Paddle Shift Inputs
Paddle Shift Inputs
Paddle Shift functionality allows the drive to request gear shifts. While this functionality is named 'Paddle', it can be used with any gear shift request inputs. e.g. a tiptronic part of a gear selector T-bar (a.k.a. PRNDL stick).
When a paddle is pressed, if the Transmission Control function is in an appropriate mode and no shift inhibits prevent the shift, a gear shift will occur.
Note that if a paddle shift request is made by the driver, but the transmission function determines that the shift cannot be done at the moment, then it will be added to the Transmission Control Paddle Shift Stack. This channel tracks how many up- or down-shifts the driver has requested but haven't been performed yet. The advantage of the shift stack is that if a driver knows that a certain corner should be taken in 2nd gear, but they're currently in 6th gear, they can tap the down-shift paddle 4 times and those 4 shifts will happen when it's safe to do so. The paddles could even be tapped before the driver starts braking, so they can concentrate optimally on braking and corner entry. Obviously you cannot shift above top gear or below first gear (except the special behaviour to select Neutral and/or Reverse), and the paddle shift stack will never have stacked requests above top gear or below first gear.
The following can prevent a shift from occurring straight away, which results in it staying on the paddle shift stack:
- Shift Inhibit table conditions not met.
- Block Down Shift Over-Rev enabled and a down-shift would cause Engine RPM to exceed Main RPM Limiter End RPM.
- A shift is already in progress.
- Post-shift block-out.
Clearing the Paddle Shift Stack can be done by:
- The shift(s) actually occurring.
- A shift in the opposite direction occurring.
- A paddle shift request in the opposite direction (this will also set the stack to one shift in the direction of the new request).
Paddles Shift to Neutral
This functionality allows the driver to select Neutral and Reverse using the paddles, without the need for a gear selector position input (sometimes known as T-Bar or PRNDL stick).
It can only be used on transmissions where the ECU has sufficient control of the transmission to put it into Neutral and/or Reverse gear. Many sequential transmissions allow this, as do some modern automatic transmissions, but older transmissions do not.
The Paddles Shift to Neutral Enable setting will go red if enabled but the transmission selected doesn't allow the ECU to select Neutral and/or Reverse.
Note that if Generic Automatic is selected, it is up to the tuner to determine whether or not this functionality is available. The ECU also checks that the solenoid output pattern for Reverse is different to all other solenoid output patterns. This is to take into account that some transmissions utilise the gear selector itself to select between reverse and forward gears.
The Paddles Shift to Neutral Enable setting will go red if enabled but the transmission selected doesn't allow the ECU to select Neutral and/or Reverse.
Note that if Generic Automatic is selected, it is up to the tuner to determine whether or not this functionality is available. The ECU also checks that the solenoid output pattern for Reverse is different to all other solenoid output patterns. This is to take into account that some transmissions utilise the gear selector itself to select between reverse and forward gears.
On transmissions which have a lock-out for Neutral and/or reverse, the lock-out will need to be disabled in order for the ECU to shift into Neutral and/or Reverse. This can either be a permanent modification (removing the mechanism), a semi-permanent solution (e.g. holding the mechanism in the unlocked position with something solid), or require the driver to release the lock-out. There could be unintended behaviour if this is not done, which could result in damage.
Paddles Shift to Neutral Maximum Speed
In order to shift to Neutral the vehicle must be in first gear (Gear channel = 1) or reverse (Gear channel = -1).
If the Vehicle Speed function is enabled (recommended), then the Vehicle Speed channel must be less than or equal to the Paddles Shift to Neutral Maximum Speed setting. Recommended value 0-15 km/h (0-10 mph).
Paddles Shift to Neutral/Reverse Hold Time
To shift to Neutral or Reverse, the down-shift (if in first) or up-shift (if in reverse) paddle must be help for at least as long as the Paddles Shift to Neutral/Reverse Hold Time. This is intended to make it hard to accidentally shift to Neutral while driving. Recommended value 300ms.
If the conditions are met, then once the down-shift paddle has been held sufficiently long, the Transmission Control function will attempt to shift to Neutral.
Important: the driver will need to hold the clutch and/or brake pedal/lever while shifting to Neutral, and hold it until they have confirmation that it is in Neutral - either from a Neutral Light or a gear display which is based on a Gear Position Sensor. This is particularly important for motorbike transmissions where Neutral is a half shift between 1st and 2nd, as it's very easy for it to undershoot or overshoot Neutral and end up in a gear instead.
Once in Neutral, the driver can shift to first by pressing the Up paddle once, or shift to Reverse as detailed below. For transmissions with a clutch, the driver must have the clutch pedal/level in before shifting out of Neutral.
Shifting to Reverse
In order to shift to Reverse:
Must be in Neutral (Gear channel must be N / 0).
If the Vehicle Speed function is enabled (recommended), then the Vehicle Speed channel must be 0.
Hold the down-shift paddle for at least as long as the Paddles Shift to Neutral/Reverse Hold Time. This is intended to make it hard to accidentally shift to Reverse. Recommended value 300ms.
If the conditions are met, then once the down-shift paddle has been held sufficiently long, the Transmission Control function will attempt to shift to Reverse.
Important: In transmissions with a clutch, the driver will need to hold the clutch pedal/level while shifting to Reverse.
Upshift Request Voltage
The voltage read by the paddle shift sensor when the upshift request paddle is pressed. Hold down the upshift paddle and press the Calibrate button to determine this value.
Downshift Request Voltage
The voltage read by the paddle shift sensor when the downshift request paddle is pressed. Hold down the downshift paddle and press the Calibrate button to determine this value.
Voltage Tolerance
The voltage amount added either side of the Upshift or Downshift Request Voltage. If the voltage of the falls within this distance from either request voltage, the paddle is considered to be engaged.
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