Shifting Gears & Ergonomics
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 912
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From: Mid Atlantic
Shifting Gears & Ergonomics
This is quite a trivial question but I am curious. When shifting in the 997, how do you hold the gear shifter?
1. Do you hold it with the very top of the shifter in your palm, with your fingertips facing down, as you cycle through all the gears; or
2. Do you hold it with the right side of the shifter in your palm, with your thumb on top, such that when you pull the shifter down you are using all your fingers (except your thumb) to pull the shaft of the shifter downward, and when you push the shifter upward you use the bottom of your palm closer to your wrist?
I tend to use option 2, because ergonomically I feel like my arm is more at rest and in a straight ergonomic line, allowing for smoother and quicker shifts, plus I like the sexy feel in my fingers of the lower smoother part of the shifter (I know, I know....no smart-**** comments, please!!!), which I understand from the book "997 - Enduring Values" was specifically designed for this driver-feedback ergonomic feel.
Like I said, this is trivial but I bet you'll think about it after you read this post the next time you get in the car and drive!
1. Do you hold it with the very top of the shifter in your palm, with your fingertips facing down, as you cycle through all the gears; or
2. Do you hold it with the right side of the shifter in your palm, with your thumb on top, such that when you pull the shifter down you are using all your fingers (except your thumb) to pull the shaft of the shifter downward, and when you push the shifter upward you use the bottom of your palm closer to your wrist?
I tend to use option 2, because ergonomically I feel like my arm is more at rest and in a straight ergonomic line, allowing for smoother and quicker shifts, plus I like the sexy feel in my fingers of the lower smoother part of the shifter (I know, I know....no smart-**** comments, please!!!), which I understand from the book "997 - Enduring Values" was specifically designed for this driver-feedback ergonomic feel.
Like I said, this is trivial but I bet you'll think about it after you read this post the next time you get in the car and drive!
Race Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,607
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Originally Posted by MJones
I just use my fingertips (pointing down).
No force required, shifts like butter, no griping required
No force required, shifts like butter, no griping required
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,314
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From: NYC / FL
For 1-2, 3-4 and 5-6, I hold it like an Italian chef holds his hand when he kisses his fingertips to emphasize the tastiness of a dish - four fingertips drawn together on the front side of the ****, thumb on the rear. Che bella! Or something. Maybe the analogy doesn't work.
For 2-3 and 4-5, I use the flattened palm of my hand to push the shifter up.
But I have also been told that I "attack" the shifter with my hands, while "somehow not causing any damage." So go figure.
For 2-3 and 4-5, I use the flattened palm of my hand to push the shifter up.
But I have also been told that I "attack" the shifter with my hands, while "somehow not causing any damage." So go figure.
Banned
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 15,022
Likes: 13
From: Back in the OC
I'm kinda like nkhalidi above, except for the bad Italian chef analogy. 
On the 2-3 and 4-5 shifts I rotate my wrist down slightly and push with my palm as my fingers slide over the ball. On the 1-2, 3-4 and 5-6 shifts I rotate my wrist up and pull the **** back, my middle finger fitting comfortably in the smooth groove on the back of the shifter, providing a very sensuous, satisfying tactile feel.
On the 2-3 and 4-5 shifts I rotate my wrist down slightly and push with my palm as my fingers slide over the ball. On the 1-2, 3-4 and 5-6 shifts I rotate my wrist up and pull the **** back, my middle finger fitting comfortably in the smooth groove on the back of the shifter, providing a very sensuous, satisfying tactile feel.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 912
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From: Mid Atlantic
Originally Posted by OCBen
...my middle finger fitting comfortably in the smooth groove on the back of the shifter, providing a very sensuous, satisfying tactile feel.
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Banned
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 15,022
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From: Back in the OC
Oh yeah, it's quite obvious that the smooth groove on the back of the shifter was designed specifically for the middle finger.
I made this observation when I reported my first impressions driving my baby home from the dealership, noting how nice it was that the shifter was ergonomically designed so that your middle finger rests comfortably inside this groove. And not only while your finger is extended, but also as you curl your middle finger in do you realize that the groove curves up in a smooth tangential arc that follows the sweep of your finger as you slide it up and in for a very sensuous feel.
I made this observation when I reported my first impressions driving my baby home from the dealership, noting how nice it was that the shifter was ergonomically designed so that your middle finger rests comfortably inside this groove. And not only while your finger is extended, but also as you curl your middle finger in do you realize that the groove curves up in a smooth tangential arc that follows the sweep of your finger as you slide it up and in for a very sensuous feel.
Banned
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Back in the OC
Uhm, if you're talking about my description, it was done without analogy. Unless you're talking about nkhalidi's analogy of the Italian chef. ... Or, maybe it's the martini talking, or whatever it is you rich lawyers drink.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 912
Likes: 2
From: Mid Atlantic
Originally Posted by OCBen
Uhm, if you're talking about my description, it was done without analogy. Unless you're talking about nkhalidi's analogy of the Italian chef. ... Or, maybe it's the martini talking, or whatever it is you rich lawyers drink.
lol !!