I don’t understand how the paddles behind the steering wheel work. As far as I can tell they are useless in MI. Can somebody explain to me in plain english how they are supposed to work and what is the benefit of having them.
You never have to use them if you don’t want to. They are there for a more spirited driving. You are basically doing the shifting of the transmission instead of the transmission shifting for you. below is a link that will better explain it.
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On my car, right paddle shifts up, left paddle shifts down.
Usefulness depends on how you drive and driving conditions.
Not too many mountains in MI, downshifting before descending on a mountain road really helps.
There really is no difference in the concept of paddles vs floor shift lever, just with 8 speed or more transmission, floor shift lever is not practical for manually selecting gears, plus your hands remain on the steering wheel.
Crv has cvt trans. It does not have gears.
Many dealers have classes that a new vehicle buyer can attend to answer questions .
With your CVT the paddles change the ratio in the transmission to simulate shifting gears. Only time I might use them is to ‘downshift’ on a long downhill to keep from using the brakes. I bet 90% of paddle shifters are never used.
What does your owners manual say?
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After reading well over 1000 pages in my owner manual(s), I had to watch a few videos and join a forum to find out how some of the stuff works… These owners manuals seem to be written by lawyers and not very easy to read/follow… Plus you sometimes have to keep jumping around…
The shifter “S” mode in my truck has nothing to do with sport mode for example… Just saying, they can be a little confusing to the average person…
Don’t get me started on the traction control off button… lol
Page 454 of the owners manual is where it’s explained.
Deceleration Paddle Selector
When you release the accelerator pedal, you can control the rate of deceleration
without removing your hands from the steering wheel. Using the deceleration
paddle selector situated on the steering wheel, you can sequentially shift through
four stages of deceleration.
When descending a hill, you can use the deceleration paddle selector to help
maintain the rate of deceleration, thereby allowing you to keep a safe distance
between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead
■When the shift position is in (D
If you pull back the paddle selector, the rate of deceleration will increase
temporarily, and the stage will appear on the gauge.
The deceleration paddle selector will cancel automatically and the deceleration
paddle selector indicator on the gauge will disappear when you drive at a constant
speed or slow to a near stop.
■When the shift position is in (D and drive mode is SPORT
If you choose SPORT mode, the rate of deceleration will increase and the stage
along with M will appear.
When you want to cancel the deceleration paddle selector, change out of SPORT
mode. When canceled, the deceleration paddle selector indicator on the gauge
disappears.
■When the shift position is in
If you change the shift position to
stage along with M will appear.
B
B
, the rate of deceleration will increase and the
When you want to cancel the deceleration paddle selector, change the shift position
to (D and change out of SPORT mode. When canceled, the deceleration paddle
selector indicator on the gauge disappears
■When the shift position is in (D
If you pull back the paddle selector, the rate of deceleration will increase
temporarily, and the stage will appear on the gauge.
The deceleration paddle selector will cancel automatically and the deceleration
paddle selector indicator on the gauge will disappear when you drive at a constant
speed or slow to a near stop.
■When the shift position is in (D and drive mode is SPORT
If you choose SPORT mode, the rate of deceleration will increase and the stage
along with M will appear.
When you want to cancel the deceleration paddle selector, change out of SPORT
mode. When canceled, the deceleration paddle selector indicator on the gauge
disappears.
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+1
That is the only time that I use them.
For those curious about the CR-V hybrid, it uses an entirely different transmission system than the CVT used on the non-hybrid, also different from that used by Toyota hybrids. No transmission (CVT or otherwise) involved, it’s all done through manipulation of the electric motor, the generator, the gas motor, including using it to power the generator when needed and a direct drive connection with the gas motor when cruising at highway speeds. This is for the hybrid Accord, but the CR-V hybrid is supposed to use the same system:
