Which Shifter you use the most (DCT) Stick Vs Paddles

[sameh]

I found myself using mostly the stick as opposed to shift paddles! Occasionally I’d use the left paddle for down shifting and stick for up shifting (don’t ask me why)
But very rarely I find myself using the shift paddles exclusively.
I guess the fact that you have to use the stick, since some driving situations mandate its use while using the paddles is optional/preference.
Just wanted to see if having the paddles attached to the wheel is discouraging DCT drivers from using the shift paddles more often.

[besiktas]

paddles in the twisties, stick on straights

[M3776]

I find my self using the stick most of the time in casual driving. the paddles require both hands on the wheel and i'm not looking to constantly shift at 6K+

[Erhan]

If I'm driving civil, I use stick to shift up. If I'm spirited, I use paddles to shift up. When I downshift, it is almost always with the paddles.

[mkoesel]

I only use the stick to put the car into reverse, into gear, or into neutral. To change gear ratios, I use the paddle exclusively.

[ES_TRADER]

the paddles are hard to use when ur shifting while making a sharper turn...because say when u making a right turn, they are then pointing towards ur lap...it feels like an unnatural motion to me......At the same time, Downshifting with the stick also feels unnatural...i dont know if i should use my thumb or index finger to push it forward because when im holding it and use the whole hand, the wrist feels like its in a weird and unnatural motion as well.....

SO....to compromise all this, i try to do 50/50 with stick and paddle....i use the stick to UPSHIFT and the left paddle to downshift....anyone does this combo here??

[mkoesel]

BTW, if you are interested in related (but not the same) threads from the past:

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=455298
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=432404

More:

http://www.google.com/search?q=DCT+p...e%3Am3post.com

[sameh]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

I only use the stick to put the car into reverse, into gear, or into neutral. To change gear ratios, I use the paddle exclusively.

So say in a red traffic light you will take a 90 right turn, do you hold 1st gear till you're straigthning the car then shift or do you shift while turning. Caus sometimes holding the first is not an option when the car is cold and I'm trying to avoid passing 3K RPM.

[toper]

I use D on the freeway, stick on the streets, and paddles if I find myself driving "10 and 2"...I thought I would use the paddles more, but for some reason I don't "trust" them as much as the stick (which gives me better feedback).

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by sameh

So say in a red traffic light you will take a 90 right turn, do you hold 1st gear till you're straigthning the car then shift or do you shift while turning. Caus sometimes holding the first is not an option when the car is cold and I'm trying to avoid passing 3K RPM.

I do both depending on circumstances, but usually I avoid shifting during 90 degree or greater turns if I can. If I do need/want to shift while making a sharp turn, I just do it at the beginning before the wheel is turned enough to the point I need to move my hand off the paddle, or at the end after the wheel has turned back enough to reposition my hand on the paddle.

Also, as far as the car being cold, I just let the sliding limiter do its thing and not worry about 3K or any other artificially imposed RPM limit.

[James T. Kirk]

I feel like I SHOULD use the paddles for more stable steering, but stick-shifting seems more natural.

[sensi09]

Always the paddle for downshifting. It varies for upshifting, but for typical driving on the street, usually the knob.

Maybe just me, but downshifting with the knob feels a little weird.

[jmflukeiii]

I like that with this car I generally have both hands on the wheel.... its not a sit back with one hand on top kind of car, at least the way I drive. So needless to say, I use the paddles. However, in sharp turns, you can't really get to them so stick at that point.

[sensi09]

Originally Posted by sameh

So say in a red traffic light you will take a 90 right turn, do you hold 1st gear till you're straigthning the car then shift or do you shift while turning. Caus sometimes holding the first is not an option when the car is cold and I'm trying to avoid passing 3K RPM.

I would typically be in 2nd right away before the turn or when the turn is starting.

Shifting varies from a regular manual a bit, but I'd probably be in 2nd early on in a traditional manual too. Just speaking of regular driving, not when I'm in a rush or :gasp: trying to race someone.

[sensi09]

I'll have two hands on the wheel for any type of aggressive driving, but for regular driving, usually just one hand most of the time.

[008]

Paddles except for turning scenarios. Shame they are not on the column.

[RevFreak14]

Originally Posted by sensi09

Always the paddle for downshifting. It varies for upshifting, but for typical driving on the street, usually the knob.

Maybe just me, but downshifting with the knob feels a little weird.

I find downshifting with the knob a bit weird myself. But I almost always keep 1 hand on the shifter so I usually find myself downshifting with the paddle, and upshifting with the knob.

[OC3]

Use both. Stick/paddle 40/60% ratio

[geneatals]

shift knob to up shift, left shift paddle to down shift....

feels ergonomically comfortable since I like to rest my right arm on the center console...

[Erhan]

I kinda wish we didn't have a stick though. Just R, N, D, and S buttons would be cool.

[toper]

i'm surprised at all the "downshift with stick is weird" posts...i rest my palm on top and have no issues at all with up or down shifting (it couldn't feel anymore natural to me).

i can see how it might feel weird though if you use it with a palm-on-the-side grip, is that what you guys are doing? (sorry that sounds strange, no homo LOL)

I also heard that the porsche pdk uses the opposite push to upshift/pull to downshift, now that would definitely take some time for me to adjust to.

[Grail05]

i just switch mine with the performance knob and its a night and day difference....

i was going to do the same thing but i just see so many people selling it after buying it.. no matter what brand they are...