Paddle Shifters
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 43
Likes: 1
From: Reno
2010 GL450 and 2016 GLE350
On level roads I have no use for them. However, while driving through hills or mountains they can be quite useful. For instance, on a gradual up grade as the RPM drops to around 2,000, a barely noticeable down shift to D6 can be had by hitting the left paddle instead of waiting for the more abrupt automatic down shift. When the grade reduces, hit the right paddle to allow the transmission to shift back up to Drive (D7).
Where the paddles are really useful is driving in the mountains. On the drive from Reno to Incline Village at Lake Tahoe there are numerous hills and curves, limiting your top speed to 45mph. As you start up the first hill, as the RPM drops to 2,000, hit the left paddle for D6. As the RPM drops again, hit the left paddle again, for D5, then finally to D4. Stay in D4 for the rest of the drive.
If you had not used the paddle, as you come to a reduced grade, the automatic transmission wants to up shift, then as you start on the next upgrade, downshift, making for a jerky, uncomfortable drive as well as added wear and tear on the transmission, differentials, and drive shafts.
Coming down the mountain, use D4 for the same up and down shift problems, as well as reducing wear on the brakes because of the added engine braking.......
One annoyance with my paddles that reoccurs...........I come to this stop sign, look left for traffic, turn hard right, try to accelerate, and find I'm locked in D1!
While turning the steering wheel, I must have hit the left paddle. If you can think fast over the engine roar, hit the right paddle several times to allow the transmission to up shift to Drive (D7).
Where the paddles are really useful is driving in the mountains. On the drive from Reno to Incline Village at Lake Tahoe there are numerous hills and curves, limiting your top speed to 45mph. As you start up the first hill, as the RPM drops to 2,000, hit the left paddle for D6. As the RPM drops again, hit the left paddle again, for D5, then finally to D4. Stay in D4 for the rest of the drive.
If you had not used the paddle, as you come to a reduced grade, the automatic transmission wants to up shift, then as you start on the next upgrade, downshift, making for a jerky, uncomfortable drive as well as added wear and tear on the transmission, differentials, and drive shafts.
Coming down the mountain, use D4 for the same up and down shift problems, as well as reducing wear on the brakes because of the added engine braking.......
One annoyance with my paddles that reoccurs...........I come to this stop sign, look left for traffic, turn hard right, try to accelerate, and find I'm locked in D1!
While turning the steering wheel, I must have hit the left paddle. If you can think fast over the engine roar, hit the right paddle several times to allow the transmission to up shift to Drive (D7).
Last edited by Keyser Soze; May 27, 2011 at 03:27 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 519
Likes: 50
From: Mississauga
GLA45 AMG, GLC43 AMG
if you want to up shift from D1 to top gear D7, just hold the right shift paddle, it will go to top gear automatically, once you have hit top gear release paddle, no need to tap tap tap to get there
I will use the paddle shift during city driving, especially during heavy traffic, can save myself from using the brakes as I can slow down the car enough, now the C350 was much more responsive than the ML but that is expected, it is a SUV....
I will use the paddle shift during city driving, especially during heavy traffic, can save myself from using the brakes as I can slow down the car enough, now the C350 was much more responsive than the ML but that is expected, it is a SUV....
Last edited by GateKeeper; May 27, 2011 at 07:56 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 359
Likes: 1
From: Kelowna, BC
'09 ML550
They really are there more as a marketing gimmick than anything else. Plus, since the main gear selecter doesn't have the -3-2-1 common on more traditional automatics, it is a way to select lower gears for things like snowy conditions.
Biggest problem is that shifts are quite slow with the paddles.
Re Keyser Soze's post: The owner's manual specifically warns against manually selecting lower gears as a brake. New brake pads are a lot cheaper than a transmission rebuild! The only time I would force a lower gear is for lo-o-ong downhill grades -- particularly if you have a heavy load or are pulling a trailer -- where constant brake use might lead to fade.
Otherwise the paddles are just so you can occasionally pretend you are Michael Schumacher.
Biggest problem is that shifts are quite slow with the paddles.
Re Keyser Soze's post: The owner's manual specifically warns against manually selecting lower gears as a brake. New brake pads are a lot cheaper than a transmission rebuild! The only time I would force a lower gear is for lo-o-ong downhill grades -- particularly if you have a heavy load or are pulling a trailer -- where constant brake use might lead to fade.
Otherwise the paddles are just so you can occasionally pretend you are Michael Schumacher.
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Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 134
Likes: 8
From: near Rochester, NY
2019 GLE400
Can they be "disconnected" via a computer linkage or by being unplugged??
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