Using the steering wheel paddles* to shift

The steering wheel paddles are a supplement to the gear selector and make it possible to shift manually without removing your hands from the steering wheel.

The function is available in position D or M.

P5-1507-gear shift paddels
  1. P5-Icon red circle 1"-": Shift down one gear.
  2. P5-Icon red circle 2"+": Shift up one gear.

Change

To shift:

Pull one of the paddles toward the steering wheel and then release.

As long as the engine speed (rpm) is within the permissible range for the selected gear, a gear shift will take place each time a paddle is pulled. The current gear will be displayed in the instrument panel.

In the M position, the paddles are automatically activated.

P5-1917-Old gear shift pattern in driver display
Instrument panel when the paddles are activated for shifting in manual mode, large gear selector.
P5P6-1917-8G-Manual gear in driver display
Instrument panel when the paddles are activated for shifting in manual mode, small gear selector.

Activating the steering wheel paddles in the D position

To be able to shift gears using the paddles, they must be activated:

Pull one of the paddles toward the steering wheel.
A number in the instrument panel indicates the current gear being used.
P5-1917-Old-Gear shift mode D in driver display
Instrument panel when shifting gears using steering wheel paddles, large gear selector.
P5P6-1917-8G-Gear shifting with paddles, information in driver display
Instrument panel when shifting gears using steering wheel paddles, small gear selector.

Turning off the steering wheel paddles in the D position

Manual deactivation

Pull the right paddle (+) toward the steering wheel and hold it there until the number in the instrument panel goes out.
The transmission will return to the D position.

Automatic deactivation

The steering wheel paddles will switch off after a short time if they are not being used. This is shown by the number in the instrument panel going out. If engine braking is currently being used, the paddles will remain active until engine braking stops.

  1. * Option/accessory.