A4 Transmission
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,385
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From: Campbell CA
Shouldn't hurt it. When in "3" the car actually acts like an auto tranny from 1 to 3, then doesn't progress to overdrive. It's a lot more fun, especially around town. For long haul driving at highway speed the D will give you better gas mileage.
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Joined: Feb 2004
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From: HOW FAST WAS I GOING OFFICER? Los Angeles Hating GM Dealership Service Dept.'s Since Sept. 2004
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by GOZ2FST
Shouldn't hurt it. When in "3" the car actually acts like an auto tranny from 1 to 3, then doesn't progress to overdrive. It's a lot more fun, especially around town. For long haul driving at highway speed the D will give you better gas mileage.
what he said... 
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Winchester TN
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'11
Hi grandaddy -
I asked Rodney (RPM Trans) about this -
He said wear on a transmission comes from the shifts - so if you run around town and it is constantly going into od and out of od, I would guess that THAT is more wear on the trans - I usually run our auto in 3 around town and only put it in od if I know it will stay there for a while.
best regards -
mqqn
I asked Rodney (RPM Trans) about this -
He said wear on a transmission comes from the shifts - so if you run around town and it is constantly going into od and out of od, I would guess that THAT is more wear on the trans - I usually run our auto in 3 around town and only put it in od if I know it will stay there for a while.
best regards -
mqqn
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Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Newberry FL
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St. Jude Donor '07
Here is my take on this, seeing how I am getting ready to replace my TC and tranny with one of Rodney's (RPM) Stage Iv setups. I am running a head and cam powered car, wtih the DYNATECH setup (HF Cats) and a complete intake setup. I was a shifting sort of guy, using first and second at times and down shifting for the "wow" affect. My car has some pretty serious rwhp and tq, but I think what killed my tranny was the downshift into second and then down to first and starting in first more often than I should. I am sure that with my new tranny, it will support this a lot more. I drive around town in stop and go traffic in third and will continue that. Don't see the point in going into overdrive at 40 mph.
The A4 is the weakest link on our cars, but that doesn't mean we can't still have fun and I can't wait until I get Rodney's tranny in my car. Should be ready on Friday with the new TC and fluids.
Christmas comes with a price and early for me this year.!
Micah
The A4 is the weakest link on our cars, but that doesn't mean we can't still have fun and I can't wait until I get Rodney's tranny in my car. Should be ready on Friday with the new TC and fluids.
Christmas comes with a price and early for me this year.! Micah
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,385
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From: Campbell CA
Originally Posted by DAVS Y2K
Should have no problem taking it up to around 130-140 in 3rd gear.
Not that I've ever done this.
Not that I've ever done this.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2006
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From: Palmdale, Ca----- 2009 Cyber Gray 4LT A6 F55 452 RWHP 422 RWTQ- RIP 1998 C5 734 RWHP & 585 RWTQ-----
Originally Posted by grandaddy
Does it harm the tranny if you run in 3rd as opposed to the overdrive (D)? I know the engine rpm's are up, but the acceleration seems better. Looking for some advice.
Thanks,Matt
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From: Newberry FL
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
I am certain that when I do get my car back (in the shop getting a tranny built by Rodney), that I will be using drive more often and only using third when I am drag racing the car or needing a little extra something on the street (rarely in these parts).
Micah
Micah
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Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Arlington TX
shifting speed
Originally Posted by GOZ2FST
92mph in 2nd gear makes the rev limiter kick in. Or so I've heard...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
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Originally Posted by mph1972
but I think what killed my tranny was the downshift into second and then down to first and starting in first more often than I should.
Micah
Micah
I don't want to know what a blown tranny will cost, I am sure I can't afford to blow this tranny 
Still paying for mistakes I made back in my Camaro days
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Newberry FL
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
Originally Posted by VetteLag00
I think thats what killed my Camaro. I use 3 getting on the highway and cruise in OD. Even getting off the highway or cruising on a country road to slow down for a corner I really don't like to downshift hard. I hate speeding back up in a higher gear but oh well, next car (c6) is either paddle shift or MN6, prolblem solved I don't want to know what a blown tranny will cost, I am sure I can't afford to blow this tranny Still paying for mistakes I made back in my Camaro days
I don't want to know what a blown tranny will cost, I am sure I can't afford to blow this tranny Still paying for mistakes I made back in my Camaro days