Still learning and playing with temporary manual mode both in and out of sport mode using paddle flippers in automatic. When driving in automatic mode and using the paddle shifters to shift up/down I know the red indicator light (M) will illuminate for a few seconds before automatic kicks back in and only the red indicator light (D) remains lit. I recently noticed that if you use the paddles, while in automatic, to downshift to 1st approaching full stop at a red light that both the M and D lights remain until you start moving again. Is that normal? Why doesn’t automatic return sooner as it does while moving?

 

All sounds normal. The manual over ride lasts for 8 seconds. If staying in manual when stopped bothers you you can pull the gearshift lever left and then right.

 

So technically I’m still in manual, even if i sit at a light for 30 seconds? I have been shifting it left then back, just was concerned about accelerating away from the light thinking it was back in full automatic and taking 1st too far. Thanks

 

I have about 80,000 miles of PDK time between two 997's and can honestly say that I never noticed or paid attention to the lights you're talking about. Probably because I'm only in auto mode (sport) while getting the oil up to temperature. While in auto mode I don't care what those lights say. Just letting it do its thing which seems to be shifting at around 3,000 rpm.

Once warmed up I go to manual/sport plus and the only thing on the dash I care about and use for reference is the tach. I typically stay between 3,500 and 4,500 rpm when driving around town. Keep it simple. Either leave it in auto/sport or go to manual sport or better yet sport plus. That way you don't have to worry about conflicting lights on the dash. Just curious....what's the point in being in auto mode and still shifting manually with the paddles?

 

Thanks for the advice. Like I said I'm just learning and playing with it. I can see how its rare that you would use the paddles while in auto, maybe for a quick downshift to pass someone even though there's plenty of passing power in 7th anyway. I literally hadn't even played with sport+ until this morning, mostly because my engine is a FSI 4.0L Stage II and me and the PDK are still adjusting to its enhanced power band. Normal mode almost feels like sport mode....sport mode almost feels like sport+, I've yet to step on it in sports +.

 

Yeah I can see how the engine enhancement can make a difference but I don't see how it would change the general behavior of the PDK in the different modes. Speaking of and to your point, I actually use the + paddle in auto mode on occasion when warming up after a night in the garage. Seems like the auto mode needs some help now and then shifting out of first gear when cold so I flip the plus paddle but that's about it. And I agree that it can be useful when cruising in auto mode and want some instant passing power above what auto mode delivers.

As for sport plus, manual mode only unless you're on the track since it holds the gears to redline in auto mode. Not practical nor comfortable in city traffic to my senses at least. In manual mode the only difference between sport and sport plus is quicker and crispier shifts in +. That's all. No other difference, at least not that I'm aware of.

 

In sport plus 7th gear is not available, since top speed requires 6th gear max. And yes, for street driving, manual mode only.

When doing day long spirited driving in the mountains I will frequently use auto mode but over ride with the buttons to downshift into corners ahead of where that would otherwise occur. This allows me to select a lower gear than the computer would for throttle controlled balance. Also I use manual over ride for slowing on downhills to reduce brake heating.

How you use the PDK really is up to you. It is extremely flexible.

 

@sandwedge thanks for the advice. Just went for a spirited drive (and some city driving) in manual/sport mode using only the shifter, not the paddles. It was a much improved experience and resolved all shifting issues I was feeling in auto/sport which I'm assuming was related to the more powerful engine and it's low end torque.

 

Good point as far as differences between sport and plus. Forgot about that. Probably because I've only been in 7th. gear once or twice. As i recall it you're down to just above 2,000 rpm even slightly above speed limit on the interstate.

 

You bet. I think we're in a minority here since that's how I drive mine too. Using the shift lever rather than the paddles. Brings it closer to a real manual having your right hand on the lever imo. Most seem to use the paddles. Try sport plus in manual and shift with the shifter. Like I think I said before, only difference between sport and + in manual mode is the quickness of the shifts and like Wayne Smith said, 7th. gear is not available in sport plus. I think you'll like it.

 

A bit to the side of the topic but ...

We were on a group tour through the mountains on Saturday. A lot of fairly spirited driving equating to some fairly high speeds. The PDKs were taking advantage of the 7th gear that the MTs didn't have. Near the end of the day the MTs were on fumes while the PDKs were OK.

A couple days before that, amongst different friends, we were entering high desert where there would be high speeds and no services for a couple hundred miles. It was the MT that needed gas before continuing.

Many times, in the conditions I drive in, 7th can make a difference!!!

Coming from driving almost only MTs I used the lever for a while but after trying the wheel controls (buttons rather than paddles in my case) I found advantages to not removing my right hand from the steering wheel (base of thumb to upshift, ring finger to downshift).

If you haven't discovered this yet, you can hold the button and it will multi shift. I believe the same is true for the lever but I'm not sure. I still prefer to flick the button so I know the exact gear I'm in.

 

Yeah I can see how on a long trip the 7th. gear will get you to the next gas station and leave the MT guys behind. As for using the lever rather than the paddles, other than the reasons already stated I rented a Benz with paddles in Europe a couple of years ago. Benz did a better job with the paddles than Porsche imo. Very short throw....basically just a very short and firm "click" compared to what to me feels like a bit of a borderline sloppy too long throw on the Porsche paddles. Try the Benz paddles if you have the opportunity and I think you'll see what I mean.

I had the buttons on the -09 C4S before changing to the paddle wheel because of all the rage about it but I actually liked the feel of the buttons better than the paddles.

 

Yes on Benz. Pam and I did a European Delivery on her AMG. The paddles on that car are very sweet. Much better than the paddles on a friend's GTS.

But I do love the buttons on my 2010 C4S more than the paddles on the AMG.

I think Porsche folded to the general population with the paddles although they had it right to begin with on the buttons.

Yep, I expect the above to set off some fireworks!!!

 

I don't like the 2-way "buttons". I just can't get used to having both sides do the same thing depending on whether you pull or push. I have downshifted when I meant to upshift 2 or 3 times doing that. At some point I am going to replace the wheel with one that has proper paddles which I am used to. Down on left, up on right.

 

THAT is actually the genius of the [redundant button] design - full redundancy, consistent use no matter how the steering wheel is pointed.