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I've had my 2016 C7 Z06 since new. This was a factory order. Since I've owned it I've noticed when I go WOT and then decrease my throttle or slow down to stop my transmission gears don't reduce to a lower gear very quickly. To put this in perspective on the freeway I've been in 4th or 5th gear going 70 MPH and it took at least a minute or more for it to go back to the 8th speed. I've even been at complete stops and it was showing I was in 3rd gear. It always corrects itself over time and during normal driving I have no problems. I rarely go Wide Open throttle on this car but this has had this problem for a very long time. The car has approximately 16,000 miles on it. I do have the extended GM warranty on the car for 8 years. Is this normal behavior for this transmission or do I have a problem that needs to be looked at. Transmission fluid is original and I've never had any work done to it before. It feels like my car isn't downshifting properly.
Thanks
Last edited by wonka12_98; Mar 13, 2021 at 11:55 PM.
If I’m reading this correctly you mean it doesn’t UPSHIFT correctly after doing a WOT pull (when it “downshifts”) & then when you let off the gas, it doesn’t UPSHIFT to a higher gear when “cruising” again. I did notice you also said it stays in a higher gear (3rd) when you come to a stop. 👍
If I’m reading this correctly you mean it doesn’t UPSHIFT correctly after doing a WOT pull (when it “downshifts”) & then when you let off the gas, it doesn’t UPSHIFT to a higher gear when “cruising” again. I did notice you also said it stays in a higher gear (3rd) when you come to a stop. 👍
Sorry, it was hard for me to explain this. The gear shifting isn't keeping up with the speed. For example if I'm entering the onramp to the freeway doing a WOT and accelerating fast and eventually come to a normal speed, say 70 MPH, I notice I'm not in the 8 speed and its in a lower gear (Maybe 5th gear). Even though I'm staying at 70 MPH it's taking a very long time for the transmission to get back in the top gear. The same thing happens when I go WOT and stop quickly. It doesn't downshift properly and when I'm going slow or at a stop its at too high of a gear for too long. I don't remember this always doing this but it does it fairly often and has been doing this for a few years.
"I" would do the triple flush. Maybe the fluid is mucked up. I had a C6 automatic and after awhile the trans was just not shifting the way it did so I had the fluid changed and it was back to shifting fine. Oh, it was a 2010 black GS which I'm waxing if you look to the left and it still holds (I was also 'Grand Sport Man' back than) the stock C6 GS 1/4 mile record. So the trans from the factory shifted just fine.
Sorry; just had to post a pic of the GS in action. That's a 4 foot by 8 foot picture of a track burnout which the local drug store would do for you at the time.
Last edited by C7/Z06 Man; Mar 14, 2021 at 02:26 PM.
Sorry, it was hard for me to explain this. The gear shifting isn't keeping up with the speed. For example if I'm entering the onramp to the freeway doing a WOT and accelerating fast and eventually come to a normal speed, say 70 MPH, I notice I'm not in the 8 speed and its in a lower gear (Maybe 5th gear). Even though I'm staying at 70 MPH it's taking a very long time for the transmission to get back in the top gear. The same thing happens when I go WOT and stop quickly. It doesn't downshift properly and when I'm going slow or at a stop its at too high of a gear for too long. I don't remember this always doing this but it does it fairly often and has been doing this for a few years.
Is this new behavior? I don't know how much help a triple flush will do and I haven't heard of transmission fluid causing the car not to shift gears. However, the 2016s can get their transmission tuned by GM. I believe this was to combat overheating, but I think this might be a better solution.
You should try driving in Tour if you're not and see if you really are just activating performance shift mode. Though even when mine activates it won't hold gears for that long.
Is this new behavior? I don't know how much help a triple flush will do and I haven't heard of transmission fluid causing the car not to shift gears. However, the 2016s can get their transmission tuned by GM. I believe this was to combat overheating, but I think this might be a better solution.
You should try driving in Tour if you're not and see if you really are just activating performance shift mode. Though even when mine activates it won't hold gears for that long.
I'm due for an oil change at my dealer so I'm going to ask them to look at this at the same time. I think my Powertrain warranty just expired last month (5 Years?) but I have a GM Platinum extended warranty I bought through Dennis Fichtner that's good until 2024. I assume that would be covered as far as the repair/flush. My dealership told me before that the Chevrolet extended warranties don't cover TSB's.
Last edited by wonka12_98; Mar 14, 2021 at 09:32 PM.
It's normal behavior. After going wot, the computer thinks you want to race and gets you ready for the next turn. It puts the car in the performance shift mode. A triple flush isn't going to make this go away. It's in the manual.
It's normal behavior. After going wot, the computer thinks you want to race and gets you ready for the next turn. It puts the car in the performance shift mode. A triple flush isn't going to make this go away. It's in the manual.
I'd be inclined to believe this is the case if he didn't stay it holds it for a minute or longer. Mine certainly does not hold that long.
Sounds like Performance Mode which is normal when you push it hard in Drive. Try moving over to manual mode and using the paddles. Actually, pretty sure you can shift with the paddles even in Drive. I haven't had an A8 in a couple of years though. Manual is the most fun way to drive.
IMHO, whether the triple flush will fix the "problem" or not, it's a good idea to get it done. Based on my experience performance was improved overall. If he can no longer get it done under warranty, then it's more of a financial decision.
My understanding of the performance shift mode was the the tranny held lower gears for extended periods not that it held higher gears when speed is reduced. Holding higher gears at lower speeds doesn't sound like it would be performance enhancing.
Mine is similar (stays in a lower gear after WOT) IF I am in "Track" mode.
As stated in another post - this is as designed - aggressive driving and the transmission keeps the gear lower in anticipation of more track style driving.
You can always use the right paddle to up-shift to a higher gear (6, 7, 8) if you want.
I like that the A8 doesn't up-shift every chance it gets.
You can always stay in "Tour" mode, and your car should up-shift sooner after WOT. And "Sport" mode is kind of a middle ground.
If you really think you have a problem after these posts describing normal behavior of the A8 - take it to the dealer - although they will probably tell you it is normal.
Automatic Transmission Problem?
