Does it harm a car to manually shift the gears on an automatic? I like to have control over the gears, so that's how I do it most of the time. I've been told that it's fine to do it like that, but I wanted to be sure before I tear my car up :]
2006-10-30 16:57:54 · 14 answers · asked by BoldAsLove 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
If it is bad for the car, then why does the shifter have all the gears on it, including drive?
2006-10-30 17:08:27 · update #1
First of all, manually shifting an automatic transmission is not exceptionally hard on the unit. In fact, many carmakers today offer some type of manual control for their automatics. Examples include VW's "Tiptronic" and Chrysler's "slap stick." These electronic control systems give the driver the option of manual up/downshifting, or allowing the powertrain control module to handle the shifting chores for them in a fully automatic mode. There are several fail-safes in the system, such as automatic downshifts if you forget to do so, but from a fun factor point of view, moving the shift lever into the manual slot and bumping the lever forward to upshift and snicking it back to downshift can add measurably to the enjoyment of the driving experience. In light of today's congestion and frustration, shifting the transmission manually might help restore some of the enthusiasm for driving.
Even though your automobile might not have specific manual control mode, I'm sure it does have the conventional "PRND2L" selector, allowing you to up and downshift manually. If you enjoy doing so, by all means shift manually.
Are manual downshifts harmful to the transmission or drivetrain? The PCM won't allow a premature downshift that would over-rev the engine, but obviously, banging the shifter into the next lower gear forcing the engine to rev to high rpm isn't doing anything much good. And remember, the PCM will downshift the transmission automatically when speed or rpm drop below a specific point, or you step on the throttle to accelerate -- so the downshift is going to happen, one way or the other.
If you're downshifting at the same speed and rpm you would choose to do so with a fully manual transmission and it adds to your pleasure in driving, then by all means continue to do so.
2006-10-30 17:27:14 · answer #1 · answered by Jeremy 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Automatic With Manual Shift
2016-12-30 09:12:03 · answer #2 · answered by wessling 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some manuals of automatic transmission cars state at which speed it is safe to shift the transmission into a lower gear. This is usually in the section that deals with the shift lever itself, where it describes all the gears PRND4321 etc. It might say "2 is for driving in slippery conditions or going up hills and should not be engaged over speeds of 35 mph" and the speed is much lower for shifting into 1st gear, 15 mph or so. The point is you don't want to rev high like the other answers said. Or as it's called by truckers "engine braking". It's bad on the transmission and probably the engine as well.
2015-11-09 17:44:56 · answer #3 · answered by Ricky 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most automatic transmissions have computers in place that will override a manual shift if its bad for the car. I'd recommend not shifting the automatic. If you really want to control the gears then buy a manual. And no it shouldn't hurt it if you shift it manual in most situations. If you're shifting from first to second instead of just leaving it in drive at a stop light it doesn't make much sense. If you're down shifting to decelerate on a steep grade then it makes a little sense.
2006-10-30 17:09:06 · answer #4 · answered by stezus 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Automatic Transmission Shifter
2016-10-02 07:54:24 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
drive an automatic the way it's supposed to be driven. if you want more control, buy a stick shift car. That's why I drive a manual, cuz i like control...but you can't drive an automatic like that. You'll ruin the transmission, which costs way more than a manual. get the 5-6 speeed next time!
2006-10-30 17:01:21 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 4⤋
Only listen to the guy in the best answer. I worked for a car dealer and studied my cars very well. You absolutely can shift an automatic, and not just tiptronics, without harming the car BUT only if you do so correctly. Sure cars downshift on their own and so does tiptronic, but you still need to shift into next gear correctly and like he said you can't jam it into lower gear and expect it to be fine. Maybe newer tips do the work for you if you don't, but the ones I've experienced you need to do the upshift correctly for sure. Basically, don't do it if you don't know what you're doing, otherwise go ahead.
2013-11-15 15:42:27 · answer #7 · answered by Jamie D 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is recommended to let the tranny shift itself, due to the pressures in the pump verses the speed of the car, you can however, use the tranny to slow down, like in slick conditions.....by manually shifting you could exceed the rpm recommended by the mfg, for the speed you are traveling .best to let it do it's job
2006-10-30 18:00:01 · answer #8 · answered by millisec 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Don't do it. Automatic transmissions are not designed for that.
2006-10-30 17:00:22 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋
The gears are there for engine braking when you're going down a hill.
2013-11-11 14:19:46 · answer #10 · answered by Taeyeon 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋