Does anyone else find it hard to paddle shift while steering? (or is it just me?)

Many years ago I had an old VW Passat, which came w/ automatic transmission, but w/ a "manual mode" Tiptronic option.
W/ that car, I was able to steer w/ my left hand, while shifting gears up/down w/ my right hand.

Most modern cars nowadays don't seem to give you that option - most of them only come w/ shift paddles.
If I want to shift up/down in the middle of turning the steering wheel (specifically when making a right/left turn), I have a hard time doing that...

 

The reason behind is that you should not shift up /down when making turns according to Ferrari Racing School . I had heard that while I was watching a car video . Because when you shift up or down the RPM changes and it would affect the handling of the car .I have not hit the racing track to push the cars beyond its limits so I can't confirm that

 

I learned to drive on a manual transmission. Actually a three speed with no syncromesh in first gear. Later on got a four speed on the floor. I was taught to downshift before turn or sharp curve and the to upshift after the turn.
Then again,we had carburetors that would flood on hard lefts, no power steering (needed two hands on sharp turns at speed) and no electronic stability controls.
So forget shifting in a turn.!
The old cars weren't great. Only the memory of them in youth.

 

If these were racing inspired or racing cars the paddles would be fixed on the column like an Fcar leaving you free to steer without worrying where the up down paddles are. It's more of a gimmick for most cars on the planet.

 

In any case you aren't shedding speed at the entrance or apex of a turn no matter what orientation the shift selection is. Hard braking and downshifting happen as a forethought to a turn. At that point the chassis should be neutral.

 

You read it here first...

Never let your shifting leave you behind on your steering...

 

A current Formula 1 racing car has a removable steering wheel with paddle shifters attached (not on the column). So drivers are able to use the paddles at any time they dare. Of course, the steering ratio on an F1 car is much shorter lock to lock (half turn left, half turn right, sometimes less) than a road car that uses multiple turns from lock to lock. So F1 drivers seldom get their arms in a pretzel.

When in doubt, see ancient proverb above...

 

Wise is this proverb.

I was refering to the lineup of consumer grade racing cars...such as Challenge cars. Arm pretzels still a "thing" with those.

 

I bet for most letting the computer control the tranny shifts is way faster then most trying to shift manually.

 

Driving manual is like has been said, you set the gear before the turn and have car going on that gear thru the turn so before the turn you can be engine braking. Even on a true manual with manual clutch the clutch is up and control is with gas pedal (and brakes).

But, if you selected a wrong gear there might be a need to change it in the middle of the turn meaning all power off for the time of change. This happened with old race cars where gear shifter was the old fashioned stick that allowed you to change to any gear at any time. Modern racers have it like the pedals in a way that gears are selected in an order.

I have tried paddles a few times but don’t like them due to not hearing the engine. I end up over-revving so I give up with them. They are only useable for making a quick pass when holding the left paddle down for a couple of seconds will select the best gear for acceleration for the speed you are going.

Wish there was a way to play engine sound inside the car somehow other than opening the window, which doesn’t work that well for it either.

And I wish MB had done as good job as they did for engine noise with road noise too...

 

"I was doing fine until mid-corner, then I ran out of talent "

- unknown

 

The paddle shifters are "interesting" on a 2-ton sedan. I played with them for a hour one day, but haven't touched them since.

They are useful for hanging your face mask, though...

 

The paddles are a novelty in these cars. I have used them a few times to downshift before passing on a 2-lane road. You can see the gear you are in and the transmission will revert back to auto on it's own with no more input.
I had the speedshift in my C32 AMG which was a noticeably faster manual mode shifter, but still slow by any of today's super cars.
My daughter's 2015 Honda Fit has paddles and it has a CVT transmission. ahahaha!

 

Now, that is FUNNY.

 

indeed, you learn very quickly on a motorcycle, NEVER shift or brake in the middle of a turn. do all your braking and downshifting BEFORE you lean into the turn, gently accelerate til you hit the exit of the turn, then wind up through the gears til its time to brake again. on a bike, you've only got two tiny tire patches keeping you heading down the road, and only so much traction to split between turning and braking, so when you're turning hard DO NOT BRAKE (or downshift which is a sudden -G on the rear wheel)