Manually shifting the Automatic Tranny
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 314
From: CA
RE: Manually shifting the Automatic Tranny
General Auto Rules.
When crusing through town always have O/D off.
Don't be afraid to stay in 1st a little longer.
It's okay to stop in second and start in second. (just wont be as fast)
Constantly changing gears will heat your tranny so it a good ideal to flush every 20k to keep her fresh.
When down shifting wait for about 2k to 1.5Kor less before going a gear lower
When up shifting just listen to the motor and keep you eye on the tac. usually between 3k to 4k is good unless your racing.
Dont take your foot off the gas between shifts. You'llcause more damage than good from constant jerking.
When crusing through town always have O/D off.
Don't be afraid to stay in 1st a little longer.
It's okay to stop in second and start in second. (just wont be as fast)
Constantly changing gears will heat your tranny so it a good ideal to flush every 20k to keep her fresh.
When down shifting wait for about 2k to 1.5Kor less before going a gear lower
When up shifting just listen to the motor and keep you eye on the tac. usually between 3k to 4k is good unless your racing.
Dont take your foot off the gas between shifts. You'llcause more damage than good from constant jerking.
4th Gear Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,257
From: Chicagoland
RE: Manually shifting the Automatic Tranny
ORIGINAL: VerginaStang
Please do not say "go buy a manual".
Can you guys help teach me the proper way to shift the stock Automatic tranny in these cars. The concept of shifting the automatic is foreign to me, but I would like to learn the proper way, so that I do not damage the Tranny. I am/will be, looking into purchasing a ratchet style shifter, as more and more of them are released for our cars (a few threads are creeping up here and on other forums).
What are the mechanics of shifting? from what I know, your foot should not come off of the gas when shifting, correct?
I should never be starting from a stop in 2nd or third, right?
When decelerating, should I be downshifting?
When I come to a complete stop, should the car be in 1?
If I am rolling, (never stopping) to make a turn, but at a low speed, should I leave the car in 2?
I'm sure a lot of people are going to say WTF, why do you want to do that, you have an auto, and blah blah. I'd like to have the best of both worlds
Thanks for the help as always guys!!!
Please do not say "go buy a manual".
Can you guys help teach me the proper way to shift the stock Automatic tranny in these cars. The concept of shifting the automatic is foreign to me, but I would like to learn the proper way, so that I do not damage the Tranny. I am/will be, looking into purchasing a ratchet style shifter, as more and more of them are released for our cars (a few threads are creeping up here and on other forums).
What are the mechanics of shifting? from what I know, your foot should not come off of the gas when shifting, correct?
I should never be starting from a stop in 2nd or third, right?
When decelerating, should I be downshifting?
When I come to a complete stop, should the car be in 1?
If I am rolling, (never stopping) to make a turn, but at a low speed, should I leave the car in 2?
I'm sure a lot of people are going to say WTF, why do you want to do that, you have an auto, and blah blah. I'd like to have the best of both worlds
Thanks for the help as always guys!!!
I vary rarely have the need to move it out of drive.
did you tell doug your car is a auto?
my 93 race tune makes people think I have a "shift kit"
4th Gear Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,249
From: Utah
RE: Manually shifting the Automatic Tranny
ORIGINAL: VerginaStang
This doesnt make any sense... if starting the car in second is a bad idea... why would I not put the car in first when I stop?
What you're saying is to stop in second, then shift to first after you are stopped, and leave it in first to start. What I'm thinkin is the better alternative would be to shift to first when I'm below lets say 10 mph, and I know I'm going to stop. Stopping in second doesnt seem like a good idea, and most cars with manumatic trannys will not allow you to do it, and will shift into first without the driver doing anything.
This doesnt make any sense... if starting the car in second is a bad idea... why would I not put the car in first when I stop?
What you're saying is to stop in second, then shift to first after you are stopped, and leave it in first to start. What I'm thinkin is the better alternative would be to shift to first when I'm below lets say 10 mph, and I know I'm going to stop. Stopping in second doesnt seem like a good idea, and most cars with manumatic trannys will not allow you to do it, and will shift into first without the driver doing anything.
But when your stopped...D will start off on 1st. 2nd will start off in 2nd. So, once your stopped go ahead and
drop it into 1st...or if you want, drop in into 1st just before coming to a complete stop...like you said, under 10 mph.
5th Gear Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,547
From: The High Country
RE: Manually shifting the Automatic Tranny
ORIGINAL: VerginaStang
This doesnt make any sense... if starting the car in second is a bad idea... why would I not put the car in first when I stop?
What you're saying is to stop in second, then shift to first after you are stopped, and leave it in first to start. What I'm thinkin is the better alternative would be to shift to first when I'm below lets say 10 mph, and I know I'm going to stop. Stopping in second doesnt seem like a good idea, and most cars with manumatic trannys will not allow you to do it, and will shift into first without the driver doing anything.
This doesnt make any sense... if starting the car in second is a bad idea... why would I not put the car in first when I stop?
What you're saying is to stop in second, then shift to first after you are stopped, and leave it in first to start. What I'm thinkin is the better alternative would be to shift to first when I'm below lets say 10 mph, and I know I'm going to stop. Stopping in second doesnt seem like a good idea, and most cars with manumatic trannys will not allow you to do it, and will shift into first without the driver doing anything.
ORIGINAL: MrSandman
I don't think I ever shifted into first while stopping in a stick.. (just put it in neutral).. so I'm not sure why you would force your car to do it in an auto. You would have to be going pretty slow for it to not jerk. First is for taking off.. not stopping.
I don't think I ever shifted into first while stopping in a stick.. (just put it in neutral).. so I'm not sure why you would force your car to do it in an auto. You would have to be going pretty slow for it to not jerk. First is for taking off.. not stopping.
ORIGINAL: VerginaStang
thanks for all of the INFORMATIVE replies!
Lemme ask you this:
If starting in 2nd is a no-no, than coming to a complete stop in second would conceivably be a no-no also, right? Whats the prime mph to shift into first? Also, when decelerating, from lets say third gear, would it be possible for me to miss 2nd and shift right into 1st, harming the tranny?
thanks for all of the INFORMATIVE replies!
Lemme ask you this:
If starting in 2nd is a no-no, than coming to a complete stop in second would conceivably be a no-no also, right? Whats the prime mph to shift into first? Also, when decelerating, from lets say third gear, would it be possible for me to miss 2nd and shift right into 1st, harming the tranny?
I'm going to try to hammer this thought in. In a manual, you push in on the clutch when coming to a stop. In an auto, the TC kicks out with less fluid pressure so IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT GEAR YOU STOP IN. YOU NEED TO BE IN 1 TO GET THE THING ROLLING, NOT STOPPING1
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 334
From:
RE: Manually shifting the Automatic Tranny
WOW, nothing settled here. Drive it like you want. Auto and manny lovers will always defend their positions. Tiptronic is not semi-automatic, it's still an automatic with delays between gear changes just like leaving it in D. i cannot speak from experience but i read on these forums that the tunes improve automatics shift points. Just leave it in D and be done with it. Me, over 1 million + miles with a stick and as long as i can walk, won't buy an automatic for myself. My wife, she has an auto and i don't like driving it. To me, it's like sitting in a couch and pointing the vehicle; I like to feel as if I'm involved with driving, I guess it's rubbed off from riding motorcycles.
It's just personal preference and for those of us that chose a manny and get more WHP as a reward, again, it's a personal choice. they all look the same parked and they all will break the speed limit.
It's just personal preference and for those of us that chose a manny and get more WHP as a reward, again, it's a personal choice. they all look the same parked and they all will break the speed limit.
Thread Starter
3rd Gear Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 697
From:
RE: Manually shifting the Automatic Tranny
ORIGINAL: GidyupGo
There wasn't supposed to be anything settled here. Just trying to educate the lad on the practises of shifting an auto.
There wasn't supposed to be anything settled here. Just trying to educate the lad on the practises of shifting an auto.
I also might purchase a ratchet shifter bc I love the look.
