manually shifting an automatic
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Instructor
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: live fast die young
manually shifting an automatic
so you start off in Low (or first) and nail it. when you get to your shift point, you shift. BUT the car continues to redline before shifting. same thing as just leaving it in drive. is this normal? i mean, why bother shifting if it's just going to continue to it's normal shifting point anyway?
randy
randy
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,287
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From: n/a SC
I agree why do it....I bought a auto because I have had manual cars before and tired of them quickly so you won't catch me manually shifting mine + I would say it's not good on the car and it doesn't help your ET on the track it makes it worse.
Melting Slicks
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From: What did the 5 fingers say to the face? SLAP!!
Originally Posted by wildman378
I agree why do it....I bought a auto because I have had manual cars before and tired of them quickly so you won't catch me manually shifting mine + I would say it's not good on the car and it doesn't help your ET on the track it makes it worse.
I picked up 2 tenths by manually shifting, but then my car doesn't shift a t redline. If in D, it shifts closer to 4900-5000
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: n/a SC
"I picked up 2 tenths by manually shifting, but then my car doesn't shift a t redline. If in D, it shifts closer to 4900-5000"
Really? wow, I haven't ever tried it on mine at the track but I usually go to the track with a buddy who has a 95 z28 and each time he bump shifts he gets a worse time.
Really? wow, I haven't ever tried it on mine at the track but I usually go to the track with a buddy who has a 95 z28 and each time he bump shifts he gets a worse time.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 13,298
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From: Somers NY
Its important to note what year your car is & if its shifted by computer or valve body.. I have a 96... I race it almost every week, & "KNOW" how to get the best ET.... my car is computer controlled so I got a Hypertech, & set the shift points to where I want it to shift.. if you have an older trans they usually shift TOO SOON so by holding it in 1st gear until the tach reaches your shift point you will run quicker..
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
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From: Lufkin Texas
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
I'm not a tranny guru and I'm trying to learn something here so ya'll be merciful. Am I wrong in my assumption that LOW 1st and Low 2nd are a lower ratio than Drive 1st and 2nd on a 700r4 ? I know when I have mine in Low 1st it makes a lower gear whine and feels more torquey and seems to launch better than when in Drive 1st. I have a shift kit for manual shifting and get better times and harder quicker shifts when manual shifting. Am I wrong in my assumption?? If so than why does manual tell to put in low 1st or 2nd for steep inclines or for better pulling traction?? If automatic drive 1st and 2nd were the same for these conditions what would the difference be? Just wondering. Anyone?? 
Melting Slicks
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From: What did the 5 fingers say to the face? SLAP!!
Originally Posted by skateparkdave
I'm not a tranny guru and I'm trying to learn something here so ya'll be merciful. Am I wrong in my assumption that LOW 1st and Low 2nd are a lower ratio than Drive 1st and 2nd on a 700r4 ? I know when I have mine in Low 1st it makes a lower gear whine and feels more torquey and seems to launch better than when in Drive 1st. I have a shift kit for manual shifting and get better times and harder quicker shifts when manual shifting. Am I wrong in my assumption?? If so than why does manual tell to put in low 1st or 2nd for steep inclines or for better pulling traction?? If automatic drive 1st and 2nd were the same for these conditions what would the difference be? Just wondering. Anyone??
1st is 1st, and 2nd is 2nd. There is no Low 1st and Low 2nd. Just 1st and 2nd. It doesn't matter if you have it in D or not. The manual says to drive down steep inclines in 1st or 2nd to use the engine as a brake to keep speed down.
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Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,620
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From: MCAA License to Kill
St. Jude Contributor
You only need to use manual shifting if you want it to hold that gear 
If you're cruising on the street and launch in 1, then go up to about 4k and decide that's a good place to shift and click it into 2, it won't shift if you're still at wot (like you noticed)...BECAUSE that's not what determines the shift point. It's how much you're on the gas that determines where the A4 will decide to shift. So, if you're flooring it, you're telling the comp you want to go all the way up to the max shift point. By manually shifting to 2nd from 1st, all you're telling the computer is: you want it to go to the next gear when it hits the shift point, and don't hold the gear.
BUT, if you've got some mods that get you more power past the shifting point and you want it to hold the rpms to 5000 or more before shift (and yours isn't controlled like the 96) THEN you use the manual shifting If it's in 1 and would normally shift at 4800 but you want it to go to 5200, thats when manual shifting works. Any shifting below the shift point is controlled by throttle position.
If you're cruising on the street and launch in 1, then go up to about 4k and decide that's a good place to shift and click it into 2, it won't shift if you're still at wot (like you noticed)...BECAUSE that's not what determines the shift point. It's how much you're on the gas that determines where the A4 will decide to shift. So, if you're flooring it, you're telling the comp you want to go all the way up to the max shift point. By manually shifting to 2nd from 1st, all you're telling the computer is: you want it to go to the next gear when it hits the shift point, and don't hold the gear.BUT, if you've got some mods that get you more power past the shifting point and you want it to hold the rpms to 5000 or more before shift (and yours isn't controlled like the 96) THEN you use the manual shifting
If it's in 1 and would normally shift at 4800 but you want it to go to 5200, thats when manual shifting works. Any shifting below the shift point is controlled by throttle position.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
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From: Lufkin Texas
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Originally Posted by flyersfan1088
1st is 1st, and 2nd is 2nd. There is no Low 1st and Low 2nd. Just 1st and 2nd. It doesn't matter if you have it in D or not. The manual says to drive down steep inclines in 1st or 2nd to use the engine as a brake to keep speed down.
Exact words written:quote
*2 (second gear)
"This setting gives you MORE POWER but less fuel economy. You can use it on hills. It can also help control your speed as you go down steep mountain roads, but then you would want to use your brakes on and off, too."
*1 (first gear)
"This setting gives you EVEN MORE POWER but less fuel economy than "2". You can use it on steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. Your Corvette won't go into "1" until it's going slowly enough."
End quote
Again, I'm not disputing you but what does it mean by "more power" than if just in drive? Is it just because it will STAY there and not shift when manually in 1 or 2?? Probably so. Still my 1st gear sounds lower when put there manually then when it's there at same speed in drive. Makes me wonder.
Melting Slicks
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From: What did the 5 fingers say to the face? SLAP!!
Originally Posted by skateparkdave
I believe you, like I said, I'm no trans guru but my 1990 owners manual that came with car says exactly this on pg. 61.
Exact words written:quote
*2 (second gear)
"This setting gives you MORE POWER but less fuel economy. You can use it on hills. It can also help control your speed as you go down steep mountain roads, but then you would want to use your brakes on and off, too."
*1 (first gear)
"This setting gives you EVEN MORE POWER but less fuel economy than "2". You can use it on steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. Your Corvette won't go into "1" until it's going slowly enough."
End quote
Again, I'm not disputing you but what does it mean by "more power" than if just in drive? Is it just because it will STAY there and not shift when manually in 1 or 2?? Probably so. Still my 1st gear sounds lower when put there manually then when it's there at same speed in drive. Makes me wonder.
Exact words written:quote
*2 (second gear)
"This setting gives you MORE POWER but less fuel economy. You can use it on hills. It can also help control your speed as you go down steep mountain roads, but then you would want to use your brakes on and off, too."
*1 (first gear)
"This setting gives you EVEN MORE POWER but less fuel economy than "2". You can use it on steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. Your Corvette won't go into "1" until it's going slowly enough."
End quote
Again, I'm not disputing you but what does it mean by "more power" than if just in drive? Is it just because it will STAY there and not shift when manually in 1 or 2?? Probably so. Still my 1st gear sounds lower when put there manually then when it's there at same speed in drive. Makes me wonder.
I have no idea why it says that. Now you've got me curious, so I'll have to dig out my '86 manual. If that's the case, I'll just leave it in 1 for the entire 1/4 mile since it gives me "even more power". Your 1st gear might sound lower because it's in gear longer than if it was shifting automatically.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 7,033
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Originally Posted by flyersfan1088
I have no idea why it says that. Now you've got me curious, so I'll have to dig out my '86 manual. If that's the case, I'll just leave it in 1 for the entire 1/4 mile since it gives me "even more power". Your 1st gear might sound lower because it's in gear longer than if it was shifting automatically.
The reason your manual states it like that is for the general population. They attempt to dumb it down when they write those things.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,524
Likes: 10
From: Lufkin Texas
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Originally Posted by flyersfan1088
If that's the case, I'll just leave it in 1 for the entire 1/4 mile since it gives me "even more power". Your 1st gear might sound lower because it's in gear longer than if it was shifting automatically.
Maybe it's just in my head but it makes a low gear noise going like 5mph in manual 1st and not in Drive 1st. In drive it doesnt shift from 1st until like 15mph but I dont hear that low gear sound. I dunno, Maybe I'm crazy. Anyways, regardless, I think shifting manual right when my powerband is about to run out is faster because the R's are higher than when just in drive. I dont cruise this way but when I race I do it. But, to each his own.:flag
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,428
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From: Jacksonville FL
Under certain conditions an auto trans will start in 2nd gear especially if you have a performance ratio axel. Or the 1st to 2nd shift happens so quick under partial throttle conditions that you don't even realize that it has happened.
Mike.
Mike.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,593
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From: Mobile AL
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by Midnite 88
Under certain conditions an auto trans will start in 2nd gear especially if you have a performance ratio axel. Or the 1st to 2nd shift happens so quick under partial throttle conditions that you don't even realize that it has happened.
Mike.
Mike.
That's why it's called an automatic transmission. You can program in different shift points (speeds) but the factory has done a pretty good job of programming in shift points for performance vs. fuel economy. Unless you're going to the drags, I'd leave it in either Drive or Overdrive and let the computer do its job.
