How to Use the Shadow Leopard Paddle Shifters?
2 Answers
First, select the manual mode, usually by pressing a button to switch modes. Then, shift the gear lever to the D position. Note that when in D gear, if you stop using the manual mode for a while, the transmission will revert to automatic mode. To upshift, lift the paddle toward the driver using your index and middle fingers. To downshift, press the paddle toward the steering wheel using your thumb. By using the paddle shifters, when the engine speed is appropriate, the driver can freely switch to the desired gear without taking their hands off the steering wheel.
Using the paddle shifters on my daily drive with the Emgrand is super satisfying. There's a small paddle on each side behind the steering wheel—left for downshifting and right for upshifting. You don’t need to switch the gear lever to manual mode; just flick them while in automatic D mode. For example, when overtaking and the throttle feels sluggish, a quick downshift or two revs up the engine, making acceleration much quicker. Going downhill, downshifting helps control speed and reduces brake wear. At first, I wasn’t very smooth and would jerk the car by shifting too abruptly, but after a few drives, I got the rhythm. Even in city traffic, downshifting for slow cruising feels smooth. Overall, it adds a more personalized and flexible driving experience without the full hassle of traditional manual shifting—just avoid random shifts that might annoy neighbors with loud engine noise!
