What was Wrong with Column Autobox Shifters
Discussion
Sorry if this has been discussed before but it seems much more logical to have a lever on the column to change the gears so that you do not have to look down to check, you free up space in the centre and you do not have the ridiculous situation of forward for reverse and reverse for forward.
The old Borg Warner Model 8 with column change was so simple.
The old Borg Warner Model 8 with column change was so simple.
Vanin said:
Sorry if this has been discussed before but it seems much more logical to have a lever on the column to change the gears so that you do not have to look down to check, you free up space in the centre and you do not have the ridiculous situation of forward for reverse and reverse for forward.
The old Borg Warner Model 8 with column change was so simple.
I believe it was one of the first things they moved when at improving vehicle crash safetyThe old Borg Warner Model 8 with column change was so simple.
they were simply awkward, at least the vertical ones were
with most column shifters you essentially rotate it towards or away from your other hand on the steering wheel while holding that other other hand perfectly steady, or possibly doing a steering input.
There is just something about handling 2 different rotating devices at the same time which is a little cack handed and uncomfortable feeling, where as something to rotate in 1 hand, something to push and pull in the other, seems to have a much nicer feel to it
with most column shifters you essentially rotate it towards or away from your other hand on the steering wheel while holding that other other hand perfectly steady, or possibly doing a steering input.
There is just something about handling 2 different rotating devices at the same time which is a little cack handed and uncomfortable feeling, where as something to rotate in 1 hand, something to push and pull in the other, seems to have a much nicer feel to it
Vanin said:
Sorry if this has been discussed before but it seems much more logical to have a lever on the column to change the gears so that you do not have to look down to check, you free up space in the centre and you do not have the ridiculous situation of forward for reverse and reverse for forward.
The old Borg Warner Model 8 with column change was so simple.
How many people look down to change gear in a car they've owned for more than a month?The old Borg Warner Model 8 with column change was so simple.
BarbaricAvatar said:
How many people look down to change gear in a car they've owned for more than a month?
I do every time I want to see what gear I need to be in for corners and hills, if I am in manual mode on my Volvo.I thought that it may have been to do with making it easier for manufacturers when creating left and right hand drive models.
The other issue that you have not mentioned is the forward for reverse and reverse for forward which is counter intuitive.
At least on the little Peugeot 1007 with the auto box the lever does goes back for reverse and the paddles do work well ,but again why not put the gear lever on the column now it is only a switch and not a mechanical link.
Tractors generally have better systems than cars nowadays with dinky little column levers for forward, reverse and neutral and buttons on the lever for selection.
McSam said:
You'd like modern Mercedes, then.
^^^^ ExactlyColumn shifter for P-R-N-D and flappy paddles to shuffle the 7 ratios. works very well.
.... but does leave the question of why German manufacturers seem determined to fit as many column stalks as possible to their cars! Four is going it a bit in my opinion.
Ozzie Osmond said:
McSam said:
You'd like modern Mercedes, then.
^^^^ ExactlyColumn shifter for P-R-N-D and flappy paddles to shuffle the 7 ratios. works very well.
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