Do You Need to Lift the Throttle When Using Paddle Shifters?
3 Answers
Paddle shifters do not require lifting the throttle. Installing paddle shifters on a family car essentially adds a manual mode to the automatic transmission, allowing gear changes without taking your hands off the steering wheel. This makes driving smoother and quicker while adding a bit of fun, so there's no need to hesitate when shifting—you can use the paddles even while pressing the throttle. Typically, the left paddle is for downshifting and the right for upshifting, though some models use a single action (pulling or pressing both paddles) for shifting. To use paddle shifters, simply shift the gear lever to D, S, or manual mode, then switch to the appropriate gear via the paddles once the engine reaches the optimal RPM.
I've been driving an automatic transmission car with paddle shifters for several years, and from my personal experience, you don't need to completely lift off the throttle. During aggressive driving, directly downshifting with the paddles while maintaining throttle actually makes the transition smoother, as the engine automatically blips the throttle to match revs. Especially when overtaking on the highway, keeping the right foot steady on the throttle and downshifting with the left hand brings immediate power. However, for smooth daily driving, slightly easing off the throttle before shifting feels more comfortable, otherwise it might cause jerking. The key is to understand the vehicle's tuning—some performance cars shift faster without lifting the throttle. For cars with modified ECU programs, it's especially important to first test your car's response characteristics.
As an experienced driver, I recommend beginners to slightly lift off the throttle when using paddle shifters. Although the vehicle's computer can help match the RPM, releasing the throttle before shifting has two benefits: first, it reduces transmission shock, which is better for the clutch plates in the long run; second, it allows for better control of power delivery, avoiding abrupt acceleration. However, many new cars now have very intelligent electronic systems. When I drove my friend's new sports sedan, shifting without lifting the throttle was still very smooth. The key is driving habits—if you want convenience, just operate directly; if you want precision, coordinate with the throttle. On the track, it's a different story—there, you need to maintain full throttle opening.
