Shifter works, but will not move from D left into M or any lower gear? "Paddle Shifters" on steering wheel (buttons) do not work either. Any ideas?

 

To move from D to M, you need to push a little harder than going from P->R->N->D. I think that's so you don't accidentally go from D to M. I usually just hit the shifter into M from D. You need to be in M for the paddle shifter to work and the gears start at 2 (not 1) when in manual mode. From a stop, the car transmission will go from 1->2 for you. You will notice it switches gear even though it says 2.

 

I usually tap the shifter with my palm to go into manual mode as it is a bit stiff to engage it into manual mode.

 

Yeah do this, for some reason in my experience it doesn't wanna budge as easily when you grip it and move it. just slap the thing into M.