Fords with Paddle Shifters Near Scottsdale, AZ

 

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Ford Vehicles with Paddle Shifters

Ford has been a leader and innovator, from the first Model T all the way to the current lineup of vehicles like the Mustang and best-selling F-150. That tradition continues today with the Blue Oval, which offers one of the most extensive lineups of gasoline, hybrid, and even all-electric SUVs on the market. From cruising to a Diamondbacks game to taking a road trip out to Lake Havasu, Ford has the vehicles you want to drive. 

Like the Model T, Ford delivers value and technology that drivers want, such as BlueCruise hands-free driving, SYNC 4, and performance technology like paddle shifters. 

What Is the Purpose of Paddle Shifters?

Paddle shifters offer the fun of a stick shift, without the hassle of a clutch pedal. 

The paddle shifter has its origins in Formula 1 racing, making its debut in the late 1980s. It was a simple design with two steering-wheel-mounted, carbon fiber paddles that enabled a driver to upshift and downshift without removing their hands from the steering wheel, as would be necessary with a manual transmission. While it may not seem like a big deal to most of us, fractions of a second in motorsports can be the difference between first and second place.

Even though most of us will not be lucky enough to drive an F1 race car, we can experience what paddle shifting is like in the Ford Edge ST-Line and Mustang. These vehicles deliver the excitement of a manual without the hassle of constantly changing gears when driving in Scottsdale and Phoenix traffic. 

When Did Ford First Use Paddle Shifters?

The very first road car with paddle shifters was the 1995 Ferrari F355 F1 Berlinetta. Since then, automakers from BMW and Volkswagen to Hyundai and Toyota have been installing paddle shifters throughout their lineups. 

Paddle shifters began to appear in Ford vehicles in 2013 starting with the Focus. Over the years, it was added to the Edge, Escape, Explorer, and Mustang.  

Are Cars with Paddle Shifters Automatic or Manual?

A vehicle equipped with paddle shifters is, for all practical intents and purposes, an automatic. In fact, it can be thought of as adding a manual mode to a standard automatic gearbox as the transmission will shift normally in automatic mode when they are not being used. 

While dual-clutch transmissions usually have paddle shifters, they are best regarded as an automated manual. You'll find dual-clutch transmissions in some sports cars like the Shelby GT500, Nissan GTR, and Kia Forte GT.

What Is the Difference Between Manual and Automatic Cars?

Let's start off with some basics. 

The vast majority of new cars today are equipped with an automatic transmission, and as the name implies, gear changes are done without input from the driver. In short, the shifting is done using a torque converter and hydraulic fluid which creates the coupling that forces the transmission into the next gear. Driver input is needed to move the shift lever between park, reverse, neutral, and drive. Other common automatic transmission types include the CVT transmission, which offers infinite ratios, automatically. 

On many newer vehicles, the selector has been replaced with a button, knob, or stalk, although changing between P, R, N, and D is still required. In addition, some vehicles may have an "L" (1st) or "2" (2nd), which can be used to force the transmission to stay (or start) in first or second gear for extra traction on slippery surfaces or to control engine speed. 

In contrast, a manual transmission is just that, with gear changes done by pushing in the clutch pedal and moving the shifter to the desired gear. It can be tricky when starting from a stop, as the vehicle will stall if it is not timed correctly. However, once in motion, it is easier, with the driver shifting through the gears as the vehicle accelerates. Downshifting, such as when passing a vehicle or driving downhill, is done in the same manner by using the clutch and moving the shift lever into a lower gear.

That said, both have advantages and disadvantages. For starters, a manual gives a driver maximum control over their sporty vehicle, which is why they have long been popular in sports cars and motorsports. In addition, they are simpler and cheaper than automatics. Lastly, up until a decade ago, they delivered better acceleration and fuel economy. 

As for automatics, the biggest advantage is convenience, especially for day-to-day driving. Constantly shifting and pushing in the clutch can get tiresome, especially in Phoenix traffic. Likewise, most automatics now have eight or 10 gears, negating a manual's performance and fuel-saving benefits. 

Today, three pedals are a dying breed and are only found in a handful of sports cars and entry-level economy models.

How Do You Drive an Automatic Car with Paddle Shifters?

The driving experience in a car with paddle shifters is no different than driving an automatic without them. The paddles are typically located on the right side of the steering wheel, although at times, upshift "+" will be on the right and the downshift "-" on the left. Pushing "+" selects the next highest gear, and this is repeated several times as the vehicle accelerates, with downshifting done the same way using the "-." 

Fortunately, paddle shifting is fairly foolproof, thanks to numerous sensors and computer controls. These will prevent the driver from shifting into low gear and over-revving the engine, which can lead to expensive repairs. 

Which Ford Cars Have Paddle Shifters?

Ford began introducing paddle shifters into the Focus and Fusion starting in 2013. However, the availability varies by year and model, and they can be found in the following vehicles:

Pros and Cons of Paddle Shifters

There are really no cons associated with paddle shifters, and the transmission functions like a regular automatic when they are not being used. The only downside is their availability may be limited to certain models or trim packages. 

On the other hand, the main benefit of paddle shifters is enabling more control over your vehicle, and offering enthusiast drivers a more engaging driving experience. 

Is It Worth Using the Paddle Shifters?

While it ultimately depends on the driver, paddle shifters are beneficial in many situations: 

Towing and mountainous terrain: Paddle shifters can be useful when towing or driving in the mountains, as the transmission can be forced to hold a lower gear when more power is needed. The same logic applies to driving downhill, where the transmission's braking effect can be used to reduce (or maintain) speed.

Snow and Mud: Upshifting to a higher gear keeps the engine RPMs lower and helps provide some extra traction on wet and snow-covered roads. As with driving downhill, downshifting can slow the vehicle down without using the brakes.

Racing: In conditions where it is safe to push your vehicle to the limit, such as a local track, paddle shifters not only add to the excitement of competitive racing, but enable the driver to stay in a gear or downshift when entering a turn without having to take their hand off the wheel. 

What Is the Downside to Using Paddle Shifters?

Paddle shifters really don't have any downsides. The shifting process is controlled by a computer, and safeguards are in place to override gear changes that can damage the engine or transmission. 

How Are Paddle Shifters Helpful in Scottsdale, Arizona

Paddle shifters are certainly helpful for Scottdale residents. Cruising on the open highway in a 6-speed Mustang GT or Focus ST is an exhilarating experience. However, we won't sugar-coat it and say that driving in Scottsdale traffic is fun. That's where paddle shifters come in, and they provide the ability to smash through the gears without having a sore leg from constantly pushing in the clutch in stop-and-go traffic. 

What Are Other Names for Paddle Shifters?

There really are no other common names besides paddle shifters, although semi-automatics are sometimes referred to as Tiptronic transmissions, which is a specific term used by brands including Audi, Porsche, and Volkswagen. 

Find a Ford with Paddle Shifters Near Scottsdale, Arizona

AutoNation Ford Scottsdale has a great selection of driver-focused vehicles from the engineers at Ford. From the Mustang to the ST-Line lineup of powerful SUVs, the lineup is built to thrill. Once you take a Ford for a test drive and experience the power and precision, we know you'll be ready to take one home. 

Our in-house finance center can help put you in the vehicle of your dreams, while our service center can help make sure it's always running at peak performance. AutoNation Ford Scottsdale has the selection and the team to make your experience a winner. 

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