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“I love the paddles but never use them!”

9K views 51 replies 22 participants last post by  Andy Bowden 
#1 ·
I’m quite happy with the gearbox and the decisions it makes. What am I missing by leaving it to do all the work instead of using those lovely metal devices?
 
#8 ·
The ZF-8 auto box is cleverer than any auto box I've driven before and in normal circumstances I don't use the paddles, except for selecting Neutral or Drive.

I will sometimes change down using the paddles when, for example, slowing to enter a roundabout to have the ability to pull away quicker. Though with the torque on tap that really isn't necessary.

When pressing on on a country road, I may use the paddles to change down for a bend though I do find that the box often holds the lower gear longer than I would like, so I'm more likely to use Manual and the paddles for a spirited drive.

Andy
 
#17 ·
Yes that does select Neutral and reselects drive in auto.

My preference is to push the gear lever to left manual and immediately right to auto avoiding being in neutral.

Andy
 
#11 · (Edited)
I use them a fair bit on the motorway on overtaking manoeuvres for a bit more zip rather than kicking down.

Longer Pull (-) Shifts by 2 D8 -> D6 for example.

Long Pull (+) sticks it back in D Full Auto

You can pull down for longer according to the manual ... but haven’t found the need to as yet [emoji848]



And they also feel lovely [emoji106]


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#12 ·
I use the paddles for 1 mile of my commute home every day. It's a tight, twisty, uphill road. Also, I always use the paddles when moving from Park to Drive. Apart from that, auto all the way.

When I was younger I constantly played Richard Burns Rally on the PC with my steering wheel and paddles. This is just the grown up equivalent. Unnecessary but just so satisfying.
 
#16 ·
I use them for locking it in a particular gear for roundabouts, so it doesn't change up or down while in the roundabout. I also use them prolifically for engine braking when on a twisty road, and again, locking into gear mid corner, then changing up quickly to keep it in the torque band. As well as all of the above. The entire gearbox/paddles set up is completely flawless in my opinion. It makes the diesel Giulia a genuinely seriously quick back road machine without going into silly speeds.
 
#21 ·
So far as I am aware, the only way to change to full manual is to move the gear lever over to the left.

Reverting to auto can either be done by returning the lever to the right or by pulling up on both paddles followed by the right paddle only. I prefer the former method as it avoids the one or two seconds spent in neutral.

Andy
 
#23 ·
I don't use the paddles at all in A mode (other than for finding neutral and drive ) . I use them now and then while in N mode auto, for precise overtakes rather than using kickdown. Dynamic mode, which perhaps strangely I don't find I use very often, is pretty much all manual paddleshift and Race mode totally so.

I do sometimes find myself stroking them, or running my fingers up and down them! Is that just me?
 
#24 ·
I do sometimes find myself stroking them, or running my fingers up and down them! Is that just me?
Nope Guilty as charged.......
They are just so damned tactile..... almost sexual !

A feature of the Paddles is the downshifting. If you are approaching a tee junction quickly a long continuous pull on the left paddle will select the gears sequentially, not quite at peak Revs, but at about 5k. It will drop right down to first, but that’s a bit harsh so I tend to stop at second and select first as I stop.

I do use the paddles a few times in a typical week, but never use full manual. I find the way it moves itself back into Auto is just spot on, it seems to sense when you don’t really need to use them, but obviously lets you start again at any time you feel like it.
 
#31 ·
Around the time I bought my first Alfa , the Cloverleaf Club still existed and it held track days. LandRover hold days for their customers to know the capabilities of the cars or “vehicles” as they are taught to call them. It would be good, even for a nominal fee to have days where we could learn what our cars can do.
 
#33 ·
About the time I bought my first Alfa, Fangio was still racing.

Andy
 
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#38 ·
Wonderful to read that someone is driving in manual and using the gears as 'they' want to. Having come from a manual Boxster and having ordered a Veloce my intention is to use the manual gears as much as possible, especially to slow down and overtake, it's just so much more fun.
 
#39 ·
My expectation when getting my Quadrifoglio was that I'd spend the majority of time in manual.

However, two years and 23,000 miles later, I've come to realise how good the ZF-8 box is and I limit use of manual to country or mountain roads when I'm pressing on and, yes, for overtakes. I guess I'm spending 10% of the time in manual.

Andy
 
#40 ·
(I hope you'll forgive the intrusion by an ex-member. I've had a glass, so I'm feeling bold.)

I only drove manuals until I bought a Škoda Sportline (2.5 years ago) after test driving a Giulia. (Unfortunately, before the Veloce was introduced.) Anyway, I've got a VW DSG auto transmission that can be used in manual and with paddles. The difference is, the paddles are located on the steering wheel, so they're always under hand when you need them. On my Giulia test drive, the huge levers disappeared as soon as you moved off a straight line. I said as much to the salesperson, but I suppose you get used to it.

Mainly, a modern automatic was a revelation. I stick it in manual when I'm in the Lake District and want to hold a gear, so, hardly ever. Even in full auto, I can just flick the stick back if I want to catch a lower gear to maintain speed downhill.

The Giulia is so much more of a drivers' car, I'm not surprised to read so many of you like using the paddles. The Škoda is a brilliant, utilitarian tool, but it's a cruiser and load carrier. No regrets on the purchase, but I keep hovering around this site. The Misano blue Giulia that parks around the corner is a lovely motor. But, by the time I'm ready for another car, it will have to be hybrid and all cars will have speed limiters on them.

Might as well get a mobility scooter...
 
#41 ·
I only drove manuals until I bought a Škoda Sportline (2.5 years ago) [...]
Anyway, I've got a VW DSG auto transmission that can be used in manual and with paddles. The difference is, the paddles are located on the steering wheel, so they're always under hand when you need them. On my Giulia test drive, the huge levers disappeared as soon as you moved off a straight line. I said as much to the salesperson, but I suppose you get used to it.
I had an Octavia with the DSG and paid for the paddles. I *didn't* like that they turned with the wheel. Admittedly only at low speed with significant lock engaged, several times I clicked down/up when I wanted the opposite change. Eventually I started knocking the selector itself tiptronic style when in this situation.
I much prefer knowing where the paddles are. Given their size (and beauty) you can't miss them and there's no risk of shifting the wrong way.
I guess pushing hard, perhaps on a track, you might benefit from having them on the wheel, but on balance I much prefer them on the column, in a known position. YMMV :blabla:
 
#44 ·
I think the key to understanding by the fixed paddles work on the Giulia is simply down to the fact you are unlikely to need to change gear when your handspan is outwith the paddles. Two reasons, one the paddles are enormous compared to most (any) other cars. Secondly the steering rack is quicker than most ( any) other car.
You would need about 180 degrees of lock before it’s a problem, by then you are into a roundabout or a 90 degree bend situation, neither of which you are likely to change gear in.

The biggest problem I find with driving in manual is the selection of the right gear for a corner, in a five or six speeder it’s just seemed obvious, it never seems to be for me with 8!. The Auto seems to have this sorted better than me!
 
#45 ·
I have had a lot of fun in my Veloce since buying it but 99% in auto. I just wanted to get used to the car before going into the paddles but am looking forward to doing so based on what I’ve read. Especially on the overtake as the car feels like it has a little dip when in Normal and then once it drops flies.

I am sat here wishing I’d gone for the performance pack though, I imagine the LSD would really bring joy with the paddles. I didn’t bother on the basis I needed the car ASAP. Ah well. It Is what it is.
 
#48 ·
Just leave it in drive and use the e-brake at the lights ... then just kick down on green, much more fun [emoji106]


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#49 ·
I do agree that the box is great and probably 'knows better' but that's no fun. It's so easy to get lazy and allow the box to drive as it does such a good job but where is the driver in all this, just turning the wheel.

This car can be driven with real involvement, energy and skill in manual, auto works but it's not maximizing the car sporty ability.

But yes, auto works well enough (with one hand tied behind my back).
 
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#51 ·
This may have been covered before my apologies if so.

Having been driving in manual recently I have discovered that even in this state the box overrides my wished and will change up at red revs or change down on its own at low revs. This means that, besides not being able to stall the car, its just another version of a auto box but with a far wider rev band.
 
#52 ·
My Quadrifoglio behaves as you describe, except it doesn't change up at the red line if you are in D whilst it does in N.

Andy
 
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