Auto/ semi auto do you use the paddles or gear shift

[p1tse]

Auto/ semi auto do you use the paddles or gear shift up and down, or go 99%+ lazy auto driving?

[shambolic]

Do all three depending on what mood I'm in.

[PanzerCommander]

I very rarely use the 123 selections on my gearbox, unless I want engine braking for going down a steep incline. It normally stays in D. I will occasionally flip the O/D off (only comes in above 35mph) if I want a bit more throttle response around town (40 zones).

Even for racing it stays in D, its far more consistent.

[jamieduff1981]

I've only got paddles and I do use them, but it's more for something to do to be honest. The engine is torquey enough and the gearbox fast enough to render them a bit unnecessary for road driving.

On mine you can switch from Drive to flappy paddle mode by touching a paddle, then change back either by holding the Up paddle for 2 seconds or just cruising for a bit. Rather than drive on the paddles, because to be honest changing from 3rd to 8th is just annoying, I tend to just downchange using the paddles from Drive before a corner should I feel the need then change back to drive after accelerating out again. It can reach the NSL in 2nd so gears 3-8 are just about saving petrol really and I leave the autobox to get on with that.

[Session8]

I used the auto function for the first 10 minutes or so of the test drive then paddles ever since in my M5.

I know the SMG has it's knockers but I get on with it just fine with no complaints, in fact I would say it's very very good when pressing on.

[jkh112]

For general round town driving and commuting I let the box take the strain. When out of town on the open road I tend to switch to manual mode.

[Matt UK]

Never had flappy paddles, but have had a few autos.

Used the gear selector during the test drive and then never again. D was just fine for commuting.

[MagicMike]

I have it on my C63, but haven't really used it. The S+ mode just preceding it in the selection is savage enough, holding gears. and popping and cracking on downshifts.

There again, I suppose it depends on your mood at the time, and on how good the box is in your particular car.

[Bisonhead]

I have 2 Audis. An A6 with an awful tiptronic box with the stupid steering wheel buttons. They never get used. I do sometimes but it in 'semi' but you have to push forward to go up and back to go down the gears. Doesnt seem right to me.

Same with the other, an A8. Doesnt have stupid steering wheel buttons thankfully but the 'semi' function is the same...rather pointless in a car like that really.

Regarding paddles on or behind the wheel. I have driven a couple of cars with them but didnt feel they were really set up to be anything more than a gimmick. One was a XF, the other a 3 series...both diseasal

[Mutts]

Tend to leave it in "D" for the boring part of the commute/round town driving, then if its nice winding roads, put it in "M" and use the paddles.
Or use the paddles to drop it down a gear or two if overtaking when driving in full auto.

[Ali_T]

Paddles, all the time. Mainly because auto mode in the SST box is nearly hopeless.

[Maxus]

I use the paddles very occasionally. Sometimes when preparing to overtake, sometimes to slow the car down and sometimes for a bit of interaction. The car is a diesel so it is not pleasant to rev the engine. The paddles were a cheap option when I ordered the car so I thought why not as they look quite nice.

[the_lone_wolf]

D for 99% of the time, the gear selection and D5 motor suit the lazy autobox... Volvo's "Geartronic" is hardly sporty but it's useful if you know the overtaking opportunity is round the next corner, or to get it to use engine braking when going downhill...

[epom]

I use auto for the traffic, dual carriageway part of my home from work journey about 15 mins and always make a point of switching to manual for the last 5 mins on B roads.

[DJP]

Don't have flappy paddles but I do have tiptronic facility. It works absolutely fine but I hardly ever use the manual mode (unless I'm ascending the Pyrenees or similar) since normal D mode works so well 99% of the time.

I've driven other cars that do have flappy paddles and found pretty much the same.

[Dog Star]

Had flappy paddles in my previous and current SLK.

Never ever use them (apart from to see if they work) - the auto is so good I can't see the point

[redtwin]

Stick it in "D" and let it do what I paid for it to.

Why have a dog and bark yourself?.

[TheRainMaker]

I had them on my RS6, never used them.

[mikey77]

I use the paddles on my Honda Accord for slowing at junctions and going downhill but only to try and cope with the problem of brake dust on the wheels - the worst occurrence on any car I've ever had.

[GTIR]

Only on the up shift because it's quieter and smoother, as I know when it's changing so can adjust my throttle accordingly.