Strange 991.1 PDK shift pattern and other weirdnesses

[aways]

Just wondering if anyone knows a way to reverse the weird manual shifter orientation on the 991.1 PDK ? Reprogramming? So strange that Porsche had upshift pushing forward and downshift pulling back.... what were they thinking?

Also, although it's possible to program just about all settings onto my key, it's strange that the default is for the radio in my 2013 4S to be on every time I start he car. No way to keep it off... it comes alive every time... lol

These kinds of strange counter-intuitive controls sort of remind me of the heating/ventilation system on my 1987 Carrera... whoever designed that system was insane.

[Rodsrsr]

I thought the 991's reversed it? My 09 997S had the orientation as you mentioned, with up shifting forward and downshifting pulling back. Not sure there's a fix for that but you should try to post this in the 996 forum. Most of the knowledge here is on the air cooled cars.

[aways]

Originally Posted by Rodsrsr

I thought the 991's reversed it? My 09 997S had the orientation as you mentioned, with up shifting forward and downshifting pulling back. Not sure there's a fix for that but you should try to post this in the 996 forum. Most of the knowledge here is on the air cooled cars.

The issue was addressed and the orientation reversed on the 991.2 cars beginning in 2016…

[adias]

It's a user interface issue. I have no issue with either pattern but actually consider the original Porsche pattern more sensible (+ forward, - rearward). Also, the redundant shift buttons on the 2009 PDK steering wheel are superior to paddles as there is never a doubt, no matter the steering wheel position, how to upshift or downshift. I have both a 911 with buttons and a car with paddles; the original Porsche push/pull redundant solution is superior. And yes, PDK allows shifting mid-turn without any unsettling.

[rattlsnak]

My 991.1 has the correct shift orientation. (it's a GT3 though). But I know what you mean, I drove a friend's 991.1 911 and I was like, WTF?? That makes ZERO sense to have the shifter pattern backwards like that. Who pulls back to downshift?? Completely idiotic.. Glad they fixed it with the newer models..

[aways]

Originally Posted by rattlsnak

My 991.1 has the correct shift orientation. (it's a GT3 though). But I know what you mean, I drove a friend's 991.1 911 and I was like, WTF?? That makes ZERO sense to have the shifter pattern backwards like that. Who pulls back to downshift?? Completely idiotic.. Glad they fixed it with the newer models..

Yep. The fact that they had the orientation correct on the GT3 makes it even more surprising and strange that they would keep the other models reversed... Why have two opposing orientations for no apparent reason? The cynic in me thinks that they do weird things intentionally to created interest, lore and discussion... And I've fallen into the trap

[adias]

Originally Posted by aways

Yep. The fact that they had the orientation correct on the GT3 makes it even more surprising and strange that they would keep the other models reversed... Why have two opposing orientations for no apparent reason? The cynic in me thinks that they do weird things intentionally to created interest, lore and discussion... And I've fallen into the trap

They did that (+ forward - rearward) to ease the transition from the same pattern long used in tiptronic boxes since the '90s. It did not make a difference to me as I easily adapt to different UIs. I maintain that the steering wheel redundant push/pull shifting buttons are superior to paddles, even though the majority prefers the me-too paddles.

I believe that PDK-equipped 997s with 'reversed' gear levers and redundant push/pull buttons will be sought after in the future.

[rattlsnak]

Yeah, I forgot that the Tip shifters were that way, which makes me wonder why they were backwards but I suppose if you follow the normal logic of an automatic shifter, the lower gears are further back. It was the same with the muscle car dual gate shifters, etc..

I think for the GT cars, people treat them more like a manual trans where the throw is more natural to that of a manual trans which is generally the opposite. 1st to 2nd, 3rd to 4th etc.

Not sure which push/pull steering wheel buttons you're talking about though. Do you mean the +/- thumb buttons on the 3 and 9 oclock position on the steering wheel that were on the earlier cars? I know the later Tip cars had paddle shifters, but either way the paddles on the PDK are perfect!!

[fanaudical]

Tiptronic (and other "manual shift" automatics) have been forward to upshift, back to downshift on multiple vehicles (Audi, VW, Volvo, Japanese stuff) for a long time. I haven't been in a newer Porsche with PDK yet. The only cars I've seen with forward to downshift and back to upshift are BMW.

[rattlsnak]

All the PDK Porsche GT cars are forward to downshift..

[adias]

Originally Posted by rattlsnak

Not sure which push/pull steering wheel buttons you're talking about though. Do you mean the +/- thumb buttons on the 3 and 9 oclock position on the steering wheel that were on the earlier cars? I know the later Tip cars had paddle shifters, but either way the paddles on the PDK are perfect!!

Yes the thumb buttons (push/pull). You push either the left or the right button to upshift and pull either one to downshift. No matter where the steering wheel is pulling one button will downshift. It just works!

[rattlsnak]

Hmmmm. Don't they have a + on the top half of the switch and a - on the bottom have? Not sure what you mean by push and pull? I just assumed you push the top half to shift up and push the bottom half of the rocker switch to shift down?

[rattlsnak]

(and not trying to hassle you, just trying to learn..)

[aways]

Just discovered that there is a company in the fatherland (Startseite - A&A Automobiltechnik - EDC17, Allradprüfstand, DSG, Porsche, Chiptuning) that will for ~$500 reprogram the control unit to reverse the shift orientation to “back to upshift” and “forward to downshift”, the way God intended…

[adias]

Originally Posted by rattlsnak

Hmmmm. Don't they have a + on the top half of the switch and a - on the bottom have? Not sure what you mean by push and pull? I just assumed you push the top half to shift up and push the bottom half of the rocker switch to shift down?

Those were the old tiptronic rocker buttons. The PDK push/pull buttons are different. Push on the front of the button to upshift, pull behind the button to downshift.

[gremlin]

The Cobb access port PDK program will also reverse the shifting, so it's the same as most touring cars and rally cars, and shifter karts, and GT cars....

Even when the tip-tronic was like this it always felt backwards to me, but I've encountered a handful of people who felt this was the correct way too, so there must be something about it that registers with some folks.

[rattlsnak]

Originally Posted by adias

Those were the old tiptronic rocker buttons. The PDK push/pull buttons are different. Push on the front of the button to upshift, pull behind the button to downshift.

Ahhh, i thought you were talking about Tip shift buttons the whole time. You're talking about PDK shift button without the paddles.. Got it! lol..