lot.

joeyz10 · 04-06-2009, 12:33 PM

Hey Wstar that all makes sense and thanks for your input. Appreciate it. Nice to know that it is not only my car that is doing that jolt thing. I always drive stick so this is something new to me but I will get used to it just like you guys are. I am around 1400 miles now and wlays driving hard......

Sh0velMan · 03-26-2013, 07:57 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.

puckman77 · 04-05-2009, 04:13 PM

If I end up getting rid of my M for this Z it will have to be the AT. My wife complains that she can't drive the M (great way to keep the car in top shape!) because it is manual. I'm trying my best to keep peace while driving something fun on the weekends.

C6Z06dude · 04-05-2009, 11:55 PM

Don't feel bad about your friends talking smack on your auto, let the car prove itself in the track. I am done with manual cars, I find more and more atractive the new modern autos. I don't blame you with your auto, I lived in San Antonio and the traffic on the 410 loop is aweful.

What package do you have?, base or Sport? Those are quick times

04-01-2009, 11:09 PM	#1 (permalink)
Cyberium Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Vermont Posts: 379 Drives: 370z Touring \| Sport Rep Power: 17	Paddle Shift Hey, I'm a proud new owner of a 370z Touring 7 speed AT and just wanted to get some feedback from other AT owners. When you guys are in manual mode, do you hold the gas down as you shift up through the gears and not let off or do you guys treat it as a "real" manual and hit the gas, let off the gas then shift, and then hit the gas again as your going up through the gears? Mine is still brand new and under 100 miles so I haven't really done anything too exciting yet, but I've been holding the gas down and not letting off and shifting and it pulls HARD. I love it. Just wanted some feedback from fellow owners. And does anyone else feel that the full auto mode is sluggish as hell? I mean, I realize there are 7 gears it's going through but I've had automatics before and it just seems really sluggish to me.

04-02-2009, 08:39 AM	#3 (permalink)
wstar A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 4,024 Drives: too slow Rep Power: 3595	The Auto definitely has a mind of its own at times it seems. It's going to take some learning and adaptation on our part to get it to always do what you expect. I think especially coming from a manual before, some of my habits have made it less smooth. I think too much change in accelerator pedal position in mid-shift actually confuses it on upshifts, from my experiences so far. You can get very jerky or very long delayed upshifts by messing with the gas pedal between the time you hit the shift paddle and the time the next gear engages. I mostly see this at the end of a hard acceleration when I'm trying to upshift to the next gear and drop the pedal back to coast at current speed. I'm still experimenting with mine and trying to learn how to get it to always act the way I want it to. On the other hand, common operations like flooring the pedal while requesting a downshift, or downshifting for (reasonable, not too aggressive) engine braking seem to always work pretty flawlessly as expected. __________________ 7AT Track Car! Journal thread / Car setup details

04-02-2009, 12:25 PM	#4 (permalink)
arcticreaver Track Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Arcadia, CA Posts: 769 Drives: 2009 Z34 7AT PG Rep Power: 925	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. Limeybastard likes this.

04-02-2009, 04:33 PM	#6 (permalink)
ZCarGo Base Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 78 Drives: 09 Nissan 370 CY A7 Rep Power: 189	No matter which way you cut it, the paddle shifters are nowhere near what a manual will feel like. It's difficult to paddle down into a curve, especially if you want to drop from 6th or 7th to 3rd or 2nd and ease off the clutch and apply gas as you are moving through the curve. It's really difficult to get the down shift to the right gear when you are worried about paying attention to the curve and can't look at the damn display. Sometimes I depress the paddle three times and it only drops two gears, sometimes more...WTF?? Since the transmission is always engaged, it revs up to the appropriate level, but it's definately not the same as a manual when you have so much more control through turns. The one place where the paddle shifters are good is when you are at highway speed and you want to pass. Paddle down one or to gears and floor it as your passing. Instant power is ready and it feels like you've got a rocket up your a$$. This is the only time it really feels like a manual. The paddels will let you wind out your gears further if you're accelerating from a stop, but I haven't really felt that much of a difference in performance. The engine is a lot louder, but not necessarily faster, although I haven't timed it. I can say that without using the paddles, the shift into 7th is around 120mph at around 7K RPM, so it still winds those gears out pretty good in auto mode. -ZCarGo- zpuddmaster likes this.

04-05-2009, 04:13 PM	#14 (permalink)
puckman77 Base Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Connecticut Posts: 22 Drives: 09 Z Blue AT T/S/NAV Rep Power: 17	If I end up getting rid of my M for this Z it will have to be the AT. My wife complains that she can't drive the M (great way to keep the car in top shape!) because it is manual. I'm trying my best to keep peace while driving something fun on the weekends. Limeybastard and zpuddmaster like this.

04-02-2009, 01:46 AM	#2 (permalink)
2bits Base Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Seattle Posts: 118 Drives: 09 370Z Blk Sp 7AT Rep Power: 17	Like any other auto, you don't need to lift the throttle. Manual mode just means you are telling it when to shift, but the mechanics are the same as Auto mode. Yes, in auto mode under light throttle, the shifts are slower and smoother. I don't think shifts are any slower than other autos I've driven. I've also noticed that shifts are quick in manual mode under aggressive throttle. Kinda a jeckle/hyde thing.

04-02-2009, 05:30 PM	#7 (permalink)
GeneralZod Base Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: So Cal Posts: 8 Drives: 1995 240 Rep Power: 17	I have been so far undecided on the tranny I will go with and the major reason is that I have yet to hear whether you can accomplish a high rev launch from a standstill with the AT. Is there any way to keep it in a neutral gear, up the revs, and then drop it in? Can you hold down the shift paddle or both shift paddles or something to keep it form engaging right off the bat?

04-06-2009, 12:33 PM	#12 (permalink)
joeyz10 Base Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: SoCal Posts: 248 Drives: 09 370z AT/ RRSS 08/ Rep Power: 17	Hey Wstar that all makes sense and thanks for your input. Appreciate it. Nice to know that it is not only my car that is doing that jolt thing. I always drive stick so this is something new to me but I will get used to it just like you guys are. I am around 1400 miles now and wlays driving hard......

04-05-2009, 11:55 PM	#15 (permalink)
C6Z06dude Base Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 17 Drives: 08 C6 Z06 Rep Power: 17	Don't feel bad about your friends talking smack on your auto, let the car prove itself in the track. I am done with manual cars, I find more and more atractive the new modern autos. I don't blame you with your auto, I lived in San Antonio and the traffic on the 410 loop is aweful. What package do you have?, base or Sport? Those are quick times __________________ 08 C6 Z06 501whp/480lb-tq(Dynojet) light mods 95 GSX Eclipse 409whp/360lb-tq(Mustnag Dyno AWD) 11.6@119 @3100ft elevation 07 GLI 228whp/290lb-tq Mustang Dyno

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