by stefan einz » Sat Feb 23, 2008 2:52 pm
Yes, using the paddles is the only way to go. The Auto function, as you'll have experienced, changes gears very poorly. Because you, the driver, don't know when it is going to change, it is not really possible to lift off the gas to help it change more smoothly, so it is usually a case of "nodding dogs".
The system also has, as you'll have seen, a button to change the shift speed. I tended to find in my CSL that the best option was one in the middle. Too slow, and the whole thing just got ponderous. Too fast and it feels like the diff is being ripped out of its mountings!
With the middle setting, the trick for upchanges is to pull the paddle, and at the same time give a little lift of the gas, and then as the clutch re-engages, press back on the gas. It does not take long to master the timing, and the shift quality will improve a lot (over the auto mode). However, sadly, I always found that occasionally the box would do something inconsistent, which is why I grew to hate it. It was never as good as a good driver with a conventional manual box (whereas the Lambo was bloody close, if not better because the changes were also so fast).
For downchanges, the software is usually pretty good - no need to change throttle position, it should match revs fairly well.
By the way, did you run in 400 bhp "fast" mode or 500 bhp "warp drive" mode?
Kind regards
Steve