What's Happening to Conventional Gear Shifters?

"GeorgeyBoy" (georgeyboy) 08/18/2014 at 02:37 • Filed to: None

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I don't get it, what was so wrong about them? They turned one of the few reliable and tactile things in a vehicle into another button or knob, next to other buttons and knobs.

What's next, the steering wheel?

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > GeorgeyBoy 08/18/2014 at 02:39

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The rotary one doesn't bother me as much as the buttons. I like actually feeling like I'm shifting even if it is in a vertical direction and not using a third pedal to move it.

EL_ULY > GeorgeyBoy 08/18/2014 at 02:41

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Aston has had them for a couple years. I don't like em

GeorgeyBoy > EL_ULY 08/18/2014 at 02:42

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Trickle down engineering.

Dusty Ventures > GeorgeyBoy 08/18/2014 at 02:44

5

They take up less space and offer a wider selection of where designers can place them in the car. I absolutely hate them though.

ReallyColorful > GeorgeyBoy 08/18/2014 at 02:46

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Moving a stick is so 1896. Get over it!

GeorgeyBoy > Dusty Ventures 08/18/2014 at 02:47

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Some I can see why. The Ram and TLX though, I would say form over function.

All Motor Is Best Motor > GeorgeyBoy 08/18/2014 at 02:49

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The TLX is going shifterless? Ugh, that's a far cry from the beautiful shifter in my CL Type S...

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/13836749/Pic…

And a lovely closeup:

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/13836749/Pic…

Goggles Pizzano > GeorgeyBoy 08/18/2014 at 02:52

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You're absolutely right. I saw nothing wrong with this until just this past week.

I was watching Motorweek test a Lincoln.

They mentioned it was a pain and uncomfortable to park with the system. As soon as I heard it, it clicked. If you had to rooch back and forth, needing to look at the dash before every change of direction, it would become tiring.

That said, I'm sure some are better than others. I don't see the need to look at the Dodge version so much. You'd get to know the system, know what gear you're in, and be able to feel the stops as you turned it.

GhostZ > GeorgeyBoy 08/18/2014 at 02:55

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Buttons are much cheaper to design and manufacture than knobs. It's a cost-cutting maneuver.

The Transporter > GeorgeyBoy 08/18/2014 at 02:55

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What's next, the steering wheel?

Yes.

GeorgeyBoy > Goggles Pizzano 08/18/2014 at 02:57

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Lincoln's attempt is terrible. It's no where near a comfortable spot. Some are better than others. I guess in a few decades we will probably forget the feeling of resting our hand on something solid.

Svend > GeorgeyBoy 08/18/2014 at 03:00

1

My issue is these ruddy things. I don't want a button hand brake and the whole pull and hold while putting your foot on the foot brake, ping ping ping if I drive off with it still on and a dull glowing light on a display somewhere. Give me a lever, a good old fashioned 'is the hand brake on, well the lever is up, so yes it is on. I'll just give this button on the end of the lever a press and push down the lever and the hand brake is now off. Simple

Leave it alone. I want three pedals not two and a rest for my left foot, let my left foot do some work, it's why I have one and bring it with me everywhere I go, a gear shift I operate with my hand not fingers on a steering wheel, buttons I can twist to change station and volume on a radio, a hand brake lever not a button, a full size spare wheel not a can of foam or a space saver (I'll decide if I want to save space, I'm the one paying to lug it about and will have to change the tyre when something happens), no ping ping ruddy ping for when my seatbelt is off (normally something of little weight is on the passenger seat and the car thinks it's someone sitting there and should wear a seat belt, my carrier bag of shopping does not need a seat belt), a door is open or I get out the car with my lights on or hand brake is still on and I don't need flipping cup holders, why do I need these in my car, invariably I will either be leaving somewhere I was able to sit and drink in the comfort of a room be it a house or coffee shop or I will indeed be going to a place that has seats and access to a whole host of beverages both hot and cold.

I want to be part of my car and experience the joy or relief of getting to my destination having played a part in getting there. If I don't want to be involved and sit and push buttons I'd get someone else to drive, say erm, a taxi, that's it a taxi.

Manuél Ferrari > GeorgeyBoy 08/18/2014 at 03:13

2

This is STUPID

Primary car functions should have uniformity from one manufacturer to another.

You shouldn't have to look to see where the button/knob/etc is.

RoadHead -- Armand > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback 08/18/2014 at 03:30

0

Jaguar hand shake is pretty cool

orcim > Manuél Ferrari 08/18/2014 at 03:42

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You mean like the landing gear lever in a cockpit which has the same form pretty much for any retractable landing gear airplane?

A standardized lever.

Manuél Ferrari > orcim 08/18/2014 at 04:11

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I dunno, I know nothing of airplanes!

Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. > GeorgeyBoy 08/18/2014 at 04:54

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http://home.comcast.net/~fzmax/corvair…

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kCwfJQKinGQ/T…

http://www.secondchancegarage.com/public/photoga…

http://image.moparmusclemagazine.com/f/images/12269…

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BLAyRJgxSzU/T…

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yiZY3NdIGVc/U…

E92M3 > GeorgeyBoy 08/18/2014 at 05:53

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I guess it saves SOME room, but it's just more things that can break. The buttons themselves, and the electrical shifter mechanisim on the transmission. I can just imagine it going haywire with age, and shifting into park or reverse while you're driving down the road. Or the actuators failing, and not shifting into D, P, or R. Then add horrible placement some manufacturers like to use, and they'll need to drop the transmission to replace one.

TheRallyStache > Dusty Ventures 08/18/2014 at 07:29

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Drove the new Ram with the "Volume Knob" shifter. I thought it was shite.

shop-teacher > GeorgeyBoy 08/18/2014 at 07:45

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I completely agree about this button nonsense. I'll go one further, I want a column shifter in my pickup trucks. Now THAT is a space saver.

Squid > GeorgeyBoy 08/18/2014 at 08:39

3

To be fair, push buttons were around in the late 50's and 60's. I don't really mind the push buttons to be honest. . . You deserve the least emotion possible if you choose to drive an autotragic.

Also, while yes the shifter mechanism is tactile and makes you feel good, it is not infallible. I have replaced quite a few shifter mechanisms before and a servo can do the job that a big plastic lever with buttons and a cable can do. I just think that kids these days won't get to experience the joys of pulling a neutral drop.

samssun > GeorgeyBoy 08/18/2014 at 08:44

1

I get how the rotary shifter frees up space, but the Acura saves no real estate, just drops the lever but leaves an equally sized patch of buttons. Reminds me of the MacBook Wheel:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9BnLbv…

samssun > The Transporter 08/18/2014 at 08:50

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MacBook Wheel:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9BnLbv…

Jayhawk Jake > GeorgeyBoy 08/18/2014 at 09:02

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This makes so much more sense in an automatic.

Why do you need a giant shift lever to put the car in D and then never touch it again? It takes up far less space.

If you want tactility buy a manual.

Jayhawk Jake > Manuél Ferrari 08/18/2014 at 09:06

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Why?

First of all, if you buy a car it's your car. You'll be in it more than anything else, so just learn it.

I can see the argument that if something went wrong (like a stuck accelerator) and you needed to get to neutral in an unfamiliar car it could be a bit dangerous, but 90% of drivers on the road wouldn't know to put in neutral anyways.

Why does it matter if you have to look to see the gear selector?! You put it in gear, then drive away. It's not something you ever do while moving.

Man, car enthusiast purists are so strange...I understand wanting a manual over an automatic but once you've gone auto the shift lever is a totally irrelevant waste of space.

The Transporter > samssun 08/18/2014 at 09:08

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People will buy anything if its shiny and made by Apple.

GTI MkVII > E92M3 08/18/2014 at 09:52

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To be fair, most modern shifters (automatics) are electronic too.

GeorgeyBoy > Jayhawk Jake 08/18/2014 at 10:42

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Maybe I just feel something important like putting your car in the right gear shouldn't be condensed to buttons. Complete personal preference.

Jayhawk Jake > GeorgeyBoy 08/18/2014 at 10:49

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I don't understand that logic though. Do you drive an automatic?

You get in. You put the car in gear. It tells you on the dash if you are in P, D, R, N, etc. You drive. That's it. That's the only involvement.

If it's a knob, you rotate it to what you want. If it's a button you press the button and wait for it to light up.

There's zero need for it to be a giant lever.

GeorgeyBoy > Jayhawk Jake 08/18/2014 at 11:01

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I do. There's more to it. It's something you get accustomed to for years. You rest your hand on it, it makes you feel in control. I guess it's hard to explain. It's sentimental.

Buttons just make the car feel like more of an appliance.

Jayhawk Jake > GeorgeyBoy 08/18/2014 at 11:11

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I'd rather have an armrest and more open center console than rest my hand on a shifter.

If an automatic shift lever makes you feel more in control, you're crazy. You have control over what direction you're going, that's about it. I have nothing against automatics, but as far as I'm concerned the less intrusive the better. If I could just say 'Drive' instead of having to select a gear, I'd love it.

GeorgeyBoy > Jayhawk Jake 08/18/2014 at 11:16

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It's just putting your car in the right direction, no big deal. Again personal preference.

Jayhawk Jake > GeorgeyBoy 08/18/2014 at 11:22

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Have you ever used the new style?

I get that it's personal preference, but your initial post implied that cars were being ruined by this inferior new technology, which is a pretty silly statement.

GeorgeyBoy > Jayhawk Jake 08/18/2014 at 11:31

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I've only experienced it in the MKZ. My initial post is unchanged and I didn't imply inferior tech, just diminished experience.

If you ever drive the new MKZ you will probably understand. The shift buttons aren't anywhere near a comfortable spot, there is also very little reassurance you are in the right gear. As someone commented on this before, just another step to make sure you are in the right gear as opposed to the tactical click moving a lever.

plainnottoasted > GeorgeyBoy 08/18/2014 at 13:20

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The worst ever.

Okay, second worst ever

Morgan ATX > GeorgeyBoy 08/18/2014 at 13:25

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nothing new under the sun

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4118/4947109…

E92M3 > GTI MkVII 08/18/2014 at 18:03

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That's true. I forget my wifes car shifter is a joystick. I should of bought that extended warranty.