7At and shift paddles. Who uses them?
 

Just curious, but how many of you who have the 7At use the shift paddles every time you drive? Or did most of you who got the 7AT only use it for spirited driving days and leave it in full auto for DD.

Only use it for spirited driving since it doesn't really drive "comfortably" in manual mode. Although I did use it a lot at first to make sure I got used to the system.

Same here, I don't use them daily but once in a while when I am on a good road I'll use them.

It depends on where I'm at and how much traffic there is. If there's a lot of people on the road I just stay in auto and cruise. I use the paddles for highway sprints and back roads. The shifts are firmer in manual mode suitable for spirited driving. To each his own, but for casual driving I just use auto if I'm just trying to get from point A to point B. Isn't that the reason people buy the 7ATs?

x2 That and it's faster :D

i would really like to see how well the 7at on a real track..not the strip...anyone with some experience?

I use the manual mode and the paddles all the time. It took a little getting use to but I've got it working perfectly now. My wife doesn't even realize that I'm changing the gears.

I will use them when I am just buzzing around my town or on a good country road


DAN

I use the paddles as often as I can.

i used it when going downhill,to downshift for engine braking.

There are a few reasons why I got auto but one of them is to have a civilized ride when I am on a highway or city. It goes into manual as soon as I hit a curvy road.

All I kno is I ordered a 7a/t n I can't wait. :) I took, 4 hour long test drives in a 370z as well.
I think the 7a/t is such a rush for an automatic. I never thought I would find an auto this good.
I think I will be using paddles all the time?

In 3000 miles I have never touched the paddles. I'm going to have to try and figure them out one day.

You're missing out. You gotta try them.

Since I can drive stick shift, will that make it easier to master the paddles, make it more difficult, or not matter at all ?

Shoudn't have anything to do with whether you can drive stick or not.Just a matter of getting used to manually shifting using the paddle.Have driven cars with the paddles and it is kind of cool.Gives you the option and when you are in the mood its alot of fun.

It helps to know when to down/up shift. Other than that, it's just getting used to.

Its just like a manual in terms of shifting without the clutch. Start off using the stick jus to get familiar with your shift points. As soon as your shift points come natural. Use the paddles. Learning str8 off paddles can be confusing at 1st.

All Manual Mode, No Automatic Mode
 

It's a manual without a clutch, that's the way I look at it. I got 10,000 miles on my car. All of it in manual mode, a total of maybe 20 miles in automatic. Just have more control in manual mode, plus I love how it blips the throttle when downshifting. Also lowered it, spaced the wheels 15mm front and rear, Jim Wolf POP charger intakes, tinted the windows, and 3M clear bra on the front.

I only use the auto mode on the highway. I'm so used to driving manual cars that I get annoyed when the auto shifts when I wouldn't have (which is almost always). I can't seem to drive an auto smoothly either.

My wife drives it like most of you though. Auto by default, manual mode for enthusiastic driving. She's never owned a real manual car.

The only difficulty using the paddles compared to a manual is that it is too easy. I found it changes better with revs up from 3500 to 4500.

love it drive my G37 in DS all the time and find myself using the paddles and the shifter.

I use mine daily, only use auto mode when someone older (like a relative) is in the passenger seat...

Have there been any tests comparing manual vs. auto in terms of drag racing and track lap times?

Only use mine when the road permits , they are awesome. would not use them in traffic , downshift is jerky.(doing what is supposed to do) i'm too old to be shifting just like cruising but this is the best of both worlds !!

So far, I have only been able to confirm that auto is faster in a straight line. Kind of hard to compare on a track since one driver may be better than another.

In city I use auto and in highways - if I want play with the speed and acceleration - I use paddles.

But what is DD ?

(Sorry, I am from Hungary and some of the abbrevations I do not understand...)

DD = daily driving

Thank you Bluzman !

:)

You're welcome. :tup:

Do non-sport's have paddles?

Yes.

I don't regret my choice of manual, but I wish I drove an auto sport spiritedly. It's FASTER in the straight-line.

the paddles come in handy where you can downshift thru turns to stay in ur powerband or if u need to stay in a certain gear for....