Manually shift your automatic?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 305
Likes: 0
Manually shift your automatic?
Hey everyone.... I was having a problem with my car short shifting first and bogging into second. From a dead stop the car will bust the tires loose than short shift into second and bog down. This morning I put it in first manually and punched it from a stop. The car busted the tires loose and kept spinning until I shifted at about 4800. I shifted into second, the bog was gone, and the car chirped second and kept pulling like a train. Now here is my question......How many of you manually shift your automatic? Is there a way to get rid of the car short shifting itself automatically?
Pro
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 584
Likes: 1
From: Near Lockport NY Black 1986 Coupe
For some reason when I put my car into first it will automatically shift into second without me shifting. Then it stays in second until I shift into drive. Do I have to shift while slowing down to get into first, or is my tranny on the way out?
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,966
Likes: 4
From: Made In America
St. Jude Donor '10-'11
I upshift mine on occassion but I never downshift while the car is in motion. It can damage the transmission by stretching the bands inside of it. When I accelerate in first, it takes off like a bat out of hell, hit 2and and it jerks forward hard, then into drive the jerking is softer. Has always been that way. The later models have been upgraded with a softener to keep it from shif jerking so hard when you put the car in gear from Reverse, Neutral, or Park. Like the others said below me, shift kits help and the firmer the shifts during driving is good. It's the jerking that it does from going into drive that is not healthy but still normal from the factory.
I would like to add, some shift kits allow you to shift manually all the time with a automatic. Just a thought.
I would like to add, some shift kits allow you to shift manually all the time with a automatic. Just a thought.
Last edited by M.J.L.; Oct 15, 2008 at 01:44 PM. Reason: Clarifying response
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,065
Likes: 1
From: Jasper Texas
hmm....I shift my automatic manually when I'm going for performance. It shifts at 5200 rpms automatically, I shift at 6500 manually, big difference! I downshift the mess out of it too, I just have too much fun. :o
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 5,262
Likes: 0
From: E. Amherst NY
Say what? I've always been told faster shifting transmissions last longer. Less wear on the clutch packs. Hence, why transmissions with shift kits are said to last longer.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,799
Likes: 2
From: Cape Coral FL
When a trans has had the shifts "softened", what that means is the clutch plates are slipping to facilitate a softer shift. Transmission shift kits actually add to transmission life by taking this "slop" out of the shift process.
Also, upping the TCS line pressure in a later 4L60E will accomplish the same result.
FYI, I shift my '96 manually most of the time (with the ASR off, too!), and only let it shift itself if I feel like it.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,171
Likes: 1
From: Warwick RI
shifter is probably out of adjustment
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,838
Likes: 31
From: Australia
I have a quality shift kit in my perf built trans and shift mine like a stick both up and down.
Engine braking is great on the downhill twisty roads
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 5,262
Likes: 0
From: E. Amherst NY
(best Geico caveman voice) Uhhh, what?
When a trans has had the shifts "softened", what that means is the clutch plates are slipping to facilitate a softer shift. Transmission shift kits actually add to transmission life by taking this "slop" out of the shift process.
Also, upping the TCS line pressure in a later 4L60E will accomplish the same result.
FYI, I shift my '96 manually most of the time (with the ASR off, too!), and only let it shift itself if I feel like it.
When a trans has had the shifts "softened", what that means is the clutch plates are slipping to facilitate a softer shift. Transmission shift kits actually add to transmission life by taking this "slop" out of the shift process.
Also, upping the TCS line pressure in a later 4L60E will accomplish the same result.
FYI, I shift my '96 manually most of the time (with the ASR off, too!), and only let it shift itself if I feel like it.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 531
Likes: 0
From: Calgary Alberta
the computer is designed to shift at that rpm under hard acceleration in order to get the most out of that gear, and the next.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,065
Likes: 1
From: Jasper Texas
But he does have a superram, so he is getting some use out of those revs.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
But he does have a superram, so he is getting some use out of those revs.
I get the best 1/4 mile results shifting my L98 close to 6k RPM with a siamese stock intake base and totally stock runners.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 584
Likes: 1
From: Near Lockport NY Black 1986 Coupe
But in all seriousness, it is a pain.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,171
Likes: 1
From: Warwick RI
First open up your console. You may have something down in the shifter that is keeping it from going down to first. I will wait for someone to chime in that has adjusted the stock shifter before, aftermarket shifters have adjustment at the tranny but I can't remember if my stock one did
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,838
Likes: 31
From: Australia
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 305
Likes: 0