I'm a valet at a very nice hotel and because of the quality of the hotel we attract many rich people driving expensive cars. My question applies to the paddle shifting style on many high end cars. I've always wondered if when you shift, you are supposed to let off the gas as if you were shifting a standard manual transmission. I usually don't let off the gas, just flip the paddle, but the other day I was driving a Mazerati and it seemed to rev a little in between gears when I shifted from 1st to 2nd so now I'm confused. Last night I drove a loud 360 Spider with the owner right on the driveway, so I let off the gas when I shifted but that didn't seem right either. Just wondering if you can just shift or if you are supposed to let of the gas, or is it different for different cars?
As you are obviously aware, high end cars are sometimes available with what are called "automanual" transmissions, which are manual transmissions on which the clutch and shifter are actuated by hydraulics or solonoids. Gears can be up- or down-shifted using the steering wheel- (or column-) mounted shift paddles, or they can be left in "drive" when you are otherwise occupied.
Some versions can be shifted using the shift lever. My recollection of the Maserati I experienced was that you didn't have the option. (They now offer a manumatic -- automatic transmissions whose gears can be up- or down-shifted with the paddles -- These are steadily improving.)
Automanuals are completely controlled (throttle modulation, clutch slipping, shift immediacy) by the computer, and your input is simply the position of the throttle pedal. You can keep the revs down by short-shifting (shifting up early).
The anomalies you note may be the result of the shift program being left in an inappropriate mode, since these are selectable on most systems. There is also the possibility that the computer is "remembering" the behavior of the last driver and assuming you want to drive the same way.
One thing to remember with automanuals is that they do still have a clutch. That means that when you are standing still with the transmission in gear, the throw-out bearing is pressing on the clutch fingers, keeping the clutch disengaged, and that is hard on both. So if you have to stand waiting for traffic to move, or for a long traffic light, put it in neutral.
Added Note: Since I posted the above, I noticed that while accelerating, if I try to let up on the throttle just before the shift with my SMG, the engine will rev annoyingly between shifts.
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