Hi all! I've had my 07' AT Fit Sport for almost 3 weeks and I've been experimenting with the paddle shifters. i know this function doesn't compare to having a real MT but can someone explain to me what exactly they do? When I bought the car, the salesman was kind of clueless and also probably wanted me to decide asap bc they were closing soon (jerks!) I've been shifting the gears based on feeling, like if i downshift and get a bit of a jerk and then the car slows down, then i upshift. Am I doing the right thing? I just don't want to damage the engine or something. Also, I've read elsewhere on the forum that some people drive ONLY on S mode. Anyone know if it saves more gas to drive on S mode?

 

Well the paddles shifters are there pretty much just for fun and that they are! There really isnt a wrong way of using them because they dont let you go past redline..But during spirited driving you can use them to keep your car high in the revs..No S mode doesnt save gas, if anything it can give you not as good MPG becasue S mode tries to keep you in the sweet spot of the RPM. If you paddle shift and try to keep the rpms low which is hard it may reward you with rather good MPGs!

 

I use the paddle shifters to down shift a lot while in D if I'm coming up to a red light or other reason I need to stop. Guess I'm just used to using the engine to brake from years of having a manual.

 

you can use the paddle shifters in D??

 

I have been. Just to down shift usually. It'll go back to "normal" after a few seconds.

 

You can, but unlike in S the car can override your decision.

 

thanks for the input guys

 

Read your owner's manual!

 

i did!!! it's kinda vague.. that's why i posted here