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I have a Subaru Outback with a 5 Speed automatic, It is also equipped with paddle shifters, I don't see any need to have these shifters, they are not the same as having a manual with a clutch. Does anybody with a automatic and paddle shifters use them, it seems like it is an unnecessary expense
A lot of high end sports cars have them.. The shifting is much quicker than a manual shift and you get the control of when you want to shift. It gives you more control in less desirable driving conditions which would help you get a little more traction. Its helps reduce transmission wear on the count that you control the shifting rather than the ECU telling the transmission when to change gears.
I have it in my 2011 Honda Accord. I've used it some. It comes in handy if driving conditions are less than desirable. I have no way of putting the car in a low gear unless I put the car in "manual" drive and shift with the paddles. I've used in good conditions as well. Seems like it helps to unlock a little more horsepower with the car. That said, I don't really care much for the paddle shifting. I'd rather they make it to where you could put the car in manual shift with the actual gear shift.
Cadillac ELR has the paddles but instead of shifting they're used for regenerative braking.
They work very well. You can drive it without using the brake pedal much at all.
When I sold cars we had some top of the line Pontiacs that had the paddle shifters and they were viewed as a fun option. The cars computer wouldn't let you do anything to hurt the engine transmission like paddling down to second gear while doing 60mph.
I thought it was a neat option like the heads up display another thing that never really caught on big.
I have 'em in my 2010 Flex. Not a fan. They look ridiculously out of place in a family wagon. I do, however, like the idea of being able to control exactly which gear the vehicle is in (handy for towing and for steep grades), but the same thing could have been accomplished with a rocker switch on the side of the shifter or something equally as discrete.
Location: Butler County Ohio and Winters in Florida
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Ok here takes the cake IMO, I had paddle shifters on my old 2002 Grand Caravan, never used them.
It is not a paddle, but I have a + and - button on my new Taurus's shifter. Also never touched it.
Don't use mine either. Not much use in Florida traffic and the reason I got rid of a standard in the first place but they do make my Kia look more sporty.
I use them when I am on a long downgrade, in order to downshift.
If you don't downshift on a long downgrade, please don't drive in back of me.
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