How to Use the Civic's Paddle Shifters?
3 Answers
The paddle shifters on the Civic can only be used when the transmission gear lever is in D (Drive) or S (Sport) mode. When overtaking (or climbing a slope), pull the paddle shifter to downshift, forcing the transmission to drop a gear, which provides greater torque and power.
I absolutely love using the paddle shifters when driving my Civic—it feels incredibly exhilarating. Just press the '+' or '-' paddles behind the steering wheel to shift gears manually, without even touching the gear lever. The best part is, once you switch to manual mode, it obediently follows every gearshift decision you make, transforming the automatic transmission into a seamless semi-automatic experience. When overtaking, downshifting to rev up the engine delivers instant power, with the engine roaring to life—way quicker than just flooring the throttle. On long descents, you can also use lower gears to control speed and protect the brake pads. But don’t get too wild—it has built-in safeguards that’ll discreetly adjust gears if the revs spike too high or speed drops too low. Plus, paddle shifters paired with Sport (S) mode are a match made in heaven!
From my personal experience, the Civic's paddle shifters are particularly suitable for situations requiring precise power control. Driving in D mode is usually sufficient, but when encountering continuous curves or slippery roads during rain or snow, a simple flick of the fingers can lock the gear. The key point is there's no need to press the clutch or hesitate while watching the tachometer – the transmission responds instantly the moment you press the paddle, with the acceleration push almost simultaneous. Switching back to automatic mode is also easy; just hold the upshift paddle for two seconds and it reverts automatically. Once while driving downhill on a mountain road, this feature saved me from excessive brake usage. But remember not to downshift recklessly at low speeds, otherwise the car will jerk uncomfortably.
