Paddle shifter help I downshift around 2000 RPM?

CHRISTIANMONRO

MEMBER
2023 NISSAN ALTIMA
2.5L
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
63,000 MILES

I have had a muffler delete on my car for about seven months now so when I downshift, you can hear the burbles or the pops so I used the paddle shifters almost every single time almost every time I drive like the whole time basically to downshift to come to a stop to a stoplight or to upshift I don’t do it aggressively. I downshift around 2000 RPM and upshift around 3000 RPM, but I used the paddle shifters a lot. I just wanna know if me using my paddle shifters excessively every single day every time I drive is gonna harm my engine or cvt transmission or lower the life expectancy of my vehicle. I wouldn’t think you would harm it because it’s simulated gear and there’s not actual gears in the transmission. I just wanna know so I don’t hurt my car

Monday, November 24th, 2025 AT 3:16 PM

1 Reply

KRAKENAUTO

MECHANIC
79 POSTS

While you aren't grinding gears technically, you are putting a different kind of stress on the transmission. The short answer is yes. Continuously driving this way will likely lower the life expectancy of your CVT transmission.

A CVT uses a steel belt and pulleys that expand and contract. Every time you downshift to slow down, you force that belt to grab the pulleys under high tension and spin the engine faster. This generates heat, which is the main killer of CVT transmissions. Doing it occasionally is fine, but doing it all the time can lead to a belt stretching or pulleys scoring earlier than they otherwise would.

Use the paddles for fun on open roads, but use your regular brakes for normal stopping.

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Tuesday, November 25th, 2025 AT 9:49 AM