A request, if at possible could we we have standard transmissions again.
How did you used to shift?
You can now tap the W button, or map it to the button you used to shift with, until you are in the gear you desire.
The Heads-Up Display in the commander's position has your speed on the Right, what gear you are in on top, and your desired speed on the left. There is also a small red carrot within the circle indicating North in addition to the larger carrot indication your head position and the bar indicating your main gun position relative to the tank's hull.
Tap W until the gear display is in the gear you want. If you go into the next gear that you don't want, tap S until you are back in the gear you want.
Basically, the new system has taken away the "push the stick forward to move
while shifting with Q and W" and put it all into one function, the W and S keys.
It should actually be easier this way. It just takes some getting used to.
I would also suggest mapping Shift+S to a HOTAS button so you can slam on the brakes when needed and Shift+W so you can floor it.
wrongway