I'm a moron...please help me
 

All I know is driving automatic.I don't know what happens under the hood, I just drive & try not to run anyone down or plow into a cow's ass. So, can someone please explain to me in REAL SIMPLE terms how these paddle shifters should be used. If you start mentioning 1st gear,2nd gear,hi-gear,low-gear...I'll still be in the dark. Something like, it gives it more power going up a hill or it helps with traction in the snow,or prevents the car from going down a hill too fast is my level of understanding I think. For example: Is it OK to fiddle with the shifters while in "D" ? I tried & got spooked. While driving in "D" & then switching to "S" does anything happen ?
I get the impression that you should just use the paddles when you're in "S' mode ? Please bear with my ignorance...I should be spanked !!!
Hey, ya gotta start somewhere ? I told a friend that my Fit has 5 ? speeds & he said that as I'm accelerating from 0 to 60 mph, each gear clicks in at a particular speed. Is this process reversed when slowing down ? I'm such a loser. Ahh, forget it !!! Just beat me to death now !!!

well, i believe there's a bunch of threads about this already, but here's the easiest way to use them:

1. put it in S

2. gas, and as soon as you start to feel it lugging, like it's power is maxing out (at about 4000 RPM) hit the shifter on the right side of the wheel. that will let you upshift.

3. keep doing that every time it feels like it has no more power and gets really loud.

4. the engine will automatically downshift for you when you come to a stop, but if you feel up for a challenge, use the paddle on the left side of the wheel to downshift.

5. repeat 1-4 when you need to go again.

The first place to start looking for answers to your questions would be your Owner's Manual under Auto transmission. That's not meant to be condescending, but it will answer a number of the questions you just asked, and it's written in terms that most people should understand. If you're still having trouble with the terminology when you read it though, it's time for you to do some basic studying of automotive terms and concepts. The net is ripe with that kind of info, so it shouldn't be too difficult to find a good resource. Once you do a bit of research, you'll find out it's not magic under the hood, but actually pretty logical and fairly easy to grasp with a little effort and experience.

What Chikubi said
 

Please listen to Chikubi on this. You will get lots of opinions on this from forum users, some of these opinions very valid, most of them less so.

The paddle shifters can be used effectively in either D or S mode, or ignored altogether, depending on what you want or need.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE study your owner's manual, and experiment on your own with your paddle shifters. You will catch on. Good luck to you.

Its all about having fun with it. Dont stress out, you cant blow up your car with the paddle shifters. Youll learn on your own, no one can really teach you, its about experimenting. The more fun you try to have with it the faster you learn. Ive been driving stick since i first steped in a drivers seat, and yes its stressfull at first but the sooner you relax every thing else fals into place.

When you hear the engine start to get really loud tap the paddle that has the + on it..Thats all you need to know lol..

ROFL !!! :D:D:D This post rules !!! A little shot of humor in the afternoon is good for the heart. I vote for this post as "Post of the week". LOL

Listen to what the guys said. READ THE MANUAL. It should be all there.
Good luck

Put the selector in "D" for highway driving, "S" for city driving. Don't touch the paddles. If you accidently touch a paddle while in "S", switch to "D" momentarily and then back to "S". This way the automatic transmission will always automatically select the proper gear. This is how I do it. It works great.

Honestly, when you drive a car common sense SHOULD kick in. When I first learned to drive 5speed I was so worried. I always thought I wouldnt know what RPMs to shift at during daily driving, aggressive driving, when to downshift, and what not.

I did. Dont know how but it all just comes to you.

As for Yeeman's question. During daily driving leave the car in "D." If you want to run the car harder put it in "S" and rev the car out. Rev limiter will save you if your brain has a fart. Id suggest shifting around 6000rpms though. Or just shift when you get nervous.

P.S. Common sense doesnt always kick in. Thats is all.

ROFL!:D

Its already been said, read the manual, the target RPMs i shift at are around 3000-3500. Just have fun with it, practice in a BIG empty parking lot. Good luck!:)

A quick and intuitive way to teach yourself about gears would be to go for a bike ride. Go up a steep hill and you will soon learn when to use low and high gears, when to change up and down.

That's a great recommendation...

Which gear and what speed don't really matter. shift as needed to make the engine sound happy... if it sounds to buzzy, shift up. if it's starting to sound like a diesel, shift down...

okay, i think I'm getting the idea of shifter since I own a bike and don't plan on driving...much. but, i usually leave my bike in high gear, and if i'm going up a hill, i usually bike off the seat (standing) :p


but wow, i've been reading up on paddle shifter for the last hour, and your post just made everything make sense so thank you!

mmmmmmmmmmmMMMMMMMMM *right click* mmmmmmmmmmmmmmMMMMMMMMM *right click* mmmmmmmmmmmmmMMMMMMMMMMMM *right click* mmmmmmMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM *right click* mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmMMMMMMMMMMMM *hit cruise control* you should be going 65 MPH. go try it :P