Cadillac XLR Forum banner
1 - 8 of 8 Posts

· Registered
Joined
·
4 Posts
Discussion Starter · #1 ·
Do any other XLR owners wish that the shift lever direction for upshifts and downshifts was reversed? It just seems more natural / logical that a backward click (i.e., toward the driver) would upshift - imagine 1st to 2nd, 3rd to 4th gear shifts on 4 and 5 speed manual transmissions, pulling toward you. Also similar to motorcycle shifts (at least to me), up to upshift, down for lower gears (unless you ride vintage Norton Commandos!) Maybe it's just due to long experience with bikes and British 4 speed sports cars, but pushing forward to upshift feels completely unnatural to me. Is there some way to modify this? Anyone agree?
 

· Registered
Joined
·
1,186 Posts
never gave much thought as to why it didn't feel right, but it defiantly is ass backwards. Now I picture myself mashing on that motorcycle lever to slow it down, etc. You should pull back to "open it up"
 

· Registered
Joined
·
4 Posts
Discussion Starter · #5 ·
If I could change one thing on my XLR, that would be it. Otherwise, love everything about it. Would love to drive it aggressively in manual mode, but feels awkward! Wonder if it can be modified?
 

· Registered
Joined
·
545 Posts
There should be a standard

Our XLR replaced a BMW 330 cabrio. BMW has it right - as you guys suggest. Very intuitive.

My Mercedes is sideways. To downshift you pull toward you knee (of all things).
The XLR seems backwards. I have noticed a marked performance difference when I manual shift, however. It also seems that is some linkage to the Magnetic Ride Control, since I notice the suspension stiffen when shifting. I think it is worth adapting.

To get accustomed to it, I suggest a standing start, keep your hand on the lever, and manually shift throught the drive. That way there's no redline down shifting danger - at least shifting our of first, that is.

The car manufacturers should agree on a standard shift pattern, like on clutched manuals.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
54 Posts
I have also noticed that when I do some agressive driving in manual mode that when I shift back to Auto mode it seems more agressive too.. it seems to "learn" that I want to hold it into a lower gear longer and stuff.. pretty cool. Has anyone else noticed this?
 

· Registered
Joined
·
381 Posts
Former post

Someone posted a note about the "learning" function about 6-8 months ago. Don't know how to find it now.

I believe they said it was a design feature -- it learns how you drive, whether with or without manual shift mode.
 
1 - 8 of 8 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top