Paddle Shifters vs Shift Lever

370zBoyz · 10-16-2017, 07:13 AM

Hey guys, for those that own the automatic do you guys mainly use the paddle shifters or the shift lever, or half and half, or just leave it in auto/drive?

I tend to use the paddle shifters more than the shift lever. The paddle shifters have a nice solid feel and click when you shift with them.

The lever just doesn't feel right...it looks exactly like a real automatic shift lever..probably that is why people did the shift boot mode for it. What I mean is on the FR-S it had a shift boot and the knob looked exactly like the manual so I used that to mainly shift in manual mode. The paddle shifters were tiny on the FR-S though so I bought it paddle shifter extensions.

mlsully · 10-16-2017, 08:00 AM

The paddle shifters just feel uncomfortable to me, so I always use the stick lever. I shortened the shaft by about 3/4" and have a GTR shift knob. Looks and feels better than the stock auto knob.

Array · 10-16-2017, 08:44 AM

Paddles if im spirited driving, Knob if im daily driving

JARblue · 10-16-2017, 10:12 AM

I drove a friend's AT Z on track at the Nissan Performance Academy a number of years back. Having never used them at speed before, the paddle shifters had me all befuddled, plus I found it odd that they don't turn with the steering wheel. I accidentally hit the wiper stalk once during a shift and the wiper blade bent up against the GoPro mounted suction cupped to the windshield

After that experience, I just stick to manual transmissions (pun intended

)

old guy · 10-16-2017, 03:29 PM

Daily drive = shifter on the dragon or canyon = paddles

MCDX · 10-17-2017, 01:27 AM

Daily drive = auto mode or paddles
Real driving = paddles only

Nothing better than both hands on the wheel, when slamming the brakes and requiring 2nd gear for the next hairpin. IMHO that's the main advantage of paddles compared to any manual.

I actually almost forgot, that you can also use the lever to shift.
For my brain and logic, the up/down should be inverted though anyway. (Like any real sequential gear box...)

Silly Rabbit · 10-17-2017, 08:01 AM

Paddles for me. I don't use the lever. I use manual mode most of the time. I can't stand Nissan's opinion on when to shift and the cars lust for getting to 7th gear ASAP. I mean, really, do I need to be in 7th gear by the time I'm doing 40mph? My main problem with the automatic is the auto mode is terrible.

For anyone that uses the lever for shifting. This looks like a pretty simple mod that makes sense. When I have used the level, it always seemed backwards to me. Reverse Lever Mod.

Fuzzzy · 10-17-2017, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silly Rabbit

Paddles for me. I don't use the lever. I use manual mode most of the time. I can't stand Nissan's opinion on when to shift and the cars lust for getting to 7th gear ASAP. I mean, really, do I need to be in 7th gear by the time I'm doing 40mph? My main problem with the automatic is the auto mode is terrible.

For anyone that uses the lever for shifting. This looks like a pretty simple mod that makes sense. When I have used the level, it always seemed backwards to me. Reverse Lever Mod.

Same. I never had paddles before so was reluctant to use them. The lever was completely counter-intuitive.

I have since used the paddles and much prefer them. But I do leave it in auto mode the vast majority of the time.

Leingod · 10-18-2017, 08:28 AM

I just shift with my short throw dipstick. Taffyapples...

Zingston · 10-18-2017, 08:58 AM

Auto mode while in Florida... Paddles in NC mountains.

Zat_Zuma · 10-18-2017, 11:03 AM

Both?

Leave it in auto mode and downshift with the paddle shifter.

Love the sound of the FI exhaust downshifting lol

Kroy · 10-19-2017, 05:50 PM

I feel more natural using the shift levels. I probably use stick 75% of the time.

I even did the wiring mod so it shifts like BMW. Feels much more intuitive.

Tractionless · 10-25-2017, 02:34 PM

Extended paddles here, downshift always with paddle, upshift with paddle only when both hands are on the wheel; otherwise my right hand falls on the G37 sport shift lever (which feels much like an OE shift ball) and upshift with that.

I also like downshifting with the paddle in auto mode and letting the ECu take back over when not particularly driving "sporty."

Spoiler · 10-25-2017, 05:44 PM

Auto mode as my daily routine around town. Paddles when I hit the twistys

markesc · 10-29-2017, 11:05 AM

paddles when I'm setting up a series of corners I like having both hands on the wheel in the event I need to counter-steer unexpectedly, plus, this car tramlines on certain types of pavement especially under heavy braking.

View Poll Results: Do you use the paddle shifters or the shift lever?
Paddle Shifters	19	45.24%
Shift Lever	7	16.67%
Both 50/50	10	23.81%
Neither-Auto/Drive mode	6	14.29%
Voters: 42. You may not vote on this poll

10-16-2017, 07:13 AM	#1 (permalink)
370zBoyz Base Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Driver seat Posts: 207 Drives: Nismo Rep Power: 7214	Paddle Shifters vs Shift Lever Hey guys, for those that own the automatic do you guys mainly use the paddle shifters or the shift lever, or half and half, or just leave it in auto/drive? I tend to use the paddle shifters more than the shift lever. The paddle shifters have a nice solid feel and click when you shift with them. The lever just doesn't feel right...it looks exactly like a real automatic shift lever..probably that is why people did the shift boot mode for it. What I mean is on the FR-S it had a shift boot and the knob looked exactly like the manual so I used that to mainly shift in manual mode. The paddle shifters were tiny on the FR-S though so I bought it paddle shifter extensions.

10-16-2017, 08:44 AM	#3 (permalink)
Array Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: home.jpg Posts: 286 Drives: '12 Pearly White Rep Power: 11	Paddles if im spirited driving, Knob if im daily driving Wheels3309 likes this. __________________ 2012 370z 7AT- ES2 with PSS, K&N Drop-ins, LED's all around, Berk HFC, FI CBE non-res, KW V1's 2003 A4 5MT- The Beater

10-16-2017, 10:12 AM	#4 (permalink)
JARblue A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Austin, TX Age: 44 Posts: 36,450 Drives: 11 Z34, 98 E36 M3 Rep Power: 2684441	I drove a friend's AT Z on track at the Nissan Performance Academy a number of years back. Having never used them at speed before, the paddle shifters had me all befuddled, plus I found it odd that they don't turn with the steering wheel. I accidentally hit the wiper stalk once during a shift and the wiper blade bent up against the GoPro mounted suction cupped to the windshield After that experience, I just stick to manual transmissions (pun intended ) Rusty, cooltoy, Wonka2581 and 2 others like this. __________________ 2011 370Z 6MT Sport Gun Metallic \| ARC \| CJM \| Ecutek \| FI \| Fujimura \| R2C \| SPL \| Stillen \| TWM \| Z1 \| ZSpeed \|

10-16-2017, 03:29 PM	#5 (permalink)
old guy A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: S.E. Michigan Age: 68 Posts: 2,711 Drives: 13 magma touring Rep Power: 2684370	Daily drive = shifter on the dragon or canyon = paddles jchammond likes this.

10-16-2017, 08:00 AM	#2 (permalink)
mlsully Base Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Baton Rouge Posts: 175 Drives: 2015 Nismo Rep Power: 44	The paddle shifters just feel uncomfortable to me, so I always use the stick lever. I shortened the shaft by about 3/4" and have a GTR shift knob. Looks and feels better than the stock auto knob.

10-17-2017, 01:27 AM	#6 (permalink)
MCDX Base Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Zurich, Switzerland Posts: 62 Drives: 17 Nissan 370Z CY A7 Rep Power: 9	Daily drive = auto mode or paddles Real driving = paddles only Nothing better than both hands on the wheel, when slamming the brakes and requiring 2nd gear for the next hairpin. IMHO that's the main advantage of paddles compared to any manual. I actually almost forgot, that you can also use the lever to shift. For my brain and logic, the up/down should be inverted though anyway. (Like any real sequential gear box...) Wheels3309 likes this. Last edited by MCDX; 10-17-2017 at 01:34 AM.

10-17-2017, 08:01 AM	#7 (permalink)
Silly Rabbit Track Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Brookston, IN Age: 55 Posts: 683 Drives: '12 PW Touring Sport Rep Power: 619	Paddles for me. I don't use the lever. I use manual mode most of the time. I can't stand Nissan's opinion on when to shift and the cars lust for getting to 7th gear ASAP. I mean, really, do I need to be in 7th gear by the time I'm doing 40mph? My main problem with the automatic is the auto mode is terrible. For anyone that uses the lever for shifting. This looks like a pretty simple mod that makes sense. When I have used the level, it always seemed backwards to me. Reverse Lever Mod. __________________ NISMO R Tune Intakes \ Fast Intentions RHFC \ Borla CBE \ EcuTek Tuned\ SPL Camber Arms \ Powertrix Coilovers \ Swift Springs \ Avant Garde \ Wicked CAS \ Morimoto XB Halos \ Custom Fenders \ Hotchkis Sways \ NLP Splitter

10-18-2017, 08:28 AM	#9 (permalink)
Leingod A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Some Place Cold Posts: 16,060 Drives: In Circles Rep Power: 2684397	I just shift with my short throw dipstick. Taffyapples... __________________ I AM FLOOF! SOMEBODY FLOOF MY HORN!! ALL HAIL THE FLOOF!!I JUST FLOOFED ON THE FLOOR

10-18-2017, 08:58 AM	#10 (permalink)
Zingston A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2017 Location: Florida Posts: 4,028 Drives: like it's a rental. Rep Power: 2684371	Auto mode while in Florida... Paddles in NC mountains.

10-18-2017, 11:03 AM	#11 (permalink)
Zat_Zuma A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Edmonton, Alberta ...eh Posts: 1,171 Drives: 2017 Touring auto Rep Power: 19	Both? Leave it in auto mode and downshift with the paddle shifter. Love the sound of the FI exhaust downshifting lol wideglideleon likes this. __________________ [B]2009 & 2017 370Z Touring Sport Autos SOLD

10-19-2017, 05:50 PM	#12 (permalink)
Kroy Base Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: CA Posts: 5 Drives: G37 IPL Rep Power: 8	I feel more natural using the shift levels. I probably use stick 75% of the time. I even did the wiring mod so it shifts like BMW. Feels much more intuitive. __________________ IPL \| Swift \| K&N Typhoon \| EcuTek \| ARK GRiP \| FI RHFC

10-25-2017, 02:34 PM	#13 (permalink)
Tractionless A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Atlantic SE Posts: 1,355 Drives: '10 K23 ST 7AT Rep Power: 30526	Extended paddles here, downshift always with paddle, upshift with paddle only when both hands are on the wheel; otherwise my right hand falls on the G37 sport shift lever (which feels much like an OE shift ball) and upshift with that. I also like downshifting with the paddle in auto mode and letting the ECu take back over when not particularly driving "sporty." __________________ Toys Not Tots

10-25-2017, 05:44 PM	#14 (permalink)
Spoiler A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Central Florida Age: 65 Posts: 8,409 Drives: 21 Supra -Blk/Red Rep Power: 2684380	Auto mode as my daily routine around town. Paddles when I hit the twistys

10-29-2017, 11:05 AM	#15 (permalink)
markesc Enthusiast Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Utah Posts: 381 Drives: 2014 370z M.B. 7AT Rep Power: 3367	paddles when I'm setting up a series of corners I like having both hands on the wheel in the event I need to counter-steer unexpectedly, plus, this car tramlines on certain types of pavement especially under heavy braking.

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