How to Use Paddle Shifters

Want to know how to use paddle shifters? In this video I talk you through how and when to use them, up shifting, down shifting and more. The paddle shifters might look different in your car, but whether you have an Audi, BMW, Mercedes or any other ride with paddles it works the same.

Learn how to #paddleshift and unlock better performance from your car!

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In this video, the vehicle used had the following specs:
2024 Mustang GT Premium
- 401a High Package
- 10 speed automatic transmission
- Dark Matter Grey Metallic Exterior
- Over the Top Stripe
- GT Performance Package
- Bronze Appearance Package
- Active Valve Exhaust
- Brake Calipers, Red
- Recaro Leather Seats
- Floor liners with carpet mats

MSRP of vehicle:
$74,440 Canada
$62,140 USA

Link to this build:

**Camera/Video Gear Used As Of November 2023**
iPhone 14 Pro

Timestamps:
00:00 - How Paddle Shifters Work, Different Setup Options and Down/Up Shifting
03:15 - Manual Mode in Automatic Transmissions, When to Shift Up and Down
06:00 - Summary and Driving Examples

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The content of this channel is for entertainment purposes only. You should confirm vehicle features, availability, payload and towing capacity, pricing and options with your local dealer. Steve, nor any of his employees, officers or representatives accept responsibility for any loss or damage, costs or liabilities whatsoever that may result from accessing or relying on information found in the video contents or comment section of this channel.

Music by: Steve Grey

#paddleshifters #2024fordmustang #howto

[severinkonan]

I recently bought my first BMW for the fun, but I haven’t been able to use the paddle shifters until I watched your video. This is the most well explained video on paddle shifters I watched so far. And trust me I have watched quite a few. Thank you man

[lakennnnnn]

thank u for this!!! i finally have the chance to try out paddles and honestly didnt know much about them until this video

[qalih]

Clearest video hands down on the topic

[allenashkar]

Good point you made that even in manual mode, the transmission still shifts on its own to safer positions in order to protect itself.

[joseleger]

Probably the best video explaining this

[prilep]

I bought Mercedes Sprinter and never drove with paddle shifters until now after watching your video great explanation. Not being funny or cool just pure instructions thank you

[BlueArdyn]

This is an amazing well explained video, helped me really gain a better understanding of manual mode in my vehicle.

[nehemiah]

Great content! Exactly the video I needed 🙏🏾🔥

[eliamaraguero]

Tx a lot, very good explanation. I took long time before to find such video. Bravo.

[Corrctions]

Finally a perfect explanation and test run. Doing this felt more natural in my Audi A4 07 but now im in a 2018 Acura TLX and I don’t think the car and I get along too well yet. Going to also reset transmission learned driving patterns of past owners and try again. I’ll tinker and get back to ya.

[JohnSmith-yv]

Ha, after several years of watching lots of stuff on YT, your channel is the first channel I've subscribed to. Just now. Your content is quite good, and varied, and explained thoughtfully, and just what I need to know as I've just bought my first Jeep, a 2024 Rubicon 392 and I have a lot to learn. Thank you.

[littlebird]

Great, clear, information. I drove a manual Miata for many years (I miss it). The reason I chose the QX70S was for the paddle shifters. I wanted to be able to drop a gear to get around slow traffic. The question I cant seem to find the answer to is: is there a way to drop a gear while in drive mode without having to put the car in manual mode first? This is the scenario I think would happen most often. I believe I can use my gear shift to drop down a gear after moving it over to manual mode instead of using the paddles, which seems like it may be quicker but still requires switching from drive to manual mode. Hope that makes sense.

[isaac.henry__]

How come downshifting makes engine braking but when you want to speed up on the highway you downshift ?

[ponycamaro]

I recently acquired a Factory new 2024 Camaro 2SS automatic. Until your video- I was very confused about the concept of paddle shifting . Your video was a very helpful tutorial explaining how to use the cars paddle shifters. However I still have one question to clear up and that’s: does the car have to be in in Manual mode before the paddle shifters can be engaged? Or can I use the paddle shifters in both the manual or the Auto
Modes? Sorry 😢 if this seems like a “Hair Brain” question.

[bobdroidsky]

My Ford Escort Ecoboost has a turbo. A thing to consider is that any turbo needs to spool up to give you maximum power, or else you may find yourself in a "turbo lag".

[RahulSingh-wcey]

Hi Steve, i have a couple of questions i would appreciate if you could answer them.

1) Lets say we are in 6th gear and we start to decelerate are we supposed to go down in gears incrementally? Or can we just hold down - paddle shifter and skip to 1st gear?

2) Also, is there a certain RPM we need to downshift at? When my car is in automatic mode i notice that when downshifting incrementally from gear 8 to 7 to 6 to 5 to 4 to 3 and to 2nd it usually downshifts around 2k rpm and when shifting from 2nd to 1st it shifts right under 1k rpm. Does it matter at which RPM you are downshifting when slowing down vs speeding up/trying to pass someone?

3) ive heard someone say if your going really fast like 80-100 mph you shouldnt drop below 3rd gear when your downshifting is this true? Whats the rule for that if there is any? Lets say im going fast and want extra torque am i not allowed to drop from 6th to lets say 3rd or 2nd gear? Also, when your downshifting in this scenario do you need to go down in increments or can you skip from 6th to 3rd?

4) what do you do when you are in the middle of turning? Are you not supposed to shift at all during this?

[HoldYourBike]

Sorry if this is a dumb question so messing up when to shift or staying at the same gear will not damage the car?

[bobp]

Great video. If you are manual shifting and get to say, 50 mph, and you are in 4th gear and you stay there, will the car automatically go to the top transmission gear? 10th? thanks

[NewYorkWX]

Good to see this video. 2018 Toyota Corolla, Just wanted to ask if we need start off with manual shift or while drving, can we change to M and shift up and down ? Example, if i am on the highway driving automatic and can i shift to manual by changing from D to M ? Is manual shift conducive to normal drving conditions on highway ?

[Lethalmax]

I have paddle shifters and have been wanting it do it, I just have been worried about doing something wrong. I think I might give it a try this weekend though. thanks for the video. Oh also, 3500 seems to be the "safe zone" that ive been hearing about, Is that vehicle specific, or is that just a rule of thumb?