Does anyone use their paddle shifters? I don't deliberately use them, but I often accidentally shift when my fingers bump the paddle as I'm turning the wheel. If they were removable, I would remove them. The only time I can image paddle shifting is during a descent of Pike's Peak.

 

I've used them just to mess around, but not while driving regularly.

Putting it in S mode, does mostly what I want if I'm feeling spunky.

 

Pretty much the same, but I did use them on some Wisconsin back roads and enjoyed getting the hang of them.

 

I seem to have developed a reflexive avoidance of the paddles when they are not needed. I like using them on most North Georgia drives for coming down a lot of hills, and the occasional mountain grade (perhaps not Pikes Peak). More routinely, I use them around Atlanta to combine both pedal and engine braking and speed adjustment to further extend the life of my brake pads. They also work out well for very infrequent bumper-to-bumper crawls (retired, so not trapped into daily commute challenges).

 

I have had them on my 2010, and I have them on my EX.

I didn't use them, and I don't use them.

I've been told it''s a "Generational" or age thing. Where younger drivers are more use to the paddle shift feel because of playing video games.

For me? It just doesn't feel right. I barely use them at all.

 

I use mine all the time, in and out of S mode, I always downshift when decelerating and usually only upshift in S mode. I'm in my mid 50's so I don't think it's generational, it's more about how involved you are in driving I think.

 

I use mine a LOT for long hill decent they rock, don't have to ride the brake and it holds back just fine.

For regular driving I occasionally hit S mode to get on a freeway if its a short/steep onramp.

 

Agreed. We recently came back from a very mountainous 10 day road trip and used third through fifth gears quite extensively going down hills for engine braking. Not sure how I would have accomplished this level of control in the LX model.

 

With a manual tranny

 

when I test drove the CVT I kept hitting downshift when I wanted upshift ... I was giving the salesman a real case of agita.

 

May not be.
I just remember a similar discussion years ago, about the paddle shifters on my 2010 Honda Fit where I admitted to not using them, and I was told that my unfamiliarity with them might come from NOT playing video games that have similar "paddle" like gear changes.

If you like the option?
I think great.
I've experimented both years ago with my 2010, and again with my new 2016, and I just can't get into using them. I call "S" mode...the "S"tupid mode because it makes my automatic transmission forget how to shift.
I know that's the whole point...to allow user input..but I've driven manual transmissions before, and it just doesn't feel right to me.

I can see where in climbing hills or maybe in snow or ice, having the option might be useful.

 

I don't see how the paddle shifters are related to "video games" whatsoever. Whoever told you that must think "button" = "video game". (don't mean any offense to you)

According to wikipedia, the first paddle shifter interface could be found as early as 1912, way before any video games. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semi-a...c_transmission

Also, formula one cars use paddle shifters.

In my view, paddle shifters are much faster and way more consistent with changing gears over a manual stick-shift/clutch. Also, as tbfit says, they are very useful going down hills and mountains. However, to answer the OP's question, no, I don't really use mine either, lol.

 

Can't really argue or defend it one way or another.
But having grown up learning how to shift a manual transmission with a clutch, I do think there is a generational difference.

Many young people coming up, not even learning how to drive a manual. For them? There is probably a familiarity link to "shifting" in a video game like manner...which would be like pressing paddle shifters.

Doesn't really matter though.

I'm not a big fan of the paddle shifters regardless.

 

Engine braking on an LX? Easy! Just set the cruise control about 5MPH below the desired speed and the transmission will hold the desired speed all the way down any mild downgrade.

 

i suppose if u want to downshift to pass someone on a bicycle or something u could use it.

on da GK, its best to keep it in sport mode and NOT use the paddles imo

 

I use them all the time in D mode, never in S, mostly for:

- Arriving to a red light I almost use no brakes a all, downshift untill in 1st and almost stopping, then brake.

- When going into a sharp turn, downshift to get some engine brake and set the weight forward, turn and press the gas, the CVT will keep the selected gear until needed or red line arrives (depending on how hard you accelerate) then return to D mode.

- Going down on slopes to avoid brake wear, as lots of people have already post.

This is my first auto car (I'm 57) so I tend to do with the paddles what I usually did on manuals.

 

Agreed, I love the CVT paddles. I recently took a 1800 mile winter trip through the Canadian Rockies. It was my Fit's first road trip. There was plenty of snow, ice, freezing rain and 8% grades. It was so convenient to downshift with the steering wheel controls -- I think I'll start using the paddles around town on the hills instead of using the brakes.

I was surprised the fuel economy gauge remained pegged at 90mpg on downhills no matter whether I was using D4 or D7. How does downshifting work, I mean, why doesn't it affect fuel economy?

 

Doesn't that add more wear on the CVT Belt?

 

Not that I don't do this with my manual, but...brakes are a cheaper repair than a worn trans ... just sayin'

 

Engine braking will save the brakes for the turns on long downhills. I used the paddle shifters constantly to provide engine braking and safe speed on a recent mountainous road trip.