Mitchell_B

I’ve gotten accustomed to manual shifting and now, most of the time, prefer it to automatic mode. It gives a similar experience to driving with a manual trans, only you never use a clutch and the shifts are faster. In many instances, during moderate acceleration, I shift earlier than auto mode would. I wonder if the trans ECU is using any of my manual shifting data for adaptive learning for use in auto mode……

what do you prefer?

johnodrake

While I do enjoy manual mode shifting, I mostly let the computer do it.

dmitrysgarage

Computer is generally better performance wise, except maybe in some situations in back to back twisties, but it's sure fun to shift yourself. I do it all the time if I'm going around surface streets, gotta love the down shifts .

Vetteman Jack

Don't have a C8, but in my C7 A6, I tend to use manual setting and use the paddle shifters most of the time.

4thC4at60

If I get the urge to row gears I back the Ferrari out of the garage.... Ferrari needs a new home... I prefer the DCT and liberal use of the paddles....

cariboocreek

Manual shifting also keeps the V4 from kicking in…

Korbek

This is why I drive exclusively in manual mode. I dont want to drive in Z mode power set to track so the car holds gears super long, but I also dont want to drive in V4 mode.

i bought a V8. I want all 8 cylinders firing, ALL the time. And folks ready to talk about how perfect the car changes, save your "the change is imperceptible" arguments, I've heard them all. I dont care how imperceptible the change is. I dont want it to happen. I dont care about fuel economy either.

If I could drive in other modes with V4 shut off I would, but its either super aggressive shifts in Z mode where the car revs the engine a lot higher, or manual. So I drive in manual (specifically MY mode, power set to track, magride set to middle stiffness, and manual mode engaged).

Sometimes I hold shifts longer, sometimes I shift more conservatively (similar to tour mode), but no matter how I decide to shift all cylinders are firing.

449er

I wouldn't say that using the paddle shifters give you a similar experience as a manual would, but it does give you more interaction with the car

INTIMIDAT3R

Paddle shifters, to me, are a novelty.

I've used them only a couple times in my Camaro's, Chargers, Challenger, and C7. I probably use them once or twice in my C8.

I drove a big rig for years so I'm over the "shifting thing".

I prefer to put it in D and mash it to the floor.

Chemdawg99

Same here. I live in suburbia and often have to go into the city and manually shifting is not really that practical (read: enjoyable) in those situations. I do use the paddles when it is convenient and fun to do so.

WardNH

This is the first time since I got my license (36 years ago) that I have not owned a manual car. I don't like the paddles, and don't think they give anywhere near the feedback or experience of driving a manual. I never use them.

I love the C8, but if they suddenly decided to offer a manual I would be trading for one as soon as possible.

Chemdawg99

Not going to happen, unfortunately. Virtually every new supercar and hypercar, from the C8 to the Bugatti uses some version of an automatic DCT or SCT. The C8's architecture doesn't even allow for a manual transmission. Just a reality that traditional manual transmissions in production cars are all but obsolete.

skrupski

I use manual mode only once in a while. What I dont like is that the DCT doxwnshifts automatically when I dip below a set MPH. If in manual mode I can determine if the downshift is needed. Can be iritating when driveing close to the set MPH numbers and I have to momentarily slow due to someone near the road or other issue. No downshift needed but it thinks so. Not Manual mode....

WardNH

I am well aware of all of that. It was a hypothetical situation to demonstrate a point...

Carnut1

I have owned every type of flappy paddle shifter (first being an F1 almost 25 years ago) from the Maserati Cambiacorsa to the C8. I usually wait for the car to warm up and hit the manual button (depending on the car not always a button) and I don’t consider auto boxes with shifters in that list. I agree that no matter how good the DCT is it will never replace a pure manual which is why I keep at least a couple of those but I tend to be a bit picky about which manuals I own. The Evora 400 has a great manual transmission a Ferrari a terrible one (I have a 30 year history with the brand and own many manuals) also cars like the Miata, the civic r and he BRZ have exceptional manuals and while those cars are not exactly fast I find them to be really great cars if you truly like engaging with the car. Unlike the early F1, Egear, and SMG transmissions the modern DCT can be driven in auto without being bucked around like you are riding a bull which is probably the way 90% of owners use them.

hawk02

I’ve been shifting with the paddles a lot more lately. But…and that’s a big BUT, it still isn’t the same as having a third peddle. I find the 1st to 2nd gear shift is pretty harsh if I do it above 10 mph. In fact, winding out in any gear gives a rough shift to the next gear. And why in any mode other than track does the computer put the car in 5th gear at 33 mph?

When it comes down to it, my biggest disappointment in the C8 has been the DCT. I absolutely love the TR6060 in my ZL1. Even the torque converter 8 speed in my GMC pickup is less objectionable. Drive a Porsche with their PDK and you’ll find the Tremec DCT in the Corvette isn’t even close.

Andybump

I don't use manual shifting very much at all. I have several manual shift cars so I'm not manual averse. But for the C8 I don't use it. I do not think that the ECU learns your shifting pattern over time and makes adjustments based on that. There is something called "Driver Influenced Gear Selection" which will temporarily change the automatic gear selection if the car detects aggressive driving (in any drive mode). You can read about it in the owners manual. When that mode is active, you even get a light on the dash that indicates "Performance Transmission Active". But it is temporary, not a long term learning process. I have found nothing in the manual or the Service Manual about any long term learning of driver habits.

OKCorvette

Love my 6 speed Camaro. I do both Manual and auto shifting just depending on where and how I want to drive.

Carnut1

There is a trick to DCT shifting (every car is a bit different), and the C8 seems to work best in lower gears with a bit of feathering of the throttle. I sold my 991.2 Targa 4S recently and while the PDK does work a bit better than the C8 in sport plus it will engage with a similar way if you do not get the throttle input correct. There is more to shifting these DCT cars than pulling the paddles, I suggest experimenting with the way you apply the throttle while shifting it might make for a more enjoyable experience. I have owned at least 100 cars with these systems, they all have some issues, not matter what brand they are. I find shifting from 1st gear in the C8 works best if you pull back on the throttle right before you shift. If I try that in the AMG GTS it will not have a smooth transition, both DCT's but very different in the way the DCT works best.

Chemdawg99

Understood.