Benzworld.org - Mercedes Benz Discussion Forum - View Single Post - Hows do you like the paddle shifter on the auto t

dsb · 08-09-2005, 08:54 PM

I chose to revive this thread because:

A) I can't understand the reasoning behind the paddle shifters.
B) I either don't understand or am having problems with the transmission in regards to finding the "optimal gear."

A) It seems to me that the best type of paddle shifters are found on the steering column and not on the steering wheel itself. That way, you always know the right side is to upshift and the left is to downshift. The next best scenario is each side can up/downshift ie slk350. Then in the sportier slk55, they resort to left side- downshift and rightside-upshift on the steering wheel. That just doesn't make sense because if you have a spirited drive and change gears while the wheel is not upright, you could easily accidentally shift to the wrong gear. Again, I just don't understand this logic. Am I missing something?

B) Holding the downshift paddle or gear level is supposed to make the transmission switch to the optimal gear. I thought that it would jump several gears if necessary (ie 7th to 4th gear). However, this only seems to work if you are driving in "D" mode and mash the throttle down. When I use the paddle or pull left on the gear and hold it; the transmission will go to the optimal gear but first downshifts to all others in between (ie 7th to 6th to 5th to 4th). Is this right?

08-09-2005, 08:54 PM	#13 (permalink)
dsb BenzWorld Veteran Date registered: Mar 2005 Vehicle: '06 SLK55 Location: sacramento, ca Posts: 797	RE: Hows do you like the paddle shifter on the auto t I chose to revive this thread because: A) I can't understand the reasoning behind the paddle shifters. B) I either don't understand or am having problems with the transmission in regards to finding the "optimal gear." A) It seems to me that the best type of paddle shifters are found on the steering column and not on the steering wheel itself. That way, you always know the right side is to upshift and the left is to downshift. The next best scenario is each side can up/downshift ie slk350. Then in the sportier slk55, they resort to left side- downshift and rightside-upshift on the steering wheel. That just doesn't make sense because if you have a spirited drive and change gears while the wheel is not upright, you could easily accidentally shift to the wrong gear. Again, I just don't understand this logic. Am I missing something? B) Holding the downshift paddle or gear level is supposed to make the transmission switch to the optimal gear. I thought that it would jump several gears if necessary (ie 7th to 4th gear). However, this only seems to work if you are driving in "D" mode and mash the throttle down. When I use the paddle or pull left on the gear and hold it; the transmission will go to the optimal gear but first downshifts to all others in between (ie 7th to 6th to 5th to 4th). Is this right?