Tiptronic/semiauto gearbox question
Discussion
What's the correct direction?
My new S60 has a semi-auto - you push forward to shift up. Really doesn't feel right.
My old CLK had one - you push right to shift up. Sounds stupid but it works.
BMWs - you pull down to shift up. This makes sense.
Porsche - push forward to shift up. Again, doesn't quite make sense even if it makes logical sense.
So which is the correct direction?

My new S60 has a semi-auto - you push forward to shift up. Really doesn't feel right.
My old CLK had one - you push right to shift up. Sounds stupid but it works.
BMWs - you pull down to shift up. This makes sense.
Porsche - push forward to shift up. Again, doesn't quite make sense even if it makes logical sense.
So which is the correct direction?

CB2152 said:
I'm pretty sure most if not all race cars with this setup are a "pull towards you to change up" affair, and I'd say that ergonomically, that makes more sense.
I thought as much! Yes, it feels right. When I wasn't thinking about it earlier, I accidentally changed down. Fortunately, I wasn't anywhere close to redlining (changed at 3k rpm as I was getting a feel for manual changes).Bet that came as a bit of a surprise!
BMW steering wheel mounted shifting used to be an odd one. They were like paddles which wrapped round to the thumb-hooking area (if you see what I mean) which meant you could push them away from the wheel with your thumbs.
It was then a case of pulling either the left or right paddle towards you to change up, and push either one away from you to change down, unlike the more traditional "right paddle pull is up, left paddle pull is down".
BMW steering wheel mounted shifting used to be an odd one. They were like paddles which wrapped round to the thumb-hooking area (if you see what I mean) which meant you could push them away from the wheel with your thumbs.
It was then a case of pulling either the left or right paddle towards you to change up, and push either one away from you to change down, unlike the more traditional "right paddle pull is up, left paddle pull is down".
Well, I'm not the only one who thinks only BMW got it right, then!
Matt UK said:
Funnily, Audi semi-autos are the wrong way round, too.CB2152 said:
Bet that came as a bit of a surprise!
BMW steering wheel mounted shifting used to be an odd one. They were like paddles which wrapped round to the thumb-hooking area (if you see what I mean) which meant you could push them away from the wheel with your thumbs.
It was then a case of pulling either the left or right paddle towards you to change up, and push either one away from you to change down, unlike the more traditional "right paddle pull is up, left paddle pull is down".
Heh. Just as well I didn't change at the redline or the engine might have jumped out of the bonnet and said, "SURPRISE!"BMW steering wheel mounted shifting used to be an odd one. They were like paddles which wrapped round to the thumb-hooking area (if you see what I mean) which meant you could push them away from the wheel with your thumbs.
It was then a case of pulling either the left or right paddle towards you to change up, and push either one away from you to change down, unlike the more traditional "right paddle pull is up, left paddle pull is down".
That BMW one rings a bell. Bit odd but kinda makes sense.
Hoofy said:
CB2152 said:
I'm pretty sure most if not all race cars with this setup are a "pull towards you to change up" affair, and I'd say that ergonomically, that makes more sense.
I thought as much! Yes, it feels right. When I wasn't thinking about it earlier, I accidentally changed down. Fortunately, I wasn't anywhere close to redlining (changed at 3k rpm as I was getting a feel for manual changes).
Only ones I've driven (Volvos) push forward for up & it feels totally wrong.
DSG on my Golf is push to change up, drives me ruddy mad after being a biker for decades!
Back or up (bike) to go change up, down or forward to change down - some owners have been known to swap the wiring on the switch under the centre console. But I'm not touching mine as it's on a lease.
Back or up (bike) to go change up, down or forward to change down - some owners have been known to swap the wiring on the switch under the centre console. But I'm not touching mine as it's on a lease.
kambites said:
Matt UK said:
kambites said:
How about paddles then, how should they work? I've used at least four different configurations.
Pull right to go up the gearsPull left to go down the gears

So rotate with the wheel please. I shouldn't really need to move my hand position on the wheel and I'd like the option to grab an upshift with lock applied.
As for the paddles getting pushed, set it as a non-funtion please as the only time that would occur is if I'm flailing around. If I'm trying to gather up a mistake, last thing I need is to Inadvertently nudge a paddle forward and have unexpected gear changes adding to the problem.

In a road car? Either H-pattern and a clutch pedal or if I want an auto, PRND.
But I don't want to encourage any drift from the OP, so lets ignore my last comment

Edited by Matt UK on Friday 20th February 20:08
Matt UK said:
For context I would only ever entertain paddles in a race car where time is everything.
So rotate with the wheel please. I shouldn't really need to move my hand position on the wheel and I'd like the option to grab an upshift with lock applied.
As for the paddles getting pushed, set it as a non-funtion please as the only time that would occur is if I'm flailing around. If I'm trying to gather up a mistake, last thing I need is to Inadvertently nudge a paddle forward and have unexpected gear changes adding to the problem.
In a road car? Either H-pattern and a clutch pedal or if I want an auto, PRND.
But I don't want to encourage any drift from the OP, so lets ignore my last comment
I've seen a couple of bike engined kit cars which have a paddles made up of a single piece of metal on a rocker so you pull right or push left to change up; pull left or push right to change down. So rotate with the wheel please. I shouldn't really need to move my hand position on the wheel and I'd like the option to grab an upshift with lock applied.
As for the paddles getting pushed, set it as a non-funtion please as the only time that would occur is if I'm flailing around. If I'm trying to gather up a mistake, last thing I need is to Inadvertently nudge a paddle forward and have unexpected gear changes adding to the problem.

In a road car? Either H-pattern and a clutch pedal or if I want an auto, PRND.
But I don't want to encourage any drift from the OP, so lets ignore my last comment


The BECs I've driven with sticks have all had pull for up, push for down (I think).
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