Auto Tranny (A4) Question

[Dominic]

Warning: Driving in 3rd gear for long periods of time will DESTROY your transmission fluid...
If you want to overheat your transmission quickly, do this a lot. Unless you have a separate transmission fluid cooler, DO NOT DRIVE IN 3rd gear when "cruising". The Trans should automatically downshift for you also, there is no REASON to manually downshift for PERFORMANCE REASONS. The reason your auto has a downshift capability is for decending steep grades (i.e. rolling down a mountain). To keep from overheating your brakes, its best to drop the trans in 3rd or 2nd for the short period of time you go downhill and let the engine brake you.

[ February 01, 2002: Message edited by: TheCardinal ]</p>

[RedbirdV6]

Like Card said driving around in 3rd will just destroy the viscosity of your tranny fluid!!!!! It will overheat and break down thus not lubricating like it should and repeating this will eventually destroy your tranny. And I do not think you want to cruz around on the highway running 70@3500 or 4000rpm's anyway

[knowledgefreak]

[img]graemlins/bs.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/bs.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/bs.gif[/img]

I dont believe that for one minute.. How in the hell will driving in 3rd gear destroy your tranny fluid anymore than hammering on the engine or driving?

Ok so lets turn to page 2-31 of our camaro manuals boys and girls
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE
This position is for normal driving. If you need more power for passing, and you're:
Going less than about 35 mhp push your accelerator pedal about halfway down
going about 35 mhp or more, push the accelerator all the way down.

You'll shift down to the next gear and have more power.

DRIVE
This position is also used for normal driving, however, it offers more power and lower fuel economy than AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE
-When driving on hilly, winding roads
-When towing a trailer, so there is less shifting between gears
-When Going down a steep hill

where did you come up with that [img]graemlins/bs.gif[/img] Cardinal and REdbird ??? hmmm???

[ February 01, 2002: Message edited by: knowledgefreak ]</p>

[RedbirdV6]

Hmmmmmm, lets see. Heat will break down the fluid causing it not to do it's job correctly. This is called viscosity breakdown. But don't know why I am waisting my time typing this anyway :rolleyes:

[ February 01, 2002: Message edited by: RedbirdV6 ]</p>

[knowledgefreak]

because there is no difference between 3 and 4 heat that breaks down the fluid is why you should not be typing what causes the break down of fluid.

3 gear will not wear it out any faster than 4 gear the fluid is used alllllllll the time on allllllll the gears no matter.

[RedbirdV6]

Arghhhh, but driving in 3rd will cause more heat to build up, more friction when heat builds and the fluid cannot take extra heat constantly!!!!!! I am done arguing with somebody who is.........well nevermind :rolleyes:

Goodnight, have a nice day [img]smile.gif[/img]

[ February 01, 2002: Message edited by: RedbirdV6 ]</p>

[Dominic]

One of the PRIMARY ways to heat the transmission fluid (as also described in the manual) quickly so you can check your levels IS to drive around in 3rd gear (1:1) instead of overdrive.

More rpms on the gears = more heat. Do this a lot and your little bity tranny cooler won't be able to tackle all the heat. Voila - Tranny a la Flambe! (trans on fire)

It probably wont catch fire (would be funny if it did) but it will cook the fluid more than had you used overdrive.

I'm not saying it WILL harm anything, but don't come running to me if your trans dies 30,000 miles down the road!

[knowledgefreak]

ok i understand that but my point is when your driving around in od and you hammer on it all the time it down shifts to 3rd anyways.

I just dont think it will really make that big of a difference is all. Your going to wear down the viscosity and build up heat faster depending on your style of driving. If you baby it then no worries you dont have to change it as often.

Im not arguing with you that more rpm's equals more heat. That is obvious but my point is that driving around strictly in 3rd gear is not the only method to wear down your fluid just as much.

[Liquid Silver]

I just keep it in OD (D for those with Firebirds out there)... when I am driving normally... however if I am ready to stage for a race or something then I have it in 3rd.

I assume that a shift kit like transgo stage 3 and a high stall converter will eliminate any type of lag or anything like that so if I had those parts installed, then I'd leave her in overdrive all day long (knowing that my shifts will be firmer than Terra Patrick :D because of my aftermarket goodies)

[RacerJ]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by knowledgefreak:
ok i understand that but my point is when your driving around in od and you hammer on it all the time it down shifts to 3rd anyways.<hr></blockquote>

Because when it downshifts during acceleration it stays there for only a very brief (relatively) period of time before reverting back to a lower RPM range (which = less heat). By running in 3rd gear at speeds which the tranny would regularly kick into overdrive (and lower RPMS) for, you are running at those higher RPMs constantly and for extended periods of time, which will begin to wear at parts and break down fluids.

[shortdog273]

Ok people, I just tried running 3rd gear on the highway(about 70mph)and it felt like my car was holding back(like the brakes was sticking or something). Then I put it in the regular drive gear and I felt it kick in and started rollin out again.

[Dominic]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by shortdog273:
Ok people, I just tried running 3rd gear on the highway(about 70mph)and it felt like my car was holding back(like the brakes was sticking or something). Then I put it in the regular drive gear and I felt it kick in and started rollin out again.<hr></blockquote>

You've never driven a manual have you?

[shortdog273]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by TheCardinal:


You've never driven a manual have you?<hr></blockquote>

Nope, LOL don't know how yet.

[shortdog273]

I read some info in the tech section and found out why my car rides slow in 3rd gear on the highway. The 99+ models has some new SGS(second the gear start). It suppose to be some sort of traction control system which answers the question why I have a TCS button in my car. It states that it actually hurts the tranny, because it heat the fluid more due to the torque converter slipping more. I'm gonna turn it off(probably keep it off)and run it in 3rd gear on the highway again.

[ February 02, 2002: Message edited by: shortdog273 ]</p>

[AMinor65]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by shortdog273:
I read some info in the tech section and found out why my car rides slow in 3rd gear on the highway. The 99+ models has some new SGS(second the gear start). It suppose to be some sort of traction control system which answers the question why I have a TCS button in my car. It states that it actually hurts the tranny, because it heat the fluid more due to the torque converter slipping more. I'm gonna turn it off(probably keep it off)and run it in 3rd gear on the highway again.

[ February 02, 2002: Message edited by: shortdog273 ]<hr></blockquote>

You've been riding around with the 2nd gear start button on? Man, you're really gonna notice an accelleration improvement with it off. It's meant to be used for rainy and snowy conditions so you won't spin so much when accellerating from a stop.

[ February 02, 2002: Message edited by: AMinor65 ]</p>