Current Events > oh, apparently there's this mode that allows me to shift gears manually

(+) Yeah! (+)

but I dont know why Id ever do that
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There was only one situation where I ever used it. If I was trying to pass someone but I needed to let other drivers pass first, I'd shift into a lower gear so the car is ready to go when I'm clear to pass him. I know when people race there's instances where the driver might want to be in a gear before they start to take off again. Obviously, the car can't predict how fast you want to go until you mash the pedal so this option would help in those situations.
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If it's the same as a manual (except for not having to work a clutch), careful control of gears will allow you to save fuel. Or the opposite, you can deliberately stay in lower gears longer to get a more "BRRRRMMMMM"-y sound and accelerate faster, and pretend you're a racecar driver.
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After learning how to drive with a manual, using an automatic is like a dream

You just go into drive and go, it's insane
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My car has paddle shifters, though in 5 years never used them.
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Doe posted...

After learning how to drive with a manual, using an automatic is like a dream

You just go into drive and go, it's insane

No, the insane part is the constant Phantom Clutch Syndrome.

It can be useful to stay in first/second gear to get moving out of a snowbank. Otherwise the car is probably a smarter shifter than you.

But you can deliberately run a lower gear if you want to be very loud while passing someone.
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The backwards roll is nerve-wracking.
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My car has a 'mode' that lets me shift manually. I've never used it more than once. The one time I used it I felt like I was going to break my transmission.
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there are shift paddles on my steering wheel located concerningly close to my volume and track skip buttons and Im always afraid Im gonna blast off when Im just trying to turn down
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