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Ime it's like operating systems, most people you hear seem overly opinionated when it's not that big a deal.
We have a non-flappy paddle DSG. So a quick way to lower gearing is Sport mode, if you need real control you push the stick to Manual then push up or down. I found it really useful when staying with a mate in darkest Devon down a long steep rough road. The auto jumps to 2nd almost immediately (which was too high) so used manual a lot to select 1st. I do also use it for fun sometimes.
hugo7
itsbruce
NotThamesWater
But really, it's good for either long or steep or both hills, but as far as I'm aware most autos let you select a lower gear so you can avoid over heating the brakes and because if you're braking down a hill unnecessarily you're just turning your fuel to heat and leaving the car in gear down a hill drives the engine without needing fuel and out of gear you're essentially idling so using fueland not in full control. I've only driven an auto a few times and found it a bit confusing at first, changing gear manually doesn't really involve thinking, even if I've not driven in months, kinda muscle memory.