Thread: Paddle shifting

I have the six speed but when I want to overtake I just put the foot flat and hang on; it really gets up and goes and you are not on the wrong side of the road for long. As the engine will be warm it will do no harm; in fact it will do it the world of good.

Originally Posted by Mark56

Hi Guys,
New D4 is only 800 klms old and about to head off to Narooma for the annual golf week away.After Cann river the road has many caravans,boats etc slowing the already 9 hr trip down.The 155/520nm engine seems powerful enough but will be carrying 4 blokes and all our gear.For quick overtaking does anybody pull it back to 7th or 6th via the paddles or are they just a gimmick?Sports mode on the fly could make the 2.8 tons get going in a rush or just be patient kick down and GO.Am looking forward to the drive and will experiment with all its drive options.Am not one to sit behind an 85klm/hr van for too long.
Cheers Mark

I have been trying to work out the same on the SDV6, such a nice engine between 3-4000rpm it goes so not had a need for sports mode yet! Think the paddles may only get used in low range for more control over drive. Biggest challenge is not wanting to floor it, fuel consumption shows 12.2l/100 after 600km.

Originally Posted by Mark56

Hi Guys,
New D4 is only 800 klms old and about to head off to Narooma for the annual golf week away.After Cann river the road has many caravans,boats etc slowing the already 9 hr trip down.The 155/520nm engine seems powerful enough but will be carrying 4 blokes and all our gear.For quick overtaking does anybody pull it back to 7th or 6th via the paddles or are they just a gimmick?Sports mode on the fly could make the 2.8 tons get going in a rush or just be patient kick down and GO.Am looking forward to the drive and will experiment with all its drive options.Am not one to sit behind an 85klm/hr van for too long.
Cheers Mark

Hi Mark,

Sports mode is better for running it in as it helps avoid some of the engine laboring, it is definitely more responsive to kick downs and provides better engine braking with heavy brake application. I mainly use the paddles for downhill engine assisted brake (wish it had a jake brake actually-potential project) and for the bendy bits to hold the right revs for exiting the chicanes etc...

In respect to paddles for overtaking, the gearbox and gadgetry is better left to manage your right pedal input, leaving you to steer the thing and watch for hazards... just my thoughts, and it seems to work better than me trying to keep it the optimum torque band...
Have a safe trip!

I use my home-grown paddles on my 6-speed primarily to upshift early on light throttle but occasionally just before overtaking to prevent auto downshift of 2 gears.

We have just come home from Canberra, via Mt Kosiosko, down Alpine Valley Way.

I used the paddles the whole way down, changing between 3rd up to 6th, and down again.

On the flats, especially on the highway, I just use the right foot.

The car can work it out faster & better than me. If you are behind someone doing 85km/h, the car will probably be in 6th already. Check the road, indicate, plant the boot, hold on for dear life, and I bet you will be north of the legal limit without realising

The 8 speed is great out on the open road, and on a long, flat road, I would expect fuel figures around 9l/100km. I have done it 5 up, with a boot FULL of luggage.

Never mind 1 or 2 skips,pressing - and flooring it will give you the lowest gear possible.I do like the sport position in the city Just watch how the tacho needle works under a heavy foot
Reasearch initiated to make sure the engine isnt being too lazy
Andrew

Originally Posted by Basil135

We have just come home from Canberra, via Mt Kosiosko, down Alpine Valley Way.

I used the paddles the whole way down, changing between 3rd up to 6th, and down again.

On the flats, especially on the highway, I just use the right foot.

The car can work it out faster & better than me. If you are behind someone doing 85km/h, the car will probably be in 6th already. Check the road, indicate, plant the boot, hold on for dear life, and I bet you will be north of the legal limit without realising

The 8 speed is great out on the open road, and on a long, flat road, I would expect fuel figures around 9l/100km. I have done it 5 up, with a boot FULL of luggage.

Not used the paddles to slow the D4,must try.expect they will be handy when towing.

Have used the + to ask for less revs,you will be surprised how much the ECU uses 6th and 7th when it doesnt need to.or I think it doesnt need too
Andrew

Hi Mark,
I used mine to mod the rev range while running in. In normal auto mode after a paddle shift it will change back to 'D' after about five seconds if left alone. In 'S' it wont change back to auto after the paddle shift unless you do hold the up paddle. I have been caught out holding a gear when using shift in 'S' mode. As mentioned above this is also good to save labouring the engine such as going up inclines, as it will pull in eight gear.
I now use the paddles all the time in 'D' for lane changing when cruising along and wanting to slip in or pass. Tap the blinker (3 blink) and then the paddle shift down (quite easy to do as they are both on the same side) and it will change down two or three gears in one move, meaning you are right on the throttle when you want it with no delay. As soon as the move is done, I now find it natural to hold the change up paddle shift for the two or three seconds to get it back to auto 'D'. This way I don't have to concentrate on revs or gears. One tap down, on it and then hold up. Hey presto, back in auto, mind on the road. I travel mostly in 'D' so the quick shift down is great. I really only use 'S' (no shifting) around town to keep her awake.