Is it me... Are are these backwards

[DylanM]

It absolutely translates when you look at the reasoning behind why it "should" be forward for down and rearward for up. Momentum is momentum regardless the application. The only reason we use race cars to explain it is because in race cars the motion and function of it all is exaggerated to better understand why. The pattern PHRD321 is that way out of simplicity because 99% of drivers are only ever moving it to D, so it makes logical sense to place D before 321. But when it comes to manual shifting it doesn't make logical sense to push forward while being pulled back, or vice-versa. Also, those are also not meant to be shifted between in the same sense as a "manual shifter", they are meant for when you need to limit the gear the transmission is allowed to shift up to in applications like mountain driving or towing heavier loads.

I still don't agree with the reasoning. If one must resort to using an extreme example to explain why something applies, then it's safe to say in most cases (especially the one being referenced/argued in the first place) the effects and reasoning aren't sufficiently notable to be applicable or of any real consequence.

One could easily argue that it would have made more logical sense to use the arrangement of PRN123D instead if simplicity was the real driving reason, since it's much simpler to just yank the shifter all the way until it stops to get into normal driving range than it is to have to pay attention to ensure they stop at D and not go past. I'd be much more inclined to believe instead of simplicity the real reason why PRNDL was adopted was to be able if necessary to shift out of drive into neutral while the vehicle is in motion at higher speeds than one could safely do in low without a resulting money shift or loss of control.

Using manual shift mode in the Gladiator has the exact same effect as manually shifting those older transmissions as well, all you're doing is limiting the upper range/gear that the transmission can use.

I can kind of see the comparison. In an aircraft, you pull back to climb, which pushes you back in the seat. You wouldn't want to push forward to climb because its counter-intuitive to push forward while your body is getting pulled backwards. Same goes with shifting, pull back to upshift because it's also counter-intuitive the other way around.

Many people get confused with yoke controls and think they are backwards as well, and by backwards they think you should push forward to climb and pull back to dive, which also makes absolutely zero sense and my mind is blown everytime someone says that.

It's a common misconception that you pull back on the yoke to climb and push forward to go down. Reality is you push forward to pitch the nose down and pull back to pitch the nose up, what that pitching does depends on how much airspeed you have and what you do with the throttle. The notion that pulling back simply equals making the airplane climb has killed many an inexperienced pilot as they keep pulling back until the plane stalls due to insufficient airspeed then they auger into the ground.

Gee whiz info, there actually were a handful of very early aircraft where the pitch controls really were set up so that pushing pitched up and pulling pitched down. Using a momentum-based argument as to why the input directions ended up the way they are makes much better sense with airplanes though since encountered forces can so easily be much, much higher than typically found in cars and trucks.

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[ShadowsPapa]

The only reason we use race cars to explain it is because in race cars the motion and function of it all is exaggerated to better understand why. The pattern PHRD321 is that way out of simplicity because 99% of drivers are only ever moving it to D, so it makes logical sense to place D before 321. But when it comes to manual shifting it doesn't make logical sense to push forward while being pulled back, or vice-versa. Also, those are also not meant to be shifted between in the same sense as a "manual shifter", they are meant for when you need to limit the gear the transmission is allowed to shift up to in applications like mountain driving or towing heavier loads.

And that's ignoring the ratchet shifter I had years ago, or the video I just posted. The race car bit just doesn't hold up with so many doing it FORWARD for upshifting or using a down/up/down/up/down/up pattern.

 

[Stan H]

Why doesn't someone switch the switch . Take the gear selector out and find the manual side of it and flip it

 

[vicsvx]

Another thing that's backwards is bicycle brakes. Front brake should be on the right, dammit! All my bikes have been swapped - so it will be funny as hell if someone steals one and goes to jam on the rear brake.

I belive the rear brake on a is on the right in countries that drive on the right, like merca, so that main brake is right and the left hand is used for hand signals... And in Britain I belive it's opposite

 

[ericw.]

The race car bit just doesn't hold up with so many doing it FORWARD for upshifting or using a down/up/down/up/down/up pattern.

All Audi go up for upshifting... and the RS3 will outrun most cars especially with a few mods.

Can we at least all agree that the LEFT paddle shifter goes DOWN gears and the RIGHT paddle shifter goes UP gears?

 

[vicsvx]

All Audi go up for upshifting... and the RS3 will outrun most cars especially with a few mods.

Can we at least all agree that the LEFT paddle shifter goes DOWN gears and the RIGHT paddle shifter goes UP gears?

Yes, paddle shifter on the left is downshift lol

I find it interesting how we are compaing our boxes on wheels to racecars to justify which way is downshitfing and up shifting

 

[Stan H]

Yes, paddle shifter on the left is downsbift lol

I find it interesting how we are compaing our boxes on wheels to race carsto justify the which way is downshifing and up shifting

I think its something totally different . The lower gears are in the front of the transmission thd high ones are in the rear . So the - & + signs were set to match that . Am I correct ?

 

[vicsvx]

I think its something totally different . The lower gears are in the front of the transmission thd high ones are in the rear . So the - & + signs were set to match that . Am I correct ?

As an end user, I don't really care how the gears are aligned in the case...I just want to push up to upshift and down to downshift lol

 

[Stan H]

As an end user, I don't really car how the gears are aligned in the case...I just want to push up to upshift and down to downshift lol

Lol, yeah , but thats my theory and Im sticking to it ( disclaimer) until told Im wrong

 

[vicsvx]

Lol, yeah , but thats my theory and Im sticking to it ( disclaimer) until told Im wrong

https://media.tenor.com/4Hx8mqF2RV0AAAAM/i-need-more-evidence-colin-jost.gif

 

[Stan H]

 

[Stan H]

I think its something totally different . The lower gears are in the front of the transmission thd high ones are in the rear . So the - & + signs were set to match that . Am I correct ?

@ShadowsPapa I seen ya laughed , how plausible is that ?

 

[ShadowsPapa]

@ShadowsPapa I seen ya laughed , how plausible is that ?

I guess that's why some manual transmissions have reverse in the rear?

Oh, but WAIT - 5th or high gear is in the very BACK of the transmission!

 

[rubicon4wheeler]

Porsche caught universal flak when their early Tiptronic transmissions had the shifter going the wrong direction. It didn't take long for them to correct it, and the world has been happy since.

There's a right way and a wrong way. Jeep does it the right way.

Simple as that.

If you disagree, you're wrong. But it's okay to be wrong. We still love you.

 

[Sweetums]

I guess that's why some manual transmissions have reverse in the rear?

Oh, but WAIT - 5th or high gear is in the very BACK of the transmission!

Huh, someone should tell my old car that Reverse is in the wrong spot.

Edit: Better CC VW on that email - because they made a lot of manuals with reverse next to 1st; like for decades levels of "a lot".

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