shift paddles

[hawkeye18]

Ok, so from what I've heard, the shift paddles on the gen4 (gen 6, ecosho, whatever...) are set so that a pull on either paddle will produce an upshift, and a push on either paddle will produce a downshift. This seems to be... unoptimal. Either a push or a pull on the right paddle should produce an upshift and a pull/push on the left paddle should produce a downshift.

You can pretty much stop reading if you don't agree with this. If you think they should be flipped, keep reading.

The question is: Are the paddles on the wheel, or are they on the column? cos if they're on the wheel, it should be fairly easy to rewire the switches (cos that's all they are, switches) so that they behave in this manner. Are the paddles analog, or are they digital? These are the things I'd like to know so I can figure out if it's possible to repurpose the shifters.

Discuss. Please leave the "it doesn't have a manual, waaaaaaah" whining out of this thread.

Edit 1: looks like they're attached to the wheel. that means you can futz with the clockspring wiring to make it work... if (when) I buy one that'll be my first mod!

 

[dstig1]

hee hee hee.

it doesn't have a manual - Waaahhhh!

A lot of the "switches" in modern cars are really digital inputs. If you look at wiring diagrams, many of them show that different switch positions are actually different resistance inputs to the PCM. You might still be able to rewire it, but I highly doubt it is open/closed like you think for a conventional switch. Remember that this switch probably talks directly to the PCM to tell it "driver wants an upshift" or whatever, and the PCM decides what to do.

If you want to do it, get the wiring diagram before you think about tearing into it. It's probably doable, but perhaps not the way you think.

Enjoy!

-Dave

 

[SHO Continental]

This is a modern car. Just use the tuner to switch the handle operation.

What do you mean you can't?!

 

[stephen newberg]

Though I do not know this for a fact (as I have not yet driven the car), I would think the reason to have the pattern duplicated on both the left and right paddles so they are the same would be to make it easy for both left and right handed people. Personally, I am ambidextrous, so it all seems fine to me. I cannot actually think of a good reason why I would want the patterns to be different between the different sides. Assuming I understand this correctly. After all, if you want to use one side for ups and the other for downs, it will still work just fine. I guess I do not really get what you think is 'unoptimal'.

pax, smn

 

[dstig1]

I cannot actually think of a good reason why I would want the patterns to be different between the different sides. .... I guess I do not really get what you think is 'unoptimal'.

pax, smn

Maybe he just wants it like that!

I want a manual tranny Waaahhhh

-Dave

 

[Jonny Cash]

The left/right handed theory doesent make sense to me. I guess you would use your thumb to upshift, and your other four fingers to downshift, or vice versa. Naturally, left-down, right-up. Thats how the e92 M3 is. Both on the same side would take some getting use to.

 

[SHOZ123]

I'm just glad they have them. I think I could figure it out.....

 

[SeanMc]

Bored are we?

 

[K-Dawg]

What if you're in the middle of a turn and decide to change gears? The right might be on the left and the left will be on the right and you'll get so confused. :frantic:

 

[SHOZ123]

Almost as bad a me forgetting I'm in the SHO with the automatic and hitting the brake pedal when "trying" to shift.

 

[stephen newberg]

Almost as bad a me forgetting I'm in the SHO with the automatic and hitting the brake pedal when "trying" to shift.

LOL , I believe you win that one hands down. Or feet stomping.

I think the turned wheel question is a good one too. Basically, there are really good reasons to have the paddles on both sides of the wheel and have them duplicates in function direction.

pax, smn

 

[OSU 4 SHO]

My DSG has left paddle downshift, right upshift. They are mounted on the wheel, and I love it.

If I recall correctly, the 335 uses the push/pull for downshift/upshift.

You shouldn't be changing gears in a turn anyway.

 

[hawkeye18]

Personally, if you are fleet enough of mind to change gears in mid-turn, then you are also fleet enough of mind to account for the fact that the steering wheel is upside down. This is where practice makes perfect. How many times have people shifted from 2nd into 1st at WOT? I don't think it's that different. Plus, the ATX will know better than to shift into 1st at 7,000 RPM...