Thread: Paddle shifters - when do you use them?

Hi Peter.
I have a MY14 with the 8 speed auto and paddle shift also.
I use the paddles very rarely but have found them useful when towing to hold a gear in undulating terrain. I have also used them on the beach when the D4 wanted to hold a lower gear but it was a more pleasant drive to go up a gear and use the torque to power through.

Cheers,
Chris

I often used them on my D4's 6-speed to up-shift early to use torque rather than revs and do the same with the 8-speed on my RRV, almost never to down-shift.

Had 'em in a couple of cars, never used 'em.
Pickles.

How about to hold it in first gear or second gear, while in low range? Maybe you guys aren't taking them offroad enough.

Rarely use the paddles.
If I do, it's often by accident.
SWMBO for some reason is always bumping the paddles, and has decided the only way to undo the D4 being stuck in gear is to pull over, turn off and restart. This is despite being advised a number of times the proper way to undo her inadvertent gear selection. Sigh.
Ron

Originally Posted by Graeme

I often used them on my D4's 6-speed to up-shift early to use torque rather than revs and do the same with the 8-speed on my RRV, almost never to down-shift.

I find that I am using the up-shift function quite often on a certain 50 km/h stretch of road to and from work each morning/afternoon. The 'box wants to stay in whatever gear is almost 2,000 rpm, so I up-shift into a more comfortable 1,300 rpm. It doesn't object and try to go back down a gear, so we both seem to be happy with my selection.

When do I use paddles?

a) Barrelling down the inside lane of a roundabout trying to get ahead of the bloke in the F250 blocking everybody. Every second counts.

b) Italian tune up on the acceleration ramp. Doesn't everyone do this?

c) Seriously, use them as you wish, common sense of course. They're good when you need to change but don't want to take hands off the wheel. We've had them for years in various cars, and now miss them if they're not there. I don't use them all the time, I switch between drive, sport and paddles, and I like having the choice.

I use it to hold a speed on steep decents,rather than the brakes.
Not used the D4 alot off road yet,really enjoyed using the paddleshift to keep it in the gear I wanted on steep up and down sand tracks,brilliant!!!
Andrew