Not too familiar with this yet on the G35, but can you damage the transmission with this much like you could a 6mt if you don't change the gears quick enough?
Or is it set to change automatically as it gets closer to the Red Line?

 

you'll hit the rev limiter (built in safety)... so generally no you wont damage... I've hit it boatloads of times in various gears...

 

There's enough delay you can't 'bang it' into gears like a manual. As said hitting the rev limiter is the most common mistake.

OH NO! I thought when I tapped it back it would go into a higher gear not a lower one!!!

There is a thread under mods somewhere on how you can reverse the selector so it upshifts when you pull back on it. It's quite simple.

 

I know in my former car (1999 Pontiac Grand Prix), when I was 16 I took it drag racing and tried to shift manually. I hit the rev limiter and stayed there for a little too long by accident. One of my roller rockers snapped clean off (for those who aren't familar, the roller rocker is the the device that essentially controls when your intake and exhaust valves open and close so should one of them break...it can be pretty bad).

If you're experienced with cars, its relatively simple to fix...in a pushrod engine anyway. The process would be slightly more involved...and a little more pricey for this motor though.

The "manual" mode in this car is pretty unique as it will punish your stupidity since it won't downshift for you if you drive too slow (at least I don't think it will) and it won't upshift for you either if you hit the limiter. Something most cars will do for you.

 

So I take then you will not be able to downshift if you are going too fast for the lower gear?

 

rocsell you are correct