Paddle shifters?

Question

How do these things work? I can't imagine trying to drive and move paddles at the same time. Seems too confusing can someone explain it to me?

I should say it's confusing compared to a regular manual transmission. Trying to find those paddles while steering doesn't sound like fun.

Answer 1

The typical paddle shifter is nothing more then sending an electronic message to the transmission to shift (the tranny is still automatic). It's just for fun and you don't need to use it, but it's not confusing at all. If you think that's confusing don't get into a manual transmission, then you have the clutch to think about too.

Real paddle shifters, like that in race cars or Ferrari's, are hydraulic and actually shift the transmission, but the idea is the same, it's a simple pull on the right or left paddle.

Answer 2

I imagine they work just like a traditional sequential manual shifter, except that they are electronically hooked up. There is no mechanical linkage. I don't think they are more difficult to operate, they should be easier.