Tap up, Tap down function for 4 Speed Auto?

Deep Blue · January 5, 2007

Someone on the GMT800 Forum said they went to the dealership and looked at a GMT 900. He said he thought it had the same ability to tap up or down to the next gear that the new 6 speed will have. Can any of you who already own a GMT 900 verify this? I prefer a manual transmission but I think I could deal with even a 4 speed auto that allowed some gear selection when you wanted it.

Tucson_02Silverado · January 6, 2007

The Cadillac XLR has paddle shift with the 6 speed auto. I'm not sure if GM licensed the now highly refined design from Ferrari or not?

Wouldn't really make any sense in a truck. In a new LS7 SS maybe.

Ultimately for any vehicle on the street, paddle shifters are for gadget show, like a NAV is.

Import Hater · January 6, 2007

As far as I know, only the Escalade version of the GMT900 has the manual shift control. Whether this feature finds its way into other applications of the new 6-speed auto...who knows.

It's definitely not the same technology as the paddle shift in a Ferrari. The Ferrari "F1 shift" is a Sequential Manual Gearbox. Similar in design to real racing transmissions. It's very much like a manual transmission, complete with a clutch. It's just that a computer controls motors and solenoids for gear changes and clutch engagement.

The "manumatic" ability to control gear shifts on an automatic is technology that many luxury type cars use. It's still an an electronically controlled automatic. It just uses the technology that it already has change gears at the demand of the driver...and not at the demand of the computer.

Deep Blue · January 6, 2007

The Cadillac XLR has paddle shift with the 6 speed auto. I'm not sure if GM licensed the now highly refined design from Ferrari or not?

Wouldn't really make any sense in a truck. In a new LS7 SS maybe.

Ultimately for any vehicle on the street, paddle shifters are for gadget show, like a NAV is.

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Why wouldn't the paddles make sense in a truck? They are just a way of changing gears that keeps both hands close to the steering wheel.

HawkeyeOC · January 7, 2007

Someone on the GMT800 Forum said they went to the dealership and looked at a GMT 900. He said he thought it had the same ability to tap up or down to the next gear that the new 6 speed will have. Can any of you who already own a GMT 900 verify this? I prefer a manual transmission but I think I could deal with even a 4 speed auto that allowed some gear selection when you wanted it.

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That feature is only available on the 6 speeds. The only GMT-900 out with that feature is the Yukon Denali and Cadillac Escalade. No 4 speed has or will ever have it to my knowledge. The only button on the 4 speed stalk is the tow/haul mode.

I have a GMT-900 Sierra with a 5.3L 4 speed auto.

Big Tool · January 7, 2007

I was under the impressinon that it was only available on the 6sp in the denali, but apparently gm must have plans of putting the 6sp in the standard trucks also just take a look at this http://www.gmc.com/sierra900/1500/index.jsp No denali, but definitely has the paddle shift. I don't really care about the paddle shift, but i do love the grade braking my dad's 07denali has. Took a trip though the rockies and never had to touch the brakes coming down some serious inclines. very nice feature.

HawkeyeOC · January 7, 2007

I was under the impressinon that it was only available on the 6sp in the denali, but apparently gm must have plans of putting the 6sp in the standard trucks also just take a look at this http://www.gmc.com/sierra900/1500/index.jsp No denali, but definitely has the paddle shift. I don't really care about the paddle shift, but i do love the grade braking my dad's 07denali has. Took a trip though the rockies and never had to touch the brakes coming down some serious inclines. very nice feature.

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The same picture is also in the newly updated 2500/3500 picture section as well as the 1500. I see what you mean. These are pre-production photos. The Yukon section last year had features (rear a/c vents in the center console) pictured that never made production.

I bet they leave the picture there..The 6spds are on their way sometime in the future anyway.

MS3DALE · January 7, 2007

If your talking about all the buttons on the steering wheel theres no "paddle shift" buttons on there,Those are for the cruise control and radio volume/station presets.

GM will be offering a 6-spd auto. trans in all trucks,Like the Denali and Escalade,but like the 6-spd. in them it won't be a "tap-up,tap-down paddle-shift" type.

921500Z71 · January 8, 2007

I believe that feature first came on the D-Max/Allison and Big Block/Allison combos but it was the 6-speed Allison's not the 5. Then the 900's got them but only with 6 speeds. Their is a plus, minus button that is located on the end of the shift lever and to use it you put the lever in to "M" mode (I believe its the same for all the trucks/suvs) and then hit "+" for gear up or "-" for gear down. As far as the 4 speeds go just put the lever into 1, 2, 3, or OD the only reason it isn't on the 6 speeds I think is beause u would have 9 positions on your column and thats just to many apparently

Deep Blue · January 8, 2007

I believe that feature first came on the D-Max/Allison and Big Block/Allison combos but it was the 6-speed Allison's not the 5. Then the 900's got them but only with 6 speeds. Their is a plus, minus button that is located on the end of the shift lever and to use it you put the lever in to "M" mode (I believe its the same for all the trucks/suvs) and then hit "+" for gear up or "-" for gear down. As far as the 4 speeds go just put the lever into 1, 2, 3, or OD the only reason it isn't on the 6 speeds I think is beause u would have 9 positions on your column and thats just to many apparently

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Thanks, I thought I remembered reading in a press release that the 6 speed would have this function.

73shark · January 13, 2007

As far as the 4 speeds go just put the lever into 1, 2, 3, or OD the only reason it isn't on the 6 speeds I think is beause u would have 9 positions on your column and thats just to many apparently

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When you put a 4 spd auto in 2nd, it still starts in low. Haven't driven many "paddle" shifts but the ones that I have would start in 2 if you had it there.

Trouttrooper · January 14, 2007

When you put a 4 spd auto in 2nd, it still starts in low. Haven't driven many "paddle" shifts but the ones that I have would start in 2 if you had it there.

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The 4L80E since 1999 will start out in second gear if you manually put the shifter on 2. I'm assuming the 4L60E would be the same way. I've never had a 1500 pickup.

I've never felt the need to want to force an upshift in my truck. Forced downshift is all I've ever needed for engine braking downhill and that feature has always been there.

Big Tool · January 14, 2007

When you put a 4 spd auto in 2nd, it still starts in low. Haven't driven many "paddle" shifts but the ones that I have would start in 2 if you had it there.

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The 4L80E since 1999 will start out in second gear if you manually put the shifter on 2. I'm assuming the 4L60E would be the same way. I've never had a 1500 pickup.

I've never felt the need to want to force an upshift in my truck. Forced downshift is all I've ever needed for engine braking downhill and that feature has always been there.

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Nope, denali 6sp no matter what gear you have it in is going to shift through the gears till it gets to the selected gear then it won't go any higher. It's nothing lifechanging, and not going to give you the manual transmission edge at racing. may be handy for trailering though. 4th gear in the denali is mean the other two are OD, but 4th will set you way back in the seat.

03blackburb · January 14, 2007

You driving a car or a truck?????? Cars are driven differently that a truck. They also handle differently!

Want to drive like a car, then BUY a car!

Big Tool · January 14, 2007

You driving a car or a truck?????? Cars are driven differently that a truck. They also handle differently!
Want to drive like a car, then BUY a car!

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Believe me it's a big hunk of truck, just don't want any would be buyers thinking it's going to be any thing like driving a standard truck, which usually makes for quicker more spirited driving experience. I wouldn't let it be the reason to choose any vehicle over another, that's all. Like someone else stated it's about equivalent to shifting an auto with the column.