Double Down Shifting?

[motosan]

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Does anyone down shift at the paddle then at the stick right away? I found this technique effective to bring 4th gear to 2nd, or 5th to 3rd, comparing to paddling twice or shifting twice.

Does doing so hurt the transmission by any chance?

[jmflukeiii]

Originally Posted by motosan

Does anyone down shift at the paddle then at the stick right away? I found this technique effective to bring 4th gear to 2nd, or 5th to 3rd, comparing to paddling twice or shifting twice.

Does doing so hurt the transmission by any chance?

Haven't tried doing that, but haven't had any problem with just hitting the paddle a couple times for where I want to go..

[SenorFunkyPants]

The paddles and stick are simply switches and both perform the same job so it shouldn't make any difference if you use them alternatively or in what order.

[sameh]

Originally Posted by SenorFunkyPants

The paddles and stick are simply switches and both perform the same job so it shouldn't make any difference if you use them alternatively or in what order.

Yep. It's not mechanical

[mkoesel]

Interesting. I think the OP's point is that by using both you can theoretically get the shifts commands sent to the computer virtually simultaneously. I agree, though, that this isn't really necessary since a quick double pull is plenty fast to get the computer to recognize your intention to do a single two-gear downshift.

It probably doesn't hurt a thing to use both in quick succession, but it doesn't really buy you anything either. Of course if you prefer to drive left hand on wheel and right hand on stick, then I could see this technique feeling pretty natural and I see no reason to avoid it.

By the way, SFP, you guys in the UK still have the downshift on the left and upshift on the right, yes? In that case, for you guys, this wouldn't really work since the same hand is used for the downshift paddle and the stick (but hey you could still use it for double-upshifts though ).

[SenorFunkyPants]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

By the way, SFP, you guys in the UK still have the downshift on the left and upshift on the right, yes? In that case, for you guys, this wouldn't really work since the same hand is used for the downshift paddle and the stick (but hey you could still use it for double-upshifts though ).

Heh...I hadn't thought of that.
Anyway I don't usually make double downshifts because the time it takes to make the double shift can be a little slow.
Also I tend to only use the stick for downshifts and then mostly only when the steering wheel is turned when its possible to mix up the paddles.

[w00tw00t]

I've found that when in S5, if I double tap the paddles it downshifts 2 gears at a time... no need to use the paddle and the stick together

[asheesh88]

Hi all,

Additionally,

If you hold down the left paddle while flooring it (past kickdown button), it will drop as many gears as necessary to maximize acceleration. If you are cruising in 7th, it may drop down to 3rd or even 2nd, depending on RPM.

Asheesh

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by asheesh88

If you hold down the left paddle while flooring it (past kickdown button), it will drop as many gears as necessary to maximize acceleration. If you are cruising in 7th, it may drop down to 3rd or even 2nd, depending on RPM.

Yeah the kick down feature is pretty well known, but are you sure it will work when done the way you've described? I always floor it first and then pull the paddle. Even if it also works the way you said too, you are going to get two downshifts in that case - one from the initial pull and then another after you push the accelerator to the floor.

[w00tw00t]

what I remember doing is:
1. First floor the throttle and get the kickdown button to click
2. Then immediately downshift

the car automatically downshifted 3-4 gears to optimize accel. no need to hold down the left paddle while flooring the throttle simultaniously

[jmflukeiii]

Originally Posted by w00tw00t

I've found that when in S5, if I double tap the paddles it downshifts 2 gears at a time... no need to use the paddle and the stick together

Yeah I was just noticing this morning driving that I notice most of the difference of the S modes when downshifting. S5 seems to downshift much quicker than S3, for example.

[OC3]

Originally Posted by jmflukeiii

Yeah I was just noticing this morning driving that I notice most of the difference of the S modes when downshifting. S5 seems to downshift much quicker than S3, for example.

Really?

[Bosna]

Originally Posted by jmflukeiii

Yeah I was just noticing this morning driving that I notice most of the difference of the S modes when downshifting. S5 seems to downshift much quicker than S3, for example.

... What exactly did you think the different modes were for?

[ES_TRADER]

I just use left paddle to downshift and the stick to upshift. So downshift with left hand an upshift with right

Never use the right paddle and the motion to downshift with the stick just feels unnatural. I don't know why but the motion to push it forward just seems strange. Anyone else feel this way?

[jmflukeiii]

Originally Posted by OC3

Really?

Originally Posted by Bosna

... What exactly did you think the different modes were for?

Thanks guys... the point of the post was that I feel the speed change in downshift much more than upshifting when in the higher S modes.

[Alpha///M]

Originally Posted by estrader

I just use left paddle to downshift and the stick to upshift. So downshift with left hand an upshift with right

Never use the right paddle and the motion to downshift with the stick just feels unnatural. I don't know why but the motion to push it forward just seems strange. Anyone else feel this way?

When I use my left hand on my stick, I feels so un-natural! Maybe because Im right handed!
And when I push it forward with my right hand, it does feel strange, which is why I finish up fast!!!!

[nradbmw]

Originally Posted by estrader

I just use left paddle to downshift and the stick to upshift. So downshift with left hand an upshift with right

Never use the right paddle and the motion to downshift with the stick just feels unnatural. I don't know why but the motion to push it forward just seems strange. Anyone else feel this way?

I do the same exact thing.

[LarThaL]

Although I prefer driving a manual from an enjoyment perspective, one of the biggest advantages I see of DCT is the ability to use the paddles and keep both hands on the wheels while shifting. Using the joystick defeats that purpose.

[DARK_M3]

Jeeebus I have stumbled into the pandoras box of shifting options here. (I drive a manual and it just seems so much less.. complicated)

Regarding shifting with the "stick", the way it is (usually) with a true sequential race car shifter, is to have the car downshift by pushing the stick forward and upshift on a pull back of the stick. This is because this is the natural momentum of the car anyway. What kills me (and yes I've had several cars with a auto/paddle/"stick" mode, is that the lazy brained way manufactures make them is to push the stick forward for an "upshift" I'm assuming because the cars moving forward and lazy brained drivers need to equate it that way? I dunno but it should go with the momentum of the vehicle not the direction of travel IMO. That always bugged me with my previous cars.

[outie]

I just tried this, the computer won't register the stick shift even after about .5-1sec. You have to wait a bit before you can shift w/ the stick after the paddle shift. You are better off clicking the paddle twice.

[mlhj83]

Originally Posted by DARK_M3

Jeeebus I have stumbled into the pandoras box of shifting options here. (I drive a manual and it just seems so much less.. complicated)

Regarding shifting with the "stick", the way it is (usually) with a true sequential race car shifter, is to have the car downshift by pushing the stick forward and upshift on a pull back of the stick. This is because this is the natural momentum of the car anyway. What kills me (and yes I've had several cars with a auto/paddle/"stick" mode, is that the lazy brained way manufactures make them is to push the stick forward for an "upshift" I'm assuming because the cars moving forward and lazy brained drivers need to equate it that way? I dunno but it should go with the momentum of the vehicle not the direction of travel IMO. That always bugged me with my previous cars.

You do know that DCT's shift lever is marked + towards the driver and - away from the driver, right?

Nothing wrong with a manual, but people have their reasons for choosing DCT, some good some bad. I for one feel that DCT can be as involving as a manual simply because the M engineers designed so many combinations and shift settings into DCT to optimise performance, traction and balance for every road and driving condition, plus you get to keep both hands on the wheel and focus on delicate steering inputs. When used properly, I find myself constantly changing settings to suit the current situation. Why? Because it works and it's fun. Everyone has a choice.

[SD-E93-11]

Originally Posted by w00tw00t

I've found that when in S5, if I double tap the paddles it downshifts 2 gears at a time... no need to use the paddle and the stick together

Yes, doing this raises the awesomeness of the DCT downshift to new levels and always yields a more ferocious throttle blip. I didn't know this was restricted to S5 (which is my habitual driving mode).