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Old Sep 26, 2023 | 07:11 PM
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I recently discovered this 1,2,3 numbers on the left. This is a automatic C5 but when I tried it out it looks like a 3 speed manual mode. Does it mean that this 1,2,3 numbers can be used as manual mode on my automatic C5??
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Old Sep 26, 2023 | 07:43 PM
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3 speeds and a lockup converter = 4 speeds
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Old Sep 26, 2023 | 07:47 PM
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Agree it is a 4 speed. If you put it in 3 (which is D in other cars), the tranny should shift normally but not go into overdrive (OD). Place in 1 or 2, the tranny should remain in those gears.
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Old Sep 26, 2023 | 11:58 PM
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Originally Posted by 3sACROWD
Agree it is a 4 speed. If you put it in 3 (which is D in other cars), the tranny should shift normally but not go into overdrive (OD). Place in 1 or 2, the tranny should remain in those gears.
Huh? " the tranny should shift normally but not go into overdrive (OD)??
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Old Sep 27, 2023 | 12:08 AM
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In 3 it will not go into 4th which is considered overdrive, but in 3 or D it will downshift to 1 or 2 or 3 depending on speed and engine load.


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Old Sep 27, 2023 | 12:52 AM
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Originally Posted by 3sACROWD
Agree it is a 4 speed. If you put it in 3 (which is D in other cars), the tranny should shift normally but not go into overdrive (OD). Place in 1 or 2, the tranny should remain in those gears.
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Old Sep 27, 2023 | 02:01 AM
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Originally Posted by snaitaz@aol.com
Huh? " the tranny should shift normally but not go into overdrive (OD)??
does that mean I can use it in manual mode?
I can shift it to 2,3 anytime while I’m racing or just race dragging correct?
If I used the 1,2,3 gears.
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Old Sep 27, 2023 | 10:20 AM
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this is pretty standard.
If you put it in 1, it will stay in 1, and not upshift to 2.
You can start in 1, and then shift into 2 ... if the rpms are high enough, the car will shift into 2.
And so on.. if you start the car in "2", the transmission will start in first, then shift to 2 and stay there.

So yes, you can kind of use it in "manual" mode, just realize it's not really manual. What it really gives you if you're using it in drag racing is the ability to upshift at higher rpms -- i.e., hold a lower gear longer.
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Old Sep 27, 2023 | 10:51 AM
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Also note what may work in some cars may not work in others.

Most in 3 will just stay in three. Some will just have an L and that will put you in second gear for low tractions conditions.
Some in a manual mode will down shift if you have not already done it.

Read the owners manual in what ever you are driving as there are a number of things that can happen depending how it is programed.
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Old Sep 27, 2023 | 11:04 AM
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I would be careful doing a bunch of shifting, unless the shift cable bushing have been replaced recently.
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Old Sep 27, 2023 | 12:29 PM
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Originally Posted by killain
3 speeds and a lockup converter = 4 speeds
Lockup converter has nothing to do with number of forward gears. 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th (overdrive) constitute the 4 speeds. A small argument might be made that the lockup converter could constitute another gear, but nobody I've ever discussed this with, or in any of the articles I've read, counts the lockup converter as an extra gear. Actually, any serious drag only car using the 4L60E, 4L60, or 700R4, generally run a non-lockup converter, because it's much lighter than a lockup unit, enables much better throttle response, and wont ruin the transmission due to TCC failures......
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Old Sep 27, 2023 | 12:34 PM
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Originally Posted by JMG2
this is pretty standard.
If you put it in 1, it will stay in 1, and not upshift to 2.
You can start in 1, and then shift into 2 ... if the rpms are high enough, the car will shift into 2.
And so on.. if you start the car in "2", the transmission will start in first, then shift to 2 and stay there.

So yes, you can kind of use it in "manual" mode, just realize it's not really manual. What it really gives you if you're using it in drag racing is the ability to upshift at higher rpms -- i.e., hold a lower gear longer.
On a C5, like many GM models around the 2000 model year, they had a feature called 2nd gear start. For low traction situations. You will find that if you put the trans in 2nd gear at a stop light in a C5, it will leave the stop light in 2nd gear, and stay in 2nd gear......

Last edited by grinder11; Sep 27, 2023 at 01:45 PM.
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Old Sep 27, 2023 | 06:39 PM
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Yeah sure, but once out of 3rd gear and into OD or lockup the car has essentially a sort of 4 gear, but it is only "1 to 1" after the converter is locked up ? It's not a real 4th gear but it is the top radio.
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Old Sep 27, 2023 | 06:47 PM
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I am finding it difficult to see what the question is-

In 3rd, converter locked up it is 1:1.

In 4th, converter locked up it is o.696:1
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Old Sep 28, 2023 | 09:13 AM
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Originally Posted by jim993
I am finding it difficult to see what the question is-

In 3rd, converter locked up it is 1:1.

In 4th, converter locked up it is o.696:1
original question was pretty basic and answered .. we overcomplicated it :-)
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Old Sep 28, 2023 | 11:46 AM
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Originally Posted by JMG2
If you start the car in "2", the transmission will start in first, then shift to 2 and stay there.
If you start moving while the transmission is in "2," it will start in "2." No start in "1."

1,3, and D.........start in 1
2.....starts in 2
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Old Sep 28, 2023 | 12:43 PM
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Originally Posted by hyperv6
Also note what may work in some cars may not work in others.

Most in 3 will just stay in three. Some will just have an L and that will put you in second gear for low tractions conditions.
Some in a manual mode will down shift if you have not already done it.

Read the owners manual in what ever you are driving as there are a number of things that can happen depending how it is programed.
I have never seen a C5 with an "L" on the console....

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Old Sep 28, 2023 | 01:22 PM
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The fact is that the A4 when in 1st will stay in 1st to the rev limit. It will not shift out of 1st.

Same with 2nd.
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