IS it bad to always downshift and upshirt your auto trans like you a 5-speed?

96_4.6 · 09-09-2003, 07:12 PM

Just wondering if its bad. For example, you shirt you automatic from 1 to 2 then to drive and when your slowing down from D you downshift to 2 and then 1. If you do it right does it hurt the tranny. I dont do this all the time but from time to time I just have too, thanks!!

96_4.6 · 09-11-2003, 08:53 PM

Upshift and downshift your auto like a 5-speed I meant

jj_jonathon · 09-11-2003, 11:10 PM

both are horrible to the tranny...but i believe upshifting is the lesser of the two evils in this case...most of the time, automatics shift better when you dont shift them manually anyways...you just cant hold gears (which bugs me too).

96_4.6 · 09-12-2003, 04:40 PM

Yea i have this nasty habit of always starting in 2nd gear and then just upshifting to D everytime and then when I always stop I put the car in Neutral then back to 2nd then drive....Plus another nasty habit is at low speeds when i'm in drive like around 30 i'll downshift into 2nd cause it downshifts and makes that awesome sound, I do that when a Z or corvette is behind me

Rev · 09-12-2003, 05:44 PM

The only real advantage to manually shifting an auto tranny is if you are racing and your car can benefit by a later shift point than the governor in the tranny will allow. With a modified engine with a different power curve, one may wish to shift later to take advantage the higher torque/power peaks.

For example, I shift mine at 5500-6000 rpm. In D my tranny will shift at 4500 rpm. About right when my engine was a stock "C code" 289, but not now.

Rev

ac97gt · 09-13-2003, 05:36 PM

what about ratchet shifters? if this is so horrible for the tranny, why do people put in ratchet shifters to manually shift, or does a ratchet shifter somehow make it ok to shift like this?

Fox Body · 09-14-2003, 12:20 AM

Dude, if you're cruising in 2nd, you're burning up your tranny. Just let the thing shift itself.

RdRunnr · 09-14-2003, 10:04 AM

If you put on a valve body such as the Lentech, it will not harm your transmission one bit.

96_4.6 · 09-14-2003, 09:52 PM

I dont ride in 2nd gear, i was saying off a stop i have it in 2nd til like not even 3000 rpms proberly like 2500, just like a normal shift just a bad habit

09-09-2003, 07:12 PM	#1
96_4.6 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 417	IS it bad to always downshift and upshirt your auto trans like you a 5-speed? Just wondering if its bad. For example, you shirt you automatic from 1 to 2 then to drive and when your slowing down from D you downshift to 2 and then 1. If you do it right does it hurt the tranny. I dont do this all the time but from time to time I just have too, thanks!! __________________ 1996 Mustang GT, AODE -Trickflow Upper Plenum -BBK 70mm Throttlebody -02 PI Lower Intake -March Pulleys -BBK H-Pipe -2 Chamber Flowmaster mufflers -3000 RPM Stall -JLT CAI with special K&N -MSD Supercondutor wires -180 stat -FRPP 4:10's *FOR SALE C&L TRUE FLOW INLET PIPE WITH K&N* My Stang

09-11-2003, 08:53 PM	#2
96_4.6 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 417	Upshift and downshift your auto like a 5-speed I meant __________________ 1996 Mustang GT, AODE -Trickflow Upper Plenum -BBK 70mm Throttlebody -02 PI Lower Intake -March Pulleys -BBK H-Pipe -2 Chamber Flowmaster mufflers -3000 RPM Stall -JLT CAI with special K&N -MSD Supercondutor wires -180 stat -FRPP 4:10's *FOR SALE C&L TRUE FLOW INLET PIPE WITH K&N* My Stang

09-11-2003, 11:10 PM	#3
jj_jonathon Trisket Join Date: May 2002 Location: University of Florida, FL Posts: ½ Posts: 1,560	both are horrible to the tranny...but i believe upshifting is the lesser of the two evils in this case...most of the time, automatics shift better when you dont shift them manually anyways...you just cant hold gears (which bugs me too). __________________ University of Florida - Physics Major My 02GT vert Media Center Pics BBK Underdrive Pulleys \| K&N FIPK (Gen II) \| Bullet Grille \| Mach 1 Chin Spoiler \| UPR Interior Parts \| XM Radio \| Audiobahn Subs Ricer Hater's Club Member #1/2 (30) http://www.ricehatersclub.com/

09-12-2003, 04:40 PM	#4
96_4.6 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 417	Yea i have this nasty habit of always starting in 2nd gear and then just upshifting to D everytime and then when I always stop I put the car in Neutral then back to 2nd then drive....Plus another nasty habit is at low speeds when i'm in drive like around 30 i'll downshift into 2nd cause it downshifts and makes that awesome sound, I do that when a Z or corvette is behind me __________________ 1996 Mustang GT, AODE -Trickflow Upper Plenum -BBK 70mm Throttlebody -02 PI Lower Intake -March Pulleys -BBK H-Pipe -2 Chamber Flowmaster mufflers -3000 RPM Stall -JLT CAI with special K&N -MSD Supercondutor wires -180 stat -FRPP 4:10's *FOR SALE C&L TRUE FLOW INLET PIPE WITH K&N* My Stang

09-12-2003, 05:44 PM	#5
Rev Registered Member Join Date: Nov 1998 Location: Houston, Tx. Posts: 3,887	power shifts The only real advantage to manually shifting an auto tranny is if you are racing and your car can benefit by a later shift point than the governor in the tranny will allow. With a modified engine with a different power curve, one may wish to shift later to take advantage the higher torque/power peaks. For example, I shift mine at 5500-6000 rpm. In D my tranny will shift at 4500 rpm. About right when my engine was a stock "C code" 289, but not now. Rev __________________ '66 Coupe, 306, 350-375 HP, C-4, 13.07 e.t., 104.8 mph, 1/4 mi. O.B.C. #2 '66 coupe

09-13-2003, 05:36 PM	#6
ac97gt Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Virginia (DC) Posts: 232	what about ratchet shifters? if this is so horrible for the tranny, why do people put in ratchet shifters to manually shift, or does a ratchet shifter somehow make it ok to shift like this? __________________ 1997 Mustang GT "Pacific Green" Flowmasters Bassani X w/cats Steeda Triax K&N and Air Intake Silencer Removed More to come with money! My Ride

09-14-2003, 12:20 AM	#7
Fox Body Mustang Maniac Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: GA, U.S.A Posts: 2,266	Dude, if you're cruising in 2nd, you're burning up your tranny. Just let the thing shift itself. __________________ 351W-powered 1979 Ford Mustang Ghia notchback '79 Video @ Idle Stock 5.8L under 4" cowl 'glass hood, C4 w/ Transgo shift kit, Holley 750 cfm, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake; Fluidyne Al radiator, Flexalite 175 electric fan, 1 5/8" MAC shorty headers, FRPP Al driveshaft; S&W 6-point cage; 2.5" Off road H-pipe, 2-chamber Flowmasters, 8.8" Rear w/ 3.55s; Weld wheels (15x6;15x8), Front: 225/60/15, Rear: 275/50/15 Nitto NT 555R Drag Radials; 14 x 4” K&N X-stream air filter. '92 GT (5-speed) Small In Car Video Stock 5.0L, 2-chamber Flowmasters, MAC CAI, Tri-Ax, Al pedals... "Red, thou art my companion. Hasten now your quickened metamorphosis to Green that I may conquer all who dare abide there beside me. May they be left thither behind burnt black." ---Fox Body

09-14-2003, 10:04 AM	#8
RdRunnr Registered Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Newark,DE Posts: 98	If you put on a valve body such as the Lentech, it will not harm your transmission one bit. __________________ Eric 1990 Mustang GT 10.46 @130.97 ClickClickracing Forums

09-14-2003, 09:52 PM	#9
96_4.6 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 417	I dont ride in 2nd gear, i was saying off a stop i have it in 2nd til like not even 3000 rpms proberly like 2500, just like a normal shift just a bad habit __________________ 1996 Mustang GT, AODE -Trickflow Upper Plenum -BBK 70mm Throttlebody -02 PI Lower Intake -March Pulleys -BBK H-Pipe -2 Chamber Flowmaster mufflers -3000 RPM Stall -JLT CAI with special K&N -MSD Supercondutor wires -180 stat -FRPP 4:10's *FOR SALE C&L TRUE FLOW INLET PIPE WITH K&N* My Stang