Semi-automatic transmission and paddle shift

[EJV]

Could someone tell me what is a semiautomatic transmission?Is it changimg gear without pressing the clutch??Also what is a paddle shift, often heard in Formula -1s?

[twiglet4frog]

semi auto is the changing of gears without pushing a clutch down so no clutch peddle but isnt fully automatic in the way u still physically have to select the gear with either a gearstick or F1 paddle shift. Paddle shift is where a pair of levers sit on or behind the steering wheel and u pull one of them to go up in gear and the other to come down in gear. it is faster and easier to use because there is no clutch pedal and u cant select the wrong gear as it goes in order, however it takes practice to remember how to select the gear u need

[Skids]

Semi-auto transmission is, as you say, being able to change gear without pressing the clutch, as there is no manual clutch.  Its basically the same as automatic transmission except that you tell it when to change instead of it making its own mind up.  Many manufacturer's offer this under various different names, one favourite being 'tip-tronic'.  The main feature being that you can have either full-automatic or semi-automatic transmission whenever you decide.  Another being that there is no H-shift pattern, just push the stick forward for up a gear and backward for down a gear.  A continuation of this is the paddle-shift, where the manual change function is moved from the stick to 'padles' located behind the steering wheel within finger tip reach.  Pull the right paddle to change up and pull the left to change down.  This isn't a common feature on production cars but simple switches mounted on the steering wheel itself are favoured for the same function.