Automatic shift points at low speed
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Joined: Aug 2014
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From: Michigan
Automatic shift points at low speed
Is it common for a C5 to not shift into 2nd gear (automatic trans) "easily" at low speed?
That might not be the right way to describe it but if I am going slow (for example, 5 to 10 mph down my long driveway) from a complete stop it seems like the rpm's get close to 1200 before it shifts to 2nd. My 2007 Grand Prix shifts into 2nd at slow speeds much earlier. Is this just the way the shift points are programmed?
Now, if I am at a stop light and I accelerate in a normal fashion it seems to shift fine with no issues at all. Shifts very smooth actually.
Sorry if I'm not explaining this right. This isn't really a big deal was just wondering if it is common.
Thanks-
That might not be the right way to describe it but if I am going slow (for example, 5 to 10 mph down my long driveway) from a complete stop it seems like the rpm's get close to 1200 before it shifts to 2nd. My 2007 Grand Prix shifts into 2nd at slow speeds much earlier. Is this just the way the shift points are programmed?
Now, if I am at a stop light and I accelerate in a normal fashion it seems to shift fine with no issues at all. Shifts very smooth actually.
Sorry if I'm not explaining this right. This isn't really a big deal was just wondering if it is common.
Thanks-
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
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From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
A LOT goes into when a C5 A4 shifts to the next gear. The PCM actually monitors things like accelerator peddle position, RPM, line pressure, car speed, etc and determines when the trans should shift.
IF,,, you want to customize the shift points and shift feel, you must tune the PCM to change those settings.
Sounds about right to me..
NOTE,,,, Your C5 is NOT a Grand Prix!
It will shift more towards the performance side.
Bill
IF,,, you want to customize the shift points and shift feel, you must tune the PCM to change those settings.
Sounds about right to me..
NOTE,,,, Your C5 is NOT a Grand Prix!
It will shift more towards the performance side. Bill
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From: Michigan
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Joined: Jul 2012
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From: Central PA. - - My AR15 identifies as a muzzleloader
I believe in the Beer Fairy
By 10mph and throttle at an idle, mine has long since shifted to second gear. I'd say I have the exact opposite issue you have, I would prefer mine shifted later. Leaving from a stop, I can't turn and pull out without having it already in second gear, not matter how easy I attempt to leave. It'll shift back down if I stand on it, but it'll virtually never go back into first gear without vacuum dropping to 0.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2014
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From: Michigan
By 10mph and throttle at an idle, mine has long since shifted to second gear. I'd say I have the exact opposite issue you have, I would prefer mine shifted later. Leaving from a stop, I can't turn and pull out without having it already in second gear, not matter how easy I attempt to leave. It'll shift back down if I stand on it, but it'll virtually never go back into first gear without vacuum dropping to 0.
Sometimes when it shifts to 2nd the rpm's are so high relative to the speed I'm going (again, only around 1200 rpm or so but it stays at that level for longer than I'm used to with other vehicles) that the shift feels kind of abrupt. Not always, but sometimes. I've found that if I get up to that 10 mph range faster then the shifting is smoother but if I'm just creeping along that's when I notice the difference.
But, as I said in the op, I can take off from a stop sign and it feels perfectly normal on a very consistent basis. It's just when I'm doing that slow driving...in a driveway, through a parking lot, at the drive thru, etc. My driveway is gravel and can be kinda rough so I try to baby it...
I had an idea that maybe what Bill said had a lot to do with it. He's right - a C5 surely isn't a Grand Prix so it only makes sense that the shift timing would be different...
Last edited by jjaaam; Apr 29, 2015 at 08:32 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2012
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From: Central PA. - - My AR15 identifies as a muzzleloader
I believe in the Beer Fairy
They may vary, I don't know, I've only owned one. But mine, I can tell you that in the driveway (300 yards long), it must be kept in low manually or it'll shift into second. It'll shift at an idle. I want to say the car is bone stock, but I can't know that for sure since I'm not the first owner.
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Joined: Aug 2014
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From: Michigan
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