Have you been driving down a steep hill or through a canyon and worried about burning up your brakes? Or gotten to the bottom and smelled that strong odor after using the brakes too much? Paddle shifters are a great modern addition to automatic transmissions to help drivers avoid excessive wear on the brakes and brake pads. Whether you are navigating winding roads or towing a trailer, paddle shifters can make for an enhanced driving experience. 

What Are Paddle Shifters?

Paddle shifters help control the transmission to utilize engine braking in order to slow down, without applying the stopping force of the brakes. Paddle shifters are a way to limit strain on the vehicle on long descents and allow the driver to have better control of the vehicle. These shifters are essentially a manual way to shift down into lower gears and slow the work of the engine, similar to a manual transmission. 

When Should Paddle Shifters Be Used

In situations where gravity is pulling on your vehicle and causing it to accelerate rapidly, drivers typically want to ride the brakes. However, these are great situations to use paddle shifters to downshift to a lower speed. Let’s look at how paddle shifters can save your brakes in the following situations.

Towing

When you are pulling a heavy trailer or load, this added weight can speed up your vehicle and cause the vehicle to feel more out of control. Going downhill or through a winding landscape, paddle shifters can help those with loads to go their desired speed. Instead of riding the brakes and creating unnecessary heat and damage, you can use the paddles to downshift to slow the load and merge onto a highway or climb a hill. 

Steep Declines

Going downhill in a car can cause you to accelerate beyond how much of gas you are applying to the engine. Steep declines are a great situation where paddle shifters help you remain at the speed limit and resist laying on the brakes for the entire decline. Instead of braking down the hill, causing brake damage or failure, and annoying the drivers behind you, use your paddle shifters. 

Slippery Or Wet Conditions

After a heavy snowstorm, rainfall, or mudslides, downshifting can be necessary. Relying solely on your brakes during these weather conditions can be risky, especially if you try to stop abruptly. Using higher gears to keep RPMs lower will help the vehicle keep consistent traction. 

The Benefits Of Paddle Shifters For Your Brakes

When used appropriately, paddle shifters can provide multiple benefits for your transmission, brakes, and overall vehicle performance. Let’s look at some of the biggest benefits of utilizing your car’s paddle shifters.

• Extend the life of your brakes and brake pads: Instead of constantly slamming on your brakes or riding them down a steep hill will save the brake pads from wearing down. Once your brakes and brake pads wear down, they need to be replaced to avoid crashes or brake failure. 
• Better control in corners: Using paddles to downshift can help the engine maintain the speed, without revving. Your RPMs can remain lower on descents when you use engine braking, making the engine and car run smoothly.
• Keep your hands on the wheel: Instead of changing gears with a gear shift like a manual transmission, paddles allow the driver to keep their hands on the wheel. This helps you maintain better vehicle control, improve safety, and keep your eyes on the road to avoid obstacles or accidents.
• Safety features to keep you from shifting too low: Some drivers may shift too low when driving a manual car, but paddle shifts still have the computer safety features that prevent this. You won’t be able to shift into a gear that is too low for your speed, saving the engine from damage.

Services From Layton Carcare

Layton Carcare takes pride in the quality of our work and the benefits we can provide for vehicle owners. We work quickly and utilize the most modern parts in the market to ensure you remain safe on the road. We believe that excellence matters, no matter what kind of service you need. Layton Carcare has the experience and expertise to serve a variety of makes and models, keeping them running smoothly for many years.

We specialize in autobody repairs, mechanical repairs, engine repairs, oil changes, and custom accessories. We are the top autobody shop in Layton, UT, and want all vehicles to remain operable for as long as possible. Reach out to us or come into our shop to see how we can improve your vehicle today!