I have always driven my last vehicles on drive. Now I want to experiment and make sure it's safe. I never tried to manually drive an automatic today. I was going from 1 to 2 and eventually 3 to drive. It felt a lot faster than just putting it on drive and flooring it.

Is this a safe method? Do any other automatic drivers do this?

 

I do it from time to time, and downshift like that as well and put into neutral when rolling to a stop etc... your Gas Mileage does take a hit doing it... But so far I have no problems... But if you are looking for good gas mileage in an "AUTO", let the computer do the shifting...

 

Would just getting a diablo predator tuner make me go faster and save on gas?

 

I have a SCT LiveWire Tuner with BamaChip tunes... Its not going to make you "Go Faster" just get up to speed quicker.. your Gov. Chip will kick in at 124MPH, While you can take it out, and even on some cars program it out, I don't recommend it, its there for a reason to keep you from over powering the car beyond what its meant to do with the stock setup.

What fuel are you running? 87, 91, 93? Some say if you want better mileage to use 87 only... Power = 93... But with a tune you can find a happy medium of mileage/power in a 91-93 tune... again, this is pretty much determined by your right foot as well.

You can also run an 87 tune with 93 Oct Fuel, just not a 93 tune 87 fuel.

There is no tuner out there "No matter what they say" that will give you POWER for less fuel... Power takes MORE Fuel... Hence the reason I got the tuner and tunes I did... When I want better mileage, 87 fuel and tune, and when I want POWER, 93 fuel and tune... Also, be aware of tuners that say "we can save you 35% in fuel consumption", at best you might save 10% and that is if you drive normal speeds and don't drag it out of every light...

If you want even more power, look at a T-Loc (to hook up your rear tires), and 3.73 or 4.10 gears, along with a CAI. that will give you some more "UMPH" but not more speed... it will simply be "Snappy" instead of the sluggishness you feel now with stock stuff.

 

I do it every now and again, and yes, it does feel like you get it going a lot quicker. As far as wear and tear, I don't know, that is why i really don't do it to often. I wouldn't mind replacing my engine if it blew, because I would get a better one, but I would rather not spend $ on a new tranny.

 

I always used to put mine in D on the street and let it shift itself. Leave it in D at the track.
Don't do the 1-D-1 shuffle you'll definatly burn out the over drive clutch and your times won't be any faster.

TCI makes a nice manual valve body that will allow you to hold gears without burning anything up.