hey all -

i like to pretend i have a 5spd sometimes , and i manual shift my automagic - is this really bad for the tranny? i mean i know it is not the greatest thing in the world, but could i kill it doing this? and if i am in 1st gear going 3,000-4,000 rpms consistantly, is that bad too? - just curious

 

search.

 

i did, otherwise i wouldn't have posted this thread. i have been on the org. long enough to do a search first. but thank you anyway for the helpfull information.

 

Actually, I've seen several threads similar to this...

anyways, to answer your question, it obviously is bad for your tranny. Bad meaning longterm wear. I haven't heard of any immediate damage done by it but I really wouldn't recommend it unless you want to downshift faster. Just floor it! No point in staying in first for a long time...

have fun

 

oh, well sorry if i was being sarcastic, but i really did search, and i looked through the first 4 pages, but found nothing. sorry. so i can't like grind any gears or anything?

the only reason i stay in 1st for a while is because with all my mods on my car and me rolling by going 25mph @ 4,000 rmps, it sounds like i have a manual, and i love that sound!

thanks for your reply nadir_s

 

I do not think it is bad for your tranny.

1) change your tranny fluid every 20k miles and a tranny cooler would not hurt

2) Your ECU will not allow you to down shift your car into a very hi rpm.. if you have NOS or a SC I would not down shift... flooring it while downshifting could kill it.

3) What is the difference between you shifting it and your car? What is the difference in a manual they do it?

I have had my car for almost 60 k miles and I shift it like a 5 spd. BUT I also take care of it. I have 118k miles on my car.. no slipage in the tranny

Can you abuse it? YES

Can you abuse your tranny while in "d"? YES

It is a hydrualic/electric/mechanical machine. It was made to shift gears wether you do it or your ECU.

 

dude, it's definately bad for an auto tranny. The ECU does the job of shifting it properly; the only reason why you have the ability to downshift in the first place is when you are on inclines and need the constant low gear for either keepin the car at a controlled speed going downhill or the low rpm for uphill climb.

Have you ever driven stick? BIG difference

You're advice of maintaining your tranny is well taken and i totally agree but i'm just saying there is no way shifting an auto like a 5spd is NOT bad for your car.

 

Please explain to me why you think it is bad.

No, I am Not calling you out or a liar.

I am just asking for a little help of why you think it is so bad. you might be correct. I just would like some information or facts to help me understand

thanks

 

The only differnce between moving the lever and letting the car shift is that you tell the car when to shift. The actual mechanics of it are exactly the same. Shift firmness and shift speed are still determined by the TCM when you move the lever yourself.

 

Why not just convert to 5 speed if you love it so much?

 

I don't know why people think its bad to shift manually. I do it and the tranny computer engages the gears correctly no matter how fast your going. Even coasting in neutral and dropping it back into gear, the tranny doesn't grind. The computer knows what to do to prevent damage.

 

see that is my thought process and how i drive. BUT I may be wrong. That's why I asked for information.

and ben who's your BBQ daddy??

 

i am actually getting my new max soon... hopefully by the end of the month... but i do not want to put in a new tranny before i sell the max i have now .

 

so your saying, that no matter what i do, messing with my tranny will not hurt it? what if i do not take my foot off the gas completly before i knock it into 2nd, and i am still giving it gas?

 

that's not a big deal, just don't do anything dumb like neutral drops, reverse to drive, drive to reverse.... u get the idea. I think from that last long thread on this topic, it came down to that there MAY be a VERY slight advantage as far as speed, do what you want. Also, I think most people were in a consensus with what mzmtg said, that shifting the lever does NOT shift the gear, it only tells the tranny computer to shift..... blah blah blah im tired.

 

if your in D and floor it what happens? do you take your foot off the gas in D ?

See what I am getting at.

I see no reason why it would hurt the tranny.

 

I'd agree with manually shifting not doing any more damage than a regular "D" style shiftage ---- BUT. Downshifting? No way!

Go about 45mph at D with overdrive off, and push it into 2. The crazy belch/wallop that the car bounces around in is NUTS. I've never felt anything as bad in an automatic transmission car, as compared to a downshift from D to 2 (or 2 to 1).