Do you manually change gears while driving?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 357
Likes: 0
From: Pas de Calais
Do you manually change gears while driving?
Hi,
I am Cedric from France.
I have had my 1999 c5 convertible auto for a few weeks now and it is just great fun as we don't see too many of them in France. Really a great car.
If I want to find a weak point on this car, I would say "auto gearbox".
I have a question about the automatic gear box: do you shift gears while driving?
I like to do so when on a roundabout to be sure not to kickdown in the middle of the curve, or when going through a set of many quick stiff turns. The kickdown on this car is very violent and you loose grip when the power gets strong in a curve.
I also like to go D to 3 to 2 when decelerating (saves brakes).
My question: do you do this? Is it bad for the gearbox?
Thanks.
I am Cedric from France.
I have had my 1999 c5 convertible auto for a few weeks now and it is just great fun as we don't see too many of them in France. Really a great car.
If I want to find a weak point on this car, I would say "auto gearbox".
I have a question about the automatic gear box: do you shift gears while driving?
I like to do so when on a roundabout to be sure not to kickdown in the middle of the curve, or when going through a set of many quick stiff turns. The kickdown on this car is very violent and you loose grip when the power gets strong in a curve.
I also like to go D to 3 to 2 when decelerating (saves brakes).
My question: do you do this? Is it bad for the gearbox?
Thanks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,460
Likes: 16
From: hamilton alabama
i do it in mine but not often. i do not know if its good or bad for it but assume its more towards the bad side hence why i rarely do it. usually from overdrive to drive or drive to 2nd at the most
Pro
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 505
Likes: 0
From: tyler tx
I do it a lot. I don't shift to OD until I'm up above 55. I keep it in 3 and if I'm putting along at 30 or so, I pull it down to 2.
If I'm at a light and I'm want to 'feel the power', I pull it down in 1 and shift manually. It's not quite as exhilarating as a 6 speed, but it does make it more fun.
Always pull it out of OD when you are gonna play. You don't want it to downshift out of OD under a lot of power.
If I'm at a light and I'm want to 'feel the power', I pull it down in 1 and shift manually. It's not quite as exhilarating as a 6 speed, but it does make it more fun.
Always pull it out of OD when you are gonna play. You don't want it to downshift out of OD under a lot of power.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,506
Likes: 0
From: This is not a Song, It's an Outburst: Or, The Establishment Blues; Sixto Diaz Rodriguez
Sometimes I'll go through my sub-division in 1st/2nd, there's a couple of kids who loves to hear the growl when I pass by....
so I bump it up a bit for them, if they are outside 
, otherwise it's mostly 3rd/OD, unless I want to play with it. 
so I bump it up a bit for them, if they are outside , otherwise it's mostly 3rd/OD, unless I want to play with it.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 357
Likes: 0
From: Pas de Calais
Ok. I understand.
I would mainly use 2 when going through lots of small and stiff curves. And we have a lot in France! Being sure that the car will stay in 2 and not switch to 3 or worst, suddenly kickdown and brutally send power allows to control the grip and play with the adherence limit.
I am also thinking about a custom gearbox programing (not sure about translation) to give it a more modern "management". Any experience here?
I would mainly use 2 when going through lots of small and stiff curves. And we have a lot in France! Being sure that the car will stay in 2 and not switch to 3 or worst, suddenly kickdown and brutally send power allows to control the grip and play with the adherence limit.
I am also thinking about a custom gearbox programing (not sure about translation) to give it a more modern "management". Any experience here?
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 192
Likes: 8
Hi,
I am Cedric from France.
I have had my 1999 c5 convertible auto for a few weeks now and it is just great fun as we don't see too many of them in France. Really a great car.
If I want to find a weak point on this car, I would say "auto gearbox".
I have a question about the automatic gear box: do you shift gears while driving?
I like to do so when on a roundabout to be sure not to kickdown in the middle of the curve, or when going through a set of many quick stiff turns. The kickdown on this car is very violent and you loose grip when the power gets strong in a curve.
I also like to go D to 3 to 2 when decelerating (saves brakes).
My question: do you do this? Is it bad for the gearbox?
Thanks.
I am Cedric from France.
I have had my 1999 c5 convertible auto for a few weeks now and it is just great fun as we don't see too many of them in France. Really a great car.
If I want to find a weak point on this car, I would say "auto gearbox".
I have a question about the automatic gear box: do you shift gears while driving?
I like to do so when on a roundabout to be sure not to kickdown in the middle of the curve, or when going through a set of many quick stiff turns. The kickdown on this car is very violent and you loose grip when the power gets strong in a curve.
I also like to go D to 3 to 2 when decelerating (saves brakes).
My question: do you do this? Is it bad for the gearbox?
Thanks.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 357
Likes: 0
From: Pas de Calais
Well no. I like automatic gearboxes I would go for manual if I want to do lots of track. Auto gear box is nice for my convertible.
But I am sure this auto gear box can be better than it is.
But I am sure this auto gear box can be better than it is.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,506
Likes: 0
From: This is not a Song, It's an Outburst: Or, The Establishment Blues; Sixto Diaz Rodriguez
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 9,987
Likes: 25
From: If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door. South West Florida / Livin' The Dream
St. Jude Donor '12
I have a different opinion. Upgrade your gearing to at least 3:42's, install a performance converter and increase your line pressure on your A4. I used to do the shifting / downshifting to get the power thrill, however it is no longer necessary. tons of power to the wheels and firm, crisp shifts by the A4
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 336
Likes: 0
From: Pine Colorado
I agree, get a corvettes with a M6 tranny. Since 1960, all my corvettes have been stick shift - no autos for me. The 54 was an auto, but then it was the only way it came. Had one 3 speed (1956), but changed it out for a 4 speed.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 45,000
Likes: 585
Ok. I understand.
I would mainly use 2 when going through lots of small and stiff curves. And we have a lot in France! Being sure that the car will stay in 2 and not switch to 3 or worst, suddenly kickdown and brutally send power allows to control the grip and play with the adherence limit.
I am also thinking about a custom gearbox programing (not sure about translation) to give it a more modern "management". Any experience here?
I would mainly use 2 when going through lots of small and stiff curves. And we have a lot in France! Being sure that the car will stay in 2 and not switch to 3 or worst, suddenly kickdown and brutally send power allows to control the grip and play with the adherence limit.
I am also thinking about a custom gearbox programing (not sure about translation) to give it a more modern "management". Any experience here?
