What are steering wheel paddles?
2 Answers
Steering wheel paddles refer to the two paddles added behind the steering wheel, which can be used to perform gear shifting operations. Steering wheels are categorized into: single-spoke steering wheels, dual-spoke steering wheels, triple-spoke steering wheels, and quad-spoke steering wheels. Their working principle is: transmitting torque to the rack and pinion mechanism, thereby pushing the wheels to turn left or right. The method to adjust the height of the steering wheel is: 1. Locate the handle at the bottom of the steering wheel; 2. Press the handle to adjust. The method to operate the steering wheel is: 1. Place both hands with appropriate force at the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions on the steering wheel; 2. Naturally grip the wheel with four fingers inward and extend the thumbs naturally along the edge of the steering wheel.
I remember back when I first started driving, there weren't all these fancy features. Nowadays, paddle shifters have become a common thing. They're just small plastic or metal tabs behind the steering wheel, one on each side. You can manually shift gears with a simple flick. For example, press the left paddle to downshift and the right one to upshift—no need to fiddle with the gear lever. I tried it a few times in my son's new car, and it felt really convenient, especially when overtaking by quickly downshifting to accelerate, with the engine roaring like the good old manual transmission days. During daily commutes in traffic, using them makes gear shifts smoother without distracting you from reaching for the gear position. Most automatic cars come with this feature now, from budget family cars priced around 100,000 yuan to luxury vehicles worth millions. It's also a safety plus since your hands stay on the wheel and eyes on the road. But beginners should get familiar first—don't randomly flick them to avoid damaging the transmission.
