Photo: Scotty Reiss The Chance to Learn the Truth: Can They Be Fun? Related: Top 10 Reasons Why You Should Learn to Drive a Stick Shift The Lexus lineup in Palm Springs, California, ready to head to the track. But after many thousands of miles trying to find the fun in paddle shifters, I never got it. It sounded good in theory: Have a manual transmission when you want, but drive in automatic when you don’t. So when my husband wanted a car with paddle shifters, I was on board. The reason the Honda Odyssey has paddle shifters is not for the far-fetched notion that you’d speed onto a highway using them, or that the minivan might be more fun on mountain roads using paddles, but rather, that you can go light on the brakes on a downhill drive or when trailering a U-Haul. They also saw utility: paddle shifters, like a manual gear shifter, can be used to regulate engine speed and slow your vehicle’s speed. They are even included on the Honda Odyssey minivan.Īutomakers saw an opportunity: As more cars serve multiple drivers these days, from one-car families to moms and dads who share school drop-off, it’s a win if all drivers in a household like driving all the cars in the driveway. From small, inexpensive hatchbacks to premium luxury cars to sporty SUVs, paddle shifters are often part of the package. Originally developed by Ferrari for faster shift times on the race track, more and more cars are equipped with them. Driving a stick reveals your Danica Patrick spirit and evokes your Richard Petty soul.Ĭan a couple of metal tabs attached to the steering wheel possibly do all that? You’re in touch with your car, aware of the road and clearly superior to all other beings around you. When your left foot and right hand are controlling your engine speed, your entire body is engaged in the job of driving. Related: Ten Affordable and Fun Manual Transmission Cars That Will Fire Up Your Stick Shift Dreams The Lexus GS F‘s paddle shifters.Photo: Scotty Reiss Guilty Pleasure or Waste of Money? Either way, these engines are designed to self-preserve you can’t damage them by driving in manual mode, even though it’s not a good idea to drive with the engine roaring at a super high RPM. ![]() So before you read on, here’s the answer to that scary scenario: if you accidentally pull a paddle and hear the engine roar, pull the right paddle for several seconds and the transmission will go back into automatic. If you’ve put the car into manual mode, or in some cars, into sport mode, and paddle shifters are required for shifting gears, you can simply put it back into automatic or normal mode. One driver said she was so worried she turned on the emergency flashers, slowed down and pulled over to turn the car off and then back on again. ![]() I also heard tearful and frightened drivers talk of accidentally pulling a paddle shifter while driving and not knowing what to do, worried they might damage the engine. ![]() When I first heard about paddle shifters it sounded too good to be true: Little metal tabs on either side of the steering wheel that let you shift through the car’s gears as you drive, giving you the best of both worlds: An automatic transmission that you can drive like a manual when you want to. Once You Learn How, Paddle Shifters Give You Greater Command on the RoadĬan an automatic transmission have the feel of a manual?.Related: 6 Real Life Reasons Why Everyone Should Learn to Drive a Stick Shift.Paddle Shifters Can Make You a Better Driver.The Chance to Learn the Truth: Can They Be Fun?.Related: Top 10 Reasons Why You Should Learn to Drive a Stick Shift.Related: Ten Affordable and Fun Manual Transmission Cars That Will Fire Up Your Stick Shift Dreams.Can an automatic transmission have the feel of a manual?.
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