Ok to shift gears manually with an A4?

[PrtyBrd94]

I'm just curious about this point. Is there anything wrong with shifting the gears in an automatic, for example, downshifting into curves or to pass. i was just wondering if this damages the tranny or not. thanks in advance.

bill

[PiLOTLiTE]

Shouldn't be a problem, just don't forget to upshift so you don't bang off the rev limiter.

[ May 22, 2002: Message edited by: PiLOTLiTE ]</p>

[PrtyBrd94]

You mean i can't bounce of the rev limiter and sound cool like a civic trying to keep up with an f-body? Darn!!! LOL

[Fusion]

Yeah, I don't believe it does any harm, as long as your not bouncing off the rev limiter. I do that all the time going around curves putting it into second. Also when slowing down fast I downshift into 2nd.

-Jason

[DominusEtDeusNatus]

Why would you want to do it anyway? If you downshift it manually into high RPM, then yes you will damage it. If you don't like it, trade it in for a manual.

[PrtyBrd94]

Thanks. I appreciate the input guys. Helpful as always. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Bill

[99Camaro99]

nah Dom...he's saying if you know you're about to accelerate sharply...why press the gas...and wait and wait...ok now it downshifted and is ready to go.

As soon as I know I'm going to pass someone I downshift it and press teh gas the same time and it just hauls...kinda makes me feel like I'm driving a manual too. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[DominusEtDeusNatus]

I don't think that's too good for the tranny. :cool:

[PrtyBrd94]

But what could it hurt? I mean, the thing shifts about a million times anyway, so what the difference if it makes the decision or i tell to?

[99Camaro99]

downshifting for engine braking...BAD. Dom, my question to you is what's the problem of me shifting it before the computer would normally shift it. I'm just speeding up the whole reaction time. I hate having to hit the gas and wait for the tranny to shift. Just slap the biatch into 2 and floor it at like 50MPH...whoa damn what a feeling. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[PrtyBrd94]

what can be harmed by downshifting to enginebrake? is the worry about the engine or the tranny being hurt?

[Fusion]

I'm Kinda Interested in what Dom is saying, He says it can't be good. Hmm. I seriously do it quite often just cause it is kinda cooler and some people will think I have a manual. [img]smile.gif[/img] Well Dom explain a little more for Us Kids.

[DominusEtDeusNatus]

I did it once. 2-1. Hit maybe 4.5-5K on the downshift. Trans fluid smelled real bad afterwards. And I got some kind of clunking sound on my way home. That's why I will never do it again. I did have my tranny rebuild recently. No way will I risk another $1100.

Plus when you downshift, you have to hit the gas rigth after it changes gears. Why not just hit the gas and have it change gears, instead of change gears and then hit the gas? My downshifts very fast if I have tracion.

Plus if you dont match the RPM by pressing the gas then car is going to slow down real fast.

[ May 23, 2002: Message edited by: Dom ]</p>

[PrtyBrd94]

How about hittin the gas, then shifting right after that. It seems to be quicker, and plus, you can hold the gear long and get a jump off the shifts. I don't see what it hurts as long as you're not hittin 1st at 60. If you know how to drive a manual (working the rpms and everything), then I can't think of why it would hurt. anything for more speed and lower times.

[99Camaro99]

you guys don't worry about it...AS LONG AS you give it WOT or something close to it while downshifting the car manually, you won't have a problem. Downshifting it WITHOUT giving it throttle IS BAD. The highest RPMs I'll ever let it ride down from is 2,500RPMs...and that's usually in a parking lot cuz it draws attention to me and it makes that gurggling, "backfire-type" sound that the old V8s make. [img]smile.gif[/img]