[2023_ZL1-AUTO]

So... maybe I'm just used to how my QX80 Infinity manually shifts. But, manually shifting my QX80 seems more intuitive and more natural than manually shifting my ZL1, when using the shifter. My QX80, to up shift you pull the shifter back and to down shift you push it forward. My ZL1 is opposite from that and seems not as intuitive or natural. So, the ZL1 you push it forward for up shifting and pull it backwards for downshift. To me, that just seems "backwards". I wish there was a way to change it. But, I'll learn to live with it. I probably needs to stop manually shifting my QX80. This way I will just leaner the ZL1 and not mix them up by accident.

[arpad_m]

You're not the first to notice, I'm not sure why GM chose this "backwards" setup. It seems to follow the 2-3 manual shift and not the 1-2 that most people instinctively find better for manual mode in an automatic (pushing forward = downshift, pulling backward = upshift).

[roostere4]

Count me in on feeling the same way.

It just feels unnatural. Every time I try manual mode I just want to pull back to up shift. Can't tell you how many times I've accidentally downshifted.

[WhiteMale]

I find the paddles sloppy and lazy, there's a lag in there, I don't know but it's not too useful for me that way.

[Broooster]

Just think of it as you would ride a horse. Forward on the shifter (relaxing the reins) you go faster. Pulling back on the shifter (reins) slows it down. That's my farm boy description, lol.

[Tara Martin]

My 79 Z28 still has its original automatic shift on the console. It's only a three-speed turbo-hydramatic, but you pull it all the way back to drop it in first, then push forward and to the right to ratchet into second, let go and push it to the right and up again to get third.

The ZL1 auto-shifter works for me because of that, though I occasionally try to push it to the right, and it goes back into A10 mode.

I find the old Z28 shifter more satisfying as it mechanically snaps into the next gear while the ZL1 A10 is all electronic. I guess I'm an old schooler. I bought the 79 new, BTW.

Tara

[Curr]

Originally Posted by arpad_m

(pushing forward = downshift, pulling backward = upshift).

This is the way.

[ZPirate]

I've never driven a Gen 6 Camaro with an auto, but what you are describing sounds very counterintuitive. My previous auto BMW was like OP's Infinity. Push the shifter forward to downshift and pull the shifter back to upshift.

However, using the paddles was the best way to drive in manual mode, and you could keep both hands on the steering wheel. Left paddle for downshifts and right paddle for upshifts. Is that how the Camaro auto paddles work? Like I said I've owned two Gen6 Camaros and never driven an automatic.

[arpad_m]

Originally Posted by ZPirate

I've never driven a Gen 6 Camaro with an auto, but what you are describing sounds very counterintuitive. My previous auto BMW was like OP's Infinity. Push the shifter forward to downshift and pull the shifter back to upshift.

However, using the paddles was the best way to drive in manual mode, and you could keep both hands on the steering wheel. Left paddle for downshifts and right paddle for upshifts. Is that how the Camaro auto paddles work? Like I said I've owned two Gen6 Camaros and never driven an automatic.

Yes, the paddles work "correctly", just as you described: left paddle down, right paddle up. Alas, the shift knob itself, when popped over to manual mode, has the shift direction reversed compared to most people's expectations.

Now, if the paddles actuated on release and not at the end of their travel, perceived shift performance would skyrocket without ever touching the transmission hardware or software. Would've been such an easy trick for GM to implement

[CalgaryZL1]

This is the first non-race automatic vehicle that I want to occasionally manually shift other than with paddles, so pull down to downshift and push up to up shift made sense to me. The down is down and the up is up principle. When you’re on the dragstrip, you never pull down on the shifter to go to the next gear you always push up. I’m talking two, three speed automatics. (Slam shift)

[speedyink1]

Originally Posted by arpad_m

Yes, the paddles work "correctly", just as you described: left paddle down, right paddle up. Alas, the shift knob itself, when popped over to manual mode, has the shift direction reversed compared to most people's expectations.

Now, if the paddles actuated on release and not at the end of their travel, perceived shift performance would skyrocket without ever touching the transmission hardware or software. Would've been such an easy trick for GM to implement

That's disappointing to hear. In my mind I pictured the automatic version paddle shifts to feel really nice. The paddles themselves have a nice almost clicky sorta feel. Sucks to hear there's a delay, I'm sure it's frustrating having to adjust for it. The paddles would usually be my preferred method in an auto situation.

[arpad_m]

Originally Posted by speedyink1

That's disappointing to hear. In my mind I pictured the automatic version paddle shifts to feel really nice. The paddles themselves have a nice almost clicky sorta feel. Sucks to hear there's a delay, I'm sure it's frustrating having to adjust for it. The paddles would usually be my preferred method in an auto situation.

I will say that the 10L90 shifts faster than my 8L90, so the delay isn't as bad on the auto ZL1, but it's still there.

However, in my experience the transmission is fairly easy to control with the gas and the brake pedals, because the TCM analyzes your inputs and runs different shitfing algorithms depending on which driving mode you're in and how aggressive it perceives your driving.

On top of that, there is a "performance shift mode", another separate "high perf" algorithm that you can turn on by briefly blipping the throttle to the floor, as if the pedal was a footswitch; in this mode, the TCM tries to keep you in the meat of the powerband at all times, it will downshift eagerly and hover around 3.5-4k rpm to anticipate heavy throttle and brake inputs. It turns off on its own once it sees you drive like a grandma for 30 seconds or so, or one can turn it off with the shift knob.

All in all, I rarely see the need for the paddles even on my 8-speed, the computer does a pretty good job (assisted by the TCM tune I got from Jannetty Racing). The shift algorithms on the 10-speed are said to be even better.

[radz28]

If I recall, GM spent A LOT of time calibrating the automatic mode on these cars such that it wasn't necessary and faster to manually shift. With how many layers it seems the signal from the paddles to the actual mechanicals in the tranny there is, it's almost no wonder why it might take so long.

I'm not arguing it takes the fun out of the paddles a bit, but I couldn't find a reviewer that complained about the auto-shifting when going around a track. Less engaging? Probably for some. Faster around the track? It would seem so. With all the gears in this box, it kinda' makes sense.

JMO.

[ZPirate]

Originally Posted by speedyink1

That's disappointing to hear. In my mind I pictured the automatic version paddle shifts to feel really nice. The paddles themselves have a nice almost clicky sorta feel. Sucks to hear there's a delay, I'm sure it's frustrating having to adjust for it. The paddles would usually be my preferred method in an auto situation.

Yes it is disappointing. Unfortunately most automatic transmissions when shifted manually don't shift as good as a dual clutch transmission does. I suppose some are better than others. I have heard that the A10 in the Camaro does a really good job of being in the right gear based on the driving mode it's in of shifting when left to it's own devices.

I personally just prefer a manual transmission in a performance car. I guess I'm old school in that respect.