joedjr

2015 911 GTS PDK. I have just shy of 5000 miles and was going to try the launch control. So the manual tells me to put it in sport plus, break pedal down , gas pedal down, look for the light launch control activated, release brake and keep it floored.
My question is once the rpm's approach red line will the car automatically shift or do I need to use the paddles. I know this may sound dumb but don't want to mess things up.

Dewinator

In manual you need to shift, auto it does it for you.

CSK 911 C4S

I would definitely let the car shift. Keep both hands on the wheel and go for the ride.

StormRune

NOTE: I'm changing this original answer (If you have the accelerator pushed to the floor past the detente you can feel from the "button" under the pedal (the kick down button), it will shift up for you regardless of mode (or down if needed when in a higher gear).

StormRune

It seems the answer I just posted may be incorrect. I had always shifted before redline so I decided I'd better check. According to the manual section on PDK operation in manual mode:

"Upshift suppression can be cancelled by kickdown operation. If, for example, the engine-speed limit is reached during overtaking and an automatic upshift does not occur, the transmission shifts up in this case as a result of kickdown operation."

So it appears that kickdown only occurs when the car was already moving and automatically downshifted in manual mode when you press the accelerator past the kick down detente. So probably from a standing start, no kickdown has yet occurred so I was probably wrong. I'll be more careful next time!

Dewinator

Hmm interesting. I wonder which way it does it, but don't want to try it to find out!

I just wish there were no kickdown.

Valvefloat991

Don't worry about it and give it a try. The engine's rev limiter will prevent the engine from over-revving in any case. Bouncing off the rev limiter isn't elegant, but it's harmless.

StormRune

This sounds like the best plan. You might feel silly if you bounce on the limiter for a short moment but it won't hurt the engine. Any rev 1 over-rev counts aren't a problem either and even with the PDK you may register a few of those. If I don't hear otherwise here, the next time I have a proper place and time I'll give it a shot and report back.