Teach me how to use the paddle shifters please
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I've been driving 4th gen OB for 2 years now, and I don't understand the paddle shifters that move with the steering wheel. My problem is that after I turn a corner I would like to shift up before the wheels straight, but at that point I don't know which paddle is + which one is -?
Do I drive incorrectly here? Do I simply shift up too early? Please advise.
Does anybody know the reason for mounting the paddles on the steering wheel as opposed to fixed on the steering column? Better yet, why not floor mount on the center console?
Thanks.
Do I drive incorrectly here? Do I simply shift up too early? Please advise.
Does anybody know the reason for mounting the paddles on the steering wheel as opposed to fixed on the steering column? Better yet, why not floor mount on the center console?
Thanks.
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I imagine they'll be useful in snowy/icy conditions, especially going down hills?
My OB is 3 weeks old, so missed the (non)winter here. I'm on top of a hill, though, and they don't much plow us, so I expect to have to downshift come next winter, and I figure I'll have to figure out the flappies by then.
My OB is 3 weeks old, so missed the (non)winter here. I'm on top of a hill, though, and they don't much plow us, so I expect to have to downshift come next winter, and I figure I'll have to figure out the flappies by then.
I use mine a bit on the freeway to reduce speed/momentum without covering the brake but the main use I get is down shifting on mountain twisties. I generally am able to slow down and make a sweep turn without having to go hand over hand and lose track of the paddles. I have never driven "fixed" paddles so they seem fine to me. If I were in a more aggresive car I would probably want them fixed.
It's mostly a gimmick.
Unless, of course, you're an F1 driver with an exotic million dollar transmission that shifts-in-.00002 seconds ...or a member of the gold chain set that can't drive a clutch and bought a Ferrrari ...
Google "flappy paddles"...
Unless, of course, you're an F1 driver with an exotic million dollar transmission that shifts-in-.00002 seconds ...or a member of the gold chain set that can't drive a clutch and bought a Ferrrari ...
Google "flappy paddles"...
The only time I use them is for passing on the hwy.
Many performance car companies have these (like a couple Ferrari for example) and most driving enthusiasts complain about them. I think car companies actually want to limit manual shifting in an auto to drag racing only.
This feature was the main reason I considered a Forester, floor shifting is preferable to "flappy paddles."
Many performance car companies have these (like a couple Ferrari for example) and most driving enthusiasts complain about them. I think car companies actually want to limit manual shifting in an auto to drag racing only.
This feature was the main reason I considered a Forester, floor shifting is preferable to "flappy paddles."
The idea is that in a car setup for track use, your wheel never turns more than 180* in either direction, therefore you never remove your hands from 9 and 3. When you go to shift, the same paddle is always in the same location. Allows you to down shift entering corners and up shift leaving corners without taking you hands off the wheel.
In a family wagon, they are a gimmick IMO. Somewhat useful in some situations, but nothing really needed. However on the outback CVT, there is no other way to select lower gears, so the paddles become a little more important.
In a family wagon, they are a gimmick IMO. Somewhat useful in some situations, but nothing really needed. However on the outback CVT, there is no other way to select lower gears, so the paddles become a little more important.
I ignore them unless I'm off-road, then I keep it in "1" and rarely "2" to keep RPMs up. On the road... maybe the occasional flick to downshift and slow down.
In a performance setting, you rarely change gears mid-turn. Select the gear you want on the exit on the way in. There are always exceptions, but generally speaking a nice swift downshift in a hard corner is a novel way to park your car backwards into a barrier...
In a performance setting, you rarely change gears mid-turn. Select the gear you want on the exit on the way in. There are always exceptions, but generally speaking a nice swift downshift in a hard corner is a novel way to park your car backwards into a barrier...
sometimes they are mounted on the wheel and sometimes on the column. there isn't much purpose for them at all on street cars. for race cars, with them on the wheel, this is better if your hands do not move at all. however, if you turn the wheel and need to shift some confusion can arise as the plus may have moved to the left and the minus to the right. in the case of the outback paddles, again useless on street cars, the paddles do not change, they are mounted to the steering wheel so which ever one has a plus is what you want
On most cars, they are quite useful for quickly getting to the gear you want. I was looking forward to using them when I first bought the car. That said, I never use them. It seems that this car is perfectly geared to what I want.
That is a good thing
That is a good thing
I use them while towing in the hills to keep RPMs up and help engine brake. That said, most of the time I switch gears before I enter turns (so the steering wheel is straight). And even in the turns, I remain at a relatively constant speed, and don't shift again until I'm out of the turn (steering wheel's back to being straight). If I have to stop mid-turn, it'll automatically downshift for me so I don't have to think about it.
2011 Outback 2.5i Premium, CVT, Steel Silver, all-weather package. Upgrades: Tweeter kit, BlueConnect, media hub, remote start, Curt 2" receiver hitch.
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The only car I've driven with REAL flappy paddles is a Lamborghini Gallardo. The paddles STAY in place as the steering wheel turns. The up shift paddle is always on the right, and the downshift paddle is always on the left.
As someone already mentioned, you rarely shift in a turn when racing, but in normal car driving, it is done all the time. Especially when the wheel has more turns lock to lock. I find them next to useless in many situations... Especially in town. However, they are great for engine braking, and can be a fun change of pace if you aren't making any turns.
As someone already mentioned, you rarely shift in a turn when racing, but in normal car driving, it is done all the time. Especially when the wheel has more turns lock to lock. I find them next to useless in many situations... Especially in town. However, they are great for engine braking, and can be a fun change of pace if you aren't making any turns.
For daily commuting the paddles are not essential but one can downshift in auto mode momentarily if needed or bored. In somewhat challenging off-road situations it's great to be able to downshift and hold a particular gear. Definitely nice for EZ downshifting on slopes and manually selecting a gear to avoid getting stuck
When I use mine for some reason the radio cuts out and I hear batman music in the background j/k Only time I have ever used mine is when I think the CVT is running the engine a little high I will flick the upshift to see if I can get it to drop the RPMs.
I predominantly use my 3.6 for commuting on flat, straight highways. I don't think I'll ever use the flappies. On the rare occasion that they may come in handy on a snowy drive, I'll probably forget to use them anyway, since it's not part of my regular routine.
Any advice on how to remove them? I think they look goofy.
Any advice on how to remove them? I think they look goofy.
Not a gimmick in the least.
The most important use of the paddle shifters is to
give you power on demand.
On the track, PS are not best because you don't
have a manual clutch. You change gears in a turn do as
to maximize torque when you exit. So, there is moment there when
your are coasting. Using PS in the turn dies not let you match your Ron's for that exit.
But the outback is create for the fellow who is also likely
to go off the beaten path. Going down hill on a steep incline
may require you to over ride the automatic and take control of your gears.
Also, in situations where you are likely to get stuck,
turning of your VDC and going into full manual mode will give the driver the most control
And road feedback.
In everyday driving, getting out of harms way in a small amount of time can also be aided by the PS.
Hope that help.
D. Oguntona
214-708-7864
The most important use of the paddle shifters is to
give you power on demand.
On the track, PS are not best because you don't
have a manual clutch. You change gears in a turn do as
to maximize torque when you exit. So, there is moment there when
your are coasting. Using PS in the turn dies not let you match your Ron's for that exit.
But the outback is create for the fellow who is also likely
to go off the beaten path. Going down hill on a steep incline
may require you to over ride the automatic and take control of your gears.
Also, in situations where you are likely to get stuck,
turning of your VDC and going into full manual mode will give the driver the most control
And road feedback.
In everyday driving, getting out of harms way in a small amount of time can also be aided by the PS.
Hope that help.
D. Oguntona
214-708-7864
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