Why does the Bolt have a gearshift in the middle?

[ScooterCT]

>> So, I'm not sure what the OP is complaining about

That's a mis-characterization of my original posting. It was not a complaint. It was an open-ended question seeking comment.

 

[boltage]

http://wardsauto.com/technology/gmc-terrain-says-bye-bye-gear-shifter

Interesting article on moving shift controls. It raises the whole safety question.

Looks like they intentionally used different actions for R and D (pull) versus P and N (push) to make it less likely to accidentally choose the incorrect setting.

The ergonomic / safety question was the subject of an earlier Consumer Reports web page:

http://www.consumerreports.org/car-safety/automatic-shifters-proceed-with-caution/

(Note that the Bolt shifter is from the same parts bin as that of the Cadillac XT5 and probably some other GM cars.)

 

[boltage]

Note that push button shifters and shifters in places other than the center console or steering column have been tried in the past.

http://www.classiccarstodayonline.com/2013/05/26/alternate-gear-shift-levers-through-the-years/

 

[SparkE]

One of my brothers had a '63 Plymouth with push-button auto trans to the left of the steering wheel. This was back in the 90s. Cool car.

 

[ScooterCT]

Those are some cool pictures. Nothing is new any more. It's all been done before.

 

[SeanNelson]

http://wardsauto.com/technology/gmc-terrain-says-bye-bye-gear-shifter
Interesting article on moving shift controls. It raises the whole safety question.

GM's push/pull button system seems like it's pretty well thought out. The biggest issue with moving away from shift levers has been with drivers not ending up in the "gear" they thought they were, and this seems to pretty much eliminate that risk.

 

[boltage]

http://wardsauto.com/technology/gmc-terrain-says-bye-bye-gear-shifter
Interesting article on moving shift controls. It raises the whole safety question.

GM's push/pull button system seems like it's pretty well thought out. The biggest issue with moving away from shift levers has been with drivers not ending up in the "gear" they thought they were, and this seems to pretty much eliminate that risk.

Note that older mechanical shift levers had their issues. There used to be occasional recalls where problems in the mechanical shift levers (possibly worsened by wear over time/use) meant that when the indicator was in park, it was actually not in park. The tendency of many drivers not to use the parking brake when parking also increased the risk of the car with such a problem rolling away when "parked". The latter tendency appears to be why the vehicle described in the article automatically engages the parking brake when put in park.

 

[Pigwich]

Wouldn't it be cool if you could just swap out a center console to an aftermarket one you liked better?

The LEAF immediately comes to mind. That stupid diddle-puck is the worst. Except for the 8-track style ones...

The lever is for PARK. How'd ya like to grease those cables? I can feel the button splitting in two and the metal core stabbing me in the thumb just thinking about it.