Boy, ain't that the truth!
A4 trans 2nd gear
Team Owner
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 23,480
Likes: 9
From: East Meadow NY
St. Jude Donor '12
Originally Posted by billiardcue
Is there a way mechanically or electronically to make an A4 trans use both 1st and 2nd gear when the shift lever in the 2 position?
Chris
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,613
Likes: 0
From: Spring Tx
Why? There is no one forcing you to use it. It was designed that way for a purpose and that is to allow you a higher starting gear to negotiate ice or snow, if you don't need it , dont use it.I'm beginning to wonder if an IQ test shouldn't be required before you are allowed to purchase a Corvette.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,466
Likes: 0
From: GARDENA Ca, State Of Konfusion
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by lost
Why? There is no one forcing you to use it. It was designed that way for a purpose and that is to allow you a higher starting gear to negotiate ice or snow, if you don't need it , dont use it.I'm beginning to wonder if an IQ test shouldn't be required before you are allowed to purchase a Corvette.
Last edited by WALLstAL; Aug 20, 2005 at 05:16 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 455
Likes: 11
From: Roanoke VA
Originally Posted by lost
Why? There is no one forcing you to use it. It was designed that way for a purpose and that is to allow you a higher starting gear to negotiate ice or snow, if you don't need it , dont use it.I'm beginning to wonder if an IQ test shouldn't be required before you are allowed to purchase a Corvette.
I fully understand the reasoning by GM as to why the transmission works the way it does but it does not suit my driving habits or desires and I would prefer to change it. This is no different than the thousands of other Corvette owners that modify their fine automobiles to suit their particular needs and or desires.
To clarify:
(a.) I solo 2 autocross and most courses require a shift to second gear and back to first one or more times during the run, life would be simpler if the transmission did this on its own.
(b.) My daily driving consists of many miles on winding mountain roads and second gear is my gear of choice for this type of driving. Having the car downshift to first on its own when I come to a complete stop again makes life simpler and I believe it is easier on the transmission if I fail to put it into third or first before I resume moving.
Thanks in advance to anyone with an intelligent answer to my question.
Dick Abbott
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 836
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs, Colo., USA
Originally Posted by lost
Why? There is no one forcing you to use it. It was designed that way for a purpose and that is to allow you a higher starting gear to negotiate ice or snow, if you don't need it , dont use it.I'm beginning to wonder if an IQ test shouldn't be required before you are allowed to purchase a Corvette.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,613
Likes: 0
From: Spring Tx
Sorry if I insulted you, I told you why GM designed it that way. I use my auto like its a stick , also autocross, somehow I adjusted to this little quirk. wait till next year and the paddle shifted 6 speed auto, without a torque converter. That's right no high rpm torque converters for the dragstrip addicts, some people may actually have to learn how to drive.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 836
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs, Colo., USA
Originally Posted by lost
Sorry if I insulted you, I told you why GM designed it that way. I use my auto like its a stick , also autocross, somehow I adjusted to this little quirk. wait till next year and the paddle shifted 6 speed auto, without a torque converter. That's right no high rpm torque converters for the dragstrip addicts, some people may actually have to learn how to drive.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 455
Likes: 11
From: Roanoke VA
Originally Posted by lost
Sorry if I insulted you, I told you why GM designed it that way. I use my auto like its a stick , also autocross, somehow I adjusted to this little quirk. wait till next year and the paddle shifted 6 speed auto, without a torque converter. That's right no high rpm torque converters for the dragstrip addicts, some people may actually have to learn how to drive.
Dick Abbott
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,814
Likes: 1
From: FT Lewis WA
Originally Posted by lost
Why? There is no one forcing you to use it. It was designed that way for a purpose and that is to allow you a higher starting gear to negotiate ice or snow, if you don't need it , dont use it.I'm beginning to wonder if an IQ test shouldn't be required before you are allowed to purchase a Corvette.
I can see why your username is "lost" since your certainly lost on good manners. Evidently your not enjoying retirement 
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,613
Likes: 0
From: Spring Tx
Sorry if I pissed some of you off, but i've got a pulled ACL, can't work on my car , barely can walk around, so I'm not a happy camper.I know I shouldn't let my pain effect my responses on a forum and if you check my past posts you will find that I am most often polite and helpful,but the past month or so has been very difficult. Taking off in second gear will not hurt the tranny, although quite embarrassing when you do it at the strip.2.60 60 foots make for crappy times.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,814
Likes: 1
From: FT Lewis WA
Originally Posted by lost
Sorry if I pissed some of you off, but i've got a pulled ACL, can't work on my car , barely can walk around, so I'm not a happy camper.I know I shouldn't let my pain effect my responses on a forum and if you check my past posts you will find that I am most often polite and helpful,but the past month or so has been very difficult. Taking off in second gear will not hurt the tranny, although quite embarrassing when you do it at the strip.2.60 60 foots make for crappy times.
Pulled ACL? Damn, that sux. I guess you had your knee evaluated by an Orthropod, right? If so, glad your anterior cruciate ligament is not torn. A torn ACL would require surgical reconstruction. Plus, at least 4 weeks of knee immobilization, followed by passive, then active rehab for at least 6 months.
Hope your healing process goes well. BTW, your explanatory post is the first step towards recovery of your previous acts of transference.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 26,345
Likes: 232
From: SoCal
I guess your not going to get any technical help to your question.
I have no use for 2nd gear starts here in southern california.
And I use the 2nd position at the track and canyon runs to keep rpms/torque high without having the tranny shift into 3rd. In those infrequent times when I get speed down too low I will either drop it into 1st or up to 3rd depending on whats ahead. If I am in total crazed out racing mode I may manually shift 1st to 2nd then to 3rd and drop down to 2nd as necessary. I don't find too may situations when I come to a complete stop in second.
I know this is not an answer just my observations as a fellow A4 inthusiast. And don't forget you gotta give up something....you don't want a M6 do ya????
DH
I have no use for 2nd gear starts here in southern california.
And I use the 2nd position at the track and canyon runs to keep rpms/torque high without having the tranny shift into 3rd. In those infrequent times when I get speed down too low I will either drop it into 1st or up to 3rd depending on whats ahead. If I am in total crazed out racing mode I may manually shift 1st to 2nd then to 3rd and drop down to 2nd as necessary. I don't find too may situations when I come to a complete stop in second.
I know this is not an answer just my observations as a fellow A4 inthusiast. And don't forget you gotta give up something....you don't want a M6 do ya????
DH
