A4 Driving habits
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 18
From: Henderson NV
A4 Driving habits
Do many of you drive your Autos in 3rd gear around town, or always in Overdrive, and does driving in 3rd gear cause any longevity problems within the tranny itself, or is Just lower gas milage the only Ill affect of driving in 3rd.
I understand that driving in Overdrive on the highway is a given.
Thnx
I understand that driving in Overdrive on the highway is a given.
Thnx
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 917
Likes: 0
From: 10.54 @ 129 346 N/A A4 Record 9.78 @ 139+ on 150 shot
I drive in 3rd around town... i had 2:73's and when driving in OD it felt like 1 sec before it would downshift.. driving in 3rd feels more responsive
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,816
Likes: 132
From: Plano TX
I've had several people tell me that its actually better to drive in 3rd around town. I do it too. Driving in 4th or OD in city driving, from what I understand, causes the torque converter too overwork itself at slow speeds in a high gear. This creates heat and longevity problems with the transmissions. I am by no means a transmission expert, it just seems logical. Especially if you have the 2.73 gears.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 23,682
Likes: 9
From: Flagstaff Az.
a4
3rd gear is actually a straight lockup with no reduction or over drive. I guess you could say that this is less wear on the tranny parts. The torque convertor is still being used as it will not lock up at lower around town speeds.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 307
Likes: 0
From: Hobe Sound Fl
I've asked the same question to my friend who owns a tranny shop and builds many high performance trannys, and he said that it is better to drive in 3rd gear around town, less heat and wear and tear on the tranny because the 4L60E locks up in the third gear to the converter. I've been driving it this way for 28,000 miles now and have a Yank SS3600 stall converter and have had no problems at all.
John
John
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Race Director
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,028
Likes: 5
From: Chicago (Naperville) IL
I drive it in 2nd in stop and go traffic, and in 3rd in no traffic under 40 mph. 3.42s with a Yank 2800 TC here.
Ok, now I think I am over maacoman's avatar pic now, maybe not
Ok, now I think I am over maacoman's avatar pic now, maybe not
Last edited by Humy; Mar 10, 2006 at 05:00 PM.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 433
Likes: 0
From: Brookfield WI
I used to just drive in overdrive all the time. After I had some work done to my car what I found was that pressing the accelerator "too far" would cause the car to downshift from 4th to 2nd. The problem was that the engine would rev, the downshift would occur, my rear end would kick out to the right as the tires broke loose. Made a lot of noise and was occasionally uncontrollable for a second or so until the traction control kicked in.
I read quite a few posts where people had similar problems and started driving in 3. Hard downshifts are better, but I also try not to stuff my foot all the way down to the floor.
I read quite a few posts where people had similar problems and started driving in 3. Hard downshifts are better, but I also try not to stuff my foot all the way down to the floor.
