Do you find the paddle shifters awkward?

[suicidaleggroll]

Interesting takes on the fixed vs. attached to wheel paddles. I would think that having them stationary would be harder to shift in a turn. You'd have to take a hand off and reach for it - no??

I could see fixed paddles being better for sharp, low speed (1st gear) turns when you're wrapping the wheel around half a revolution or more. In that case, having them attached to the wheel makes it confusing which is up and which is down while fixed would be clearer. Of course in cases like that I just reach down and use the shift lever to go to 2nd.

Alternatively, I feel like having them in fixed positions would be significantly worse for high speed corners when you're turning the wheel 90 degrees or less. In that case, having them attached to the wheel means you can leave your hands in the normal position through the turn while shifting.

I feel like the Supra's setup gives the best of both worlds. Paddles fixed to the wheel for high speed corners so you can keep your hands in the standard position on the wheel, and a separate, fixed lever that you can grab to shift when you're in a low speed sharp corner and the paddles get confusing.

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[Seven Bacon]

Related to this topic, since its an auto, would brake life suffer the same vs. manual? Assuming you go auto all the time. To be clear, and not to insult, I'm asking about the amount of engine braking when in auto.

 

[Loco38SUP]

Interesting takes on the fixed vs. attached to wheel paddles. I would think that having them stationary would be harder to shift in a turn. You'd have to take a hand off and reach for it - no??

Its actually easier and feels more natural. One hand grips the steering wheel while the other has a loose grip and hits the paddle shifter. The other way you need to grab the paddle while the steering wheel is upside down or grab for the nub in the middle of the console to shift.

-RJM

 

[Dannyvandelft]

I've never had a car with fixed paddles so I'm not sure which I'd prefer. I do like the fact that you'll always know where they are. But, for racing it is nice to have the paddles under your fingertips as you steer.

 

[FullmetalHeart]

Had the blackline billet shifters on order before I even picked up my car lol. Much easier to hit them while turning or if you’re just cruising with your hands at 5 or 7 on the wheel since yoy can actually shift from the bottom. The oem ones you can only hit from the top

 

[H2O_Doc]

I’ve never thought, “geezus, I wish the paddle shifters were longer,” but maybe that’s because I’ve never tried them. Does it really change much in how you drive?

 

[SupraBC]

I’ve never thought, “geezus, I wish the paddle shifters were longer,”

Same.
I think longer paddle shifters would only become handy if they were fixed to the steering column so you can reach them more easily while turning the wheel.
In the case of paddles attached to the wheel I don't see how it would make any difference. I'd think people are buying them only for the looks.

 

[3TMagnetMan]

At first I thought the stock paddles were awkward. I added Paddle shifter extenders and now I like how this car shifts with the paddles very fun to drive.

 

[JagTech]

Interesting takes on the fixed vs. attached to wheel paddles. I would think that having them stationary would be harder to shift in a turn. You'd have to take a hand off and reach for it - no??

I found it so much easier, you always know where they are and which on is which

 

[nibble]

I found it so much easier, you always know where they are and which on is which

most likely this is true If you are shuffling hands a lot or autocross. I almost never shuffle hands unless I'm making K turns which i usually resort to "Auto" as paddle shift don't have reverse. Most drivers on almost all track don't require shuffling and having it in fixed position to give better control.

for example on F1 drivers, their paddle shifter width is as long as a coin and rotates with Handle. It seems that they don't need it any larger than that.

 

[Ktowndevil]

I don’t like them even though they do look cool behind the steering wheel.

Reason 1: they move with the steering wheel, I find myself too long in a gear because I can’t shift while turning.

Reason 2: I dont get the same growl from exhaust between shifts as I do in auto.

-RJM

this. and, i just don't use them ?

 

[Zupra1776]

I added the cheap Amazon extenders and love them....

Trick or in case you did not know - to go back to D - shift up (+) then immediately down (-) and car returns to Auto Drive (D)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08SW997MX/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I went with the stick on also, but carbon vinyl wrapped the originals first. Here's how it turned out:

 

[je8]

Not awkward to me. Hard to use in a hard turn at an intersection, so I’m just grabbing the center console shifter for those scenarios. I think many of the extenders/large replacement paddles look a little out of place.

 

[Evolution]

I really dont like our paddles. Coming out of a turn in 2nd with the up shift paddle pointed toward the ground makes it nearly impossible to shift. I think this weekend I am going to try the shifter and forget the car has paddles. For around town stuff, I dont have a problem with the paddles. Its just on the track in certain turns that they dont work for me.

 

[jreinlie4]

Reason 1: they move with the steering wheel, I find myself too long in a gear because I can’t shift while turning.

Use the shifter/gear selector to shift gears while turning and keep one hand on the steering wheel.

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