Automotive Can we bring back the pushbutton transmission?

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The discussion centers on the feasibility of reviving pushbutton transmissions in modern vehicles, with participants expressing nostalgia for their functionality and convenience. Concerns are raised about the space taken up by traditional shifters in center consoles, and some suggest moving the shift mechanism to the dashboard. However, practical issues such as user accessibility and the federal PRNDL standard are noted as potential barriers. Participants also mention the prevalence of paddle shifters and the shift towards electric vehicles, which simplify gear selection. Ultimately, the conversation reflects a blend of nostalgia and practicality in the evolution of automotive design.
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I used to be a happy owner of Chrysler cars with pushbutton transmissions. They worked very well.
1642610827136.png


Today, the center console of my car is high demand territory. I resent the excessive console room taken up by the shifter.

What prevents reverting to the pushbuttons? Is is the PRNDL federal standard?

Alternatively, what prevents moving the shift lever up to the dashboard as shown below?
1642610994388.png
 
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Sounds like you should get a BMW equipped with paddle shifters... :smile:

1642612721364.png
 
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Fascinating wear patterns on the shift buttons. Presuming the buttons preserve grime from the driver's fingertip, reverse appears most used or used first, followed by neutral than drive. Drive1&2 appear pristine.

Apropos the original question, I remember pushbutton shifters and complaints from some drivers. The buttons were difficult for drivers with long fingernails, weak hand strength, and could be slippery to operate.
 
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Well, how about a Dodge Ram 2022? (bottom right corner)

https://cars.usnews.com/pics/size/776x517/images/Auto/izmo/i159614780/2022_ram_ram_1500_pickup_steeringwheel.jpg​

2022 Chrysler Pacifica:

34225760-4B11-41F2-912C-3F65CAB3812E_1_105_c.jpg
2021 Chevrolet Tahoe:

2021-Chevrolet-Tahoe-RST-Live-Photos-7.jpg

2018 Lincoln MKC:

mkc-gear-shifter.jpg

2022 Honda Odyssey:

https://cars.usnews.com/pics/size/776x517/images/Auto/izmo/i159614519/2022_honda_odyssey_gearshift.jpg​

The list goes on and on.

Funny anecdote about the 60's Chrysler push button of the OP. My uncle used to own one like in the picture and the transmission broke down. He replaced it with a used one from a newer model, but it had an extra 'Park' on the shifter and the cables did not fit anymore. So my uncle let the cables hang under the dash and he was pulling the cables by hand to shift the transmission!
 
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I suspect it's a marketing decision. People must like a big shift lever. The days of needing a big lever to pull on a linkage to the transmission are long gone.

You've kind of answered your own question in it's formulation: it's not necessary, but the auto designers still do it. Just like your radio and cup holders.
 
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Paddle shifters are common.

The shifter on the dash is too far to reach. If I'm resting my arm on the center armrest, my hand naturally falls on the shifter. I have an automatic now but it still sits there.
 
Why shift in discrete gear ratios? Get an EV with start, reverse and stop buttons.
 
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Baluncore said:
Why shift in discrete gear ratios? Get an EV with start, reverse and stop buttons.
You forgot to mention the Insane Mode button... :smile:
 
My Merc has the gear selector on a stalk on the column. It's really convenient...once your muscle memory commits that the right side stalk is not the indicator stalk 🤦‍♂️ But it does free up space on the centre line console, so I don't understand why more manufacturers don't take advantage of buttons over a large knob shifter.

Oh, and I have paddles as well, but the 7-speed DSG transmission overrides my choice at the red line and at slow speeds, so I rarely use them. Also, I've grown out of the 'boy racer' stage of life!
 
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Melbourne Guy said:
I've grown out of the 'boy racer' stage of life
Doesn't seem to match up with this...
Melbourne Guy said:
but the 7-speed DSG transmission overrides my choice at the red line

Just sayin'... :wink:
 
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  • #11
berkeman said:
Just sayin'... :wink:
You've outed me, @berkeman 😂

Nah, seriously, it's a 1.4L turbo engine pulling a solidly built German hatch, they seemed obliged to include a "Sports" mode - hence the paddles - despite the fact that unless you trip the turbo the car is a slug! So, all the Sports mode seems to do is keep the revs over the turbo threshold, meaning the engine sucks down petrol like a thirsty sailor, howls stupidly even when you're cruising along, and holds an upshift for some Teutonicly precise number of milliseconds longer than it otherwise would. Oh, and still controls the gears because, God forbid, you pick the wrong one!

Now, I will admit to very occasionally opening the sunroof and playing Muse's "Uprising" at high volume (the car has a 1,400W Harmon Kardon stereo, that's pretty nice) while in Sports mode. It is as close to a boy racer as I come, though, sadly, our speed limits are really low, so all that gets me in the end is a little bit more deaf, a bigger bill at the bowser, and startled looks from passersby!
 
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  • #12
Baluncore said:
Why shift in discrete gear ratios? Get an EV with start, reverse and stop buttons.
That has a single discrete gear ratio. If you want to go away from discrete gear ratios, you want a CVT.
 
  • #13
cjl said:
you want a CVT
I had one of them once, nobody wants a CVT, @cjl 😉

Seriously, it was a little Honda Jazz, great design, one of those 'small on the outside, big on the inside' cars, but the CVT was diabolical. You could never trust it off the mark, it was ultra-sluggish, so pulling out during a gap in traffic became a cross your fingers and hope endeavour. Thinking about it, it also had paddle shifters, and they were even less useful than in my Merc!

(Also, I suspect you were not advocating for CVT, merely pointing out that they don't have gears.)
 
  • #15
Melbourne Guy said:
I had one of them once, nobody wants a CVT, @cjl 😉

Seriously, it was a little Honda Jazz, great design, one of those 'small on the outside, big on the inside' cars, but the CVT was diabolical. You could never trust it off the mark, it was ultra-sluggish, so pulling out during a gap in traffic became a cross your fingers and hope endeavour. Thinking about it, it also had paddle shifters, and they were even less useful than in my Merc!

(Also, I suspect you were not advocating for CVT, merely pointing out that they don't have gears.)
n=1?
 
  • #16
DaveE said:
n=1?
As in CVT? Sure, for me it does, @DaveE, but I read a lot of news and reviews about them after buying the Honda and my summary is that if they were fantastic at their job, every auto would be a CVT!
 

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