GM Begins To Move Away From Conventional Gear Shift Levers

truckofwinandawesome · July 10, 2017

I'm pretty sure that these column shifters are NOT mechanical. They are electronic just like the dial shifters, just a different delivery system.

Does anyone know for sure??

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Just peeked under our '09, and I'm pretty sure that is a mechanical linkage sticking out!

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Loco-diablo · July 11, 2017

Just peeked under our '09, and I'm pretty sure that is a mechanical linkage sticking out!

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That's 09 though. I'm wondering what they're using today on the 17 models.

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MikeNH · July 11, 2017

How many of you that are bashing the rotary knob on the Ram's have actually driven one? Father-in-Law has an eco-diesel that I have driven a number of times, it's not nearly as bad of some of you would make it seem.

I've driven many rental Rams and it was fine for me. I've never blindly shifted even with a conventional shifter so looking at the dial or the dash is nothing new to me.

Now on the Chrysler 200, that's another story. It's right on the dash close to other knobs. I could see that being problematic.

j-ten-ner · July 11, 2017

How many of you that are bashing the rotary knob on the Ram's have actually driven one? Father-in-Law has an eco-diesel that I have driven a number of times, it's not nearly as bad of some of you would make it seem.

I have to admit that I haven't driven one. But I don't need too, to see that there's no gain in functionality.

It's just another gimmick.

Like a fidget spinner.

so long

j-ten-ner

Loco-diablo · July 11, 2017

I test drove a new RAM before buying the Chevy.. the rotary shifter was a bit odd, but I'm sure anyone would get use to it..

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dasimmon · July 11, 2017

i have driven one and hated it.

mookdoc6 · July 11, 2017

I test drove a new RAM before buying the Chevy.. the rotary shifter was a bit odd, but I'm sure anyone would get use to it..

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Really! The only person getting used to it somebody who only puts the knob in R out of their driveway? Life long Chevy truck owner I work with bought the Ram because of "Cash on Hood" and I ask him about the Rotary knob? He said, "I will never get used that stupid thing" to make it worse he told me, "the idiot that was allowed to put it on vehicle also made the "knob" the exact same size as another "knob"

Like I said, "I might have a Taco in my lap, a large Coffee in one hand and porn going on my phone while doing a 30PT turn with 6qty idiots outside the truck telling me what and how to do it? **** you Fiat and your "Knob Wheel" I need a Column to drive a truck!

becker87 · July 12, 2017

I have to admit that I haven't driven one. But I don't need too, to see that there's no gain in functionality.

It's just another gimmick.

Like a fidget spinner.

so long

j-ten-ner

What are your thoughts then on touch screens in vehicles? One could also argue there is no gain in functionality with those either. Not going to lie, I'm not a huge fan of the knobs either, I'm just glad that I have the option to chose.

revrnd · July 12, 2017

Just a quick reminder for those who're opposed to the column shifter...

least manly.jpg

so long

j-ten-ner

Spent time behind the wheel of a friend's Dodge pickup. They can keep their rotary knob for a 'shifter' & push button start.

revrnd · July 12, 2017

A rotary knob or a button is pure BS, WHAT THE HELL IS NEXT? A joy stick as a steering wheel? Hell they might as well take that to and give use a xbox game controller.

Its something else that can fail I can see it now, damn my truck wont shift out of drive and stuck in reverse, now its stuck in low, the light on the knob is out so lets guess what GEAR its in, some things need to remain mechanical.

Why does auto manufactures always think this is what we need?

Marketing, because their vehicles are nothing special. Look @ how most advertising is about features that really aren't needed to actually get from point A to point B.

revrnd · July 12, 2017

How many of you that are bashing the rotary knob on the Ram's have actually driven one? Father-in-Law has an eco-diesel that I have driven a number of times, it's not nearly as bad of some of you would make it seem.

I spent the better part of 2 days driving 1 & not impressed.

j-ten-ner · July 12, 2017

What are your thoughts then on touch screens in vehicles? One could also argue there is no gain in functionality with those either. Not going to lie, I'm not a huge fan of the knobs either, I'm just glad that I have the option to chose.

I think that a touch screen is an enhancement of the functionality compared to the ordinary radio in my truck.

You can switch between screens for the radio, GPS, back-up camera and more.

To be able to do that without touch screen would require a thousand buttons. Or ten buttons with ten different functions for each button.

But, my buddy with his F350 answered a phone call with a touch on the screen. I'll have to look at his truck again and see whether he can also answer the phone with a button on the steering wheel, like in my truck.

If not, than it is a step back in my opinion, because he has to take his hand off the wheel.

At the end, important for me is that all this fancy stuff doesn't effect the reliability of my truck.

Auto dimming mirror doesn't work - I'll still make it home.

Adjustable pedals don't work - I'll still make it home.

Radio, touch screen, power windows, air condition, remote start, Bluetooth, power seats, you name it, stops working -

I'll still make it home....and get the trailer between the garage and the barn.

so long

j-ten-ner

becker87 · July 13, 2017

I think that a touch screen is an enhancement of the functionality compared to the ordinary radio in my truck.

You can switch between screens for the radio, GPS, back-up camera and more.

To be able to do that without touch screen would require a thousand buttons. Or ten buttons with ten different functions for each button.

But, my buddy with his F350 answered a phone call with a touch on the screen. I'll have to look at his truck again and see whether he can also answer the phone with a button on the steering wheel, like in my truck.

If not, than it is a step back in my opinion, because he has to take his hand off the wheel.

At the end, important for me is that all this fancy stuff doesn't effect the reliability of my truck.

Auto dimming mirror doesn't work - I'll still make it home.

Adjustable pedals don't work - I'll still make it home.

Radio, touch screen, power windows, air condition, remote start, Bluetooth, power seats, you name it, stops working -

I'll still make it home....and get the trailer between the garage and the barn.

so long

j-ten-ner

Valid points, just playing devils advocate here

The Zip · July 13, 2017

.. all this fancy stuff doesn't effect the reliability of my truck.

Auto dimming mirror doesn't work - I'll still make it home.

Adjustable pedals don't work - I'll still make it home.

Radio, touch screen, power windows, air condition, remote start, Bluetooth, power seats, you name it, ...

Yeah I agree, doesn't affect the reliability of my truck. But having them in my truck sure makes getting home enjoyable.