Learning how to use paddle shifters

Jjay · 05-12-2018, 07:10 PM

Hey, so I own the 2017 2lt with the 3.6L v6, automatic. I've been driving it in automatic mode, but I wanna learn how to drive it using the paddle shifters. My concern, since I've never driven manual, is that I shift at incorrect times and I damage my transmission. I understand upshifting, as I just do that as I reach higher speeds and don't need as much torque. So, my concerns are mostly regarding downshifting. When I slow down, do I have to rev match? I'm worried that when I downshift, the engine will need to boost it's rpm which will damage the transmission. Any tips on downshifting so I don't damage the transmission or engine? Should I know the torque curve of my camaro?

Also, there's this hill near my house. I'm assuming that I should drop the gear so I have more torque to go up the hill. At the same time, I don't want to be in first gear since the rpm will probably be pretty high for 40 mph. How do I find the right gear that gives me lots of torque but doesn't overwork the engine at 40 mph? Is it just trial and error? Any educated guesses? Thanks!

Epx998 · 05-12-2018, 10:18 PM

You can keep it in drive and still paddle shift, this will help you get used to it.

Driski · 05-13-2018, 05:43 AM

My problem was that i would forget that I was in manual mode and then not shift out of first. I hit the rev limiter a couple times. I don't think you need to worry about downshifting too soon because if you do the computer will not let you. I know from experience, a message comes across "shift not allowed" or something like that. Have fun!

Camaro_QC · 05-13-2018, 06:22 AM

Even with the paddles, it is still and automatic transmission. No rev match needed. And as said above, the computer won't let you damage the transmission.

Just play with it and have fun.

awrj2000 · 05-14-2018, 07:20 AM

Like others have posted you can go into manual mode, or keep it in drive and press the paddle shifter and it will move to that gear.

In drive it will hold about 15 seconds then go back into drive mode (full automatic)
In manual mode it will hold the gear until you shift to go up a gear.

When coming to a stop in manual it will shift down automatically if you forget.

If you are in drive or manual and hold the down shift paddle it will drop to the lowest safe gear (ex: 8th gear, hold paddle, drop to gear 3: Not 7,6,5,4)

The paddles are nice, but I find much quicker response by bumping the shifter (forward is higher gear, back will reduce a gear)

Using paddle shift and the delay can be a pain...just don't land in a situation where it must shift now before a turn- this will generally have you hitting the brakes, then part way into turn the transmission finally decides to change gears.

Best of luck and have fun.

starscream5000 · 05-14-2018, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Camaro_QC

Even with the paddles, it is still and automatic transmission. No rev match needed. And as said above, the computer won't let you damage the transmission.

Just play with it and have fun.

I don't know about the V6, but on my SS when you downshift the engine automatically rev matches during the shift.

Camaro_QC · 05-14-2018, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by starscream5000

I don't know about the V6, but on my SS when you downshift the engine automatically rev matches during the shift.

Like any automatic transmission does. You don't need to do it yourself. The trans does it for you.

NewCamaroOrder · 05-14-2018, 03:09 PM

Paddle shifting is great for turns when you need to hold a gear or if your on a road-course. For straight line driving, it up-shifts faster without the paddles.

That said, I haven't experienced a delay as previously mentioned. When taking turns I can downshift to the gear I need in the same time it takes to break for the turn. I don't know if Sport mode or Track mode changes the shifting speed. I rarely take it out of Sport mode.

I didn't know about holding the paddle down. I'll have to try that.

05-12-2018, 07:10 PM	#1
Jjay Drives: 2017 Camaro Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 8	Learning how to use paddle shifters Hey, so I own the 2017 2lt with the 3.6L v6, automatic. I've been driving it in automatic mode, but I wanna learn how to drive it using the paddle shifters. My concern, since I've never driven manual, is that I shift at incorrect times and I damage my transmission. I understand upshifting, as I just do that as I reach higher speeds and don't need as much torque. So, my concerns are mostly regarding downshifting. When I slow down, do I have to rev match? I'm worried that when I downshift, the engine will need to boost it's rpm which will damage the transmission. Any tips on downshifting so I don't damage the transmission or engine? Should I know the torque curve of my camaro? Also, there's this hill near my house. I'm assuming that I should drop the gear so I have more torque to go up the hill. At the same time, I don't want to be in first gear since the rpm will probably be pretty high for 40 mph. How do I find the right gear that gives me lots of torque but doesn't overwork the engine at 40 mph? Is it just trial and error? Any educated guesses? Thanks!

05-12-2018, 10:18 PM	#2
Epx998 \|Engineer\| Drives: 2016 Camaro SS Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 402	You can keep it in drive and still paddle shift, this will help you get used to it. __________________ 2016 Camaro SS A8 \| Magnuson Heartbeat \| Might Mouse Wild Catch Can \| DSX Flex Fuel \| Eibach Pro Kit \| Flowmaster Outlaw Black Series \| MRR 017 Wheels

05-13-2018, 05:43 AM	#3
Driski Drives: 2016 Camaro Convertible 2SS Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Mass Posts: 756	My problem was that i would forget that I was in manual mode and then not shift out of first. I hit the rev limiter a couple times. I don't think you need to worry about downshifting too soon because if you do the computer will not let you. I know from experience, a message comes across "shift not allowed" or something like that. Have fun! __________________ 2SS Convertible, MRC, NPP, A8, Garnet Red, Blk Bowties GM CAI, Ported TB, Kooks Headers, E85

05-13-2018, 06:22 AM	#4
Camaro_QC Drives: 08 Tiburon GS, 2018 Camaro 2.0T Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Québec Posts: 1,660	Even with the paddles, it is still and automatic transmission. No rev match needed. And as said above, the computer won't let you damage the transmission. Just play with it and have fun. __________________ 2018 Camaro LS \| 6 spd \| 2.0L turbo \| Nightfall Grey \| RS package \| Technology Package. --------------------- Order WDGHKX 1100 - 5/08/2018 \| 3800 - 6/18/2018 2000 - 5/09/2018 \| 4200 - 6/21/2018 3000 - 5/28/2018 \| 5000 - 6/27/2018 6000 - 6/29/2018

05-14-2018, 07:20 AM	#5
awrj2000 Drives: 2016 2SS Camaro Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: SC Posts: 53	Like others have posted you can go into manual mode, or keep it in drive and press the paddle shifter and it will move to that gear. In drive it will hold about 15 seconds then go back into drive mode (full automatic) In manual mode it will hold the gear until you shift to go up a gear. When coming to a stop in manual it will shift down automatically if you forget. If you are in drive or manual and hold the down shift paddle it will drop to the lowest safe gear (ex: 8th gear, hold paddle, drop to gear 3: Not 7,6,5,4) The paddles are nice, but I find much quicker response by bumping the shifter (forward is higher gear, back will reduce a gear) Using paddle shift and the delay can be a pain...just don't land in a situation where it must shift now before a turn- this will generally have you hitting the brakes, then part way into turn the transmission finally decides to change gears. Best of luck and have fun.

05-14-2018, 03:09 PM	#8
NewCamaroOrder Drives: 2017 Camaro 2SS Nightfall Gray 1LE Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: SoCal Posts: 86	Paddle shifting is great for turns when you need to hold a gear or if your on a road-course. For straight line driving, it up-shifts faster without the paddles. That said, I haven't experienced a delay as previously mentioned. When taking turns I can downshift to the gear I need in the same time it takes to break for the turn. I don't know if Sport mode or Track mode changes the shifting speed. I rarely take it out of Sport mode. I didn't know about holding the paddle down. I'll have to try that.

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