Using Auto as a Manual!

[OZFORDAU]

I strarted using the auto as a manual, like start in 1st, then 2nd, then 3rd and finally drive (which is 4th)

Will this wreck anything in the car?

Cheers

Simon

[eXi7w0unD]

lol, i dont really see the point beside the car reving higher if you dont change to next gear.

its basically 1st gear means it will only use 1 gear,
2nd gear will use both 1st and 2nd gear
3rd gear will use 1st 2nd and 3rd gear whilst driving
and d will use all 4..

i change to lower gears when going down a hill when i cbf using breaks much. heavy engine breaking it is. i wonder if this hurts the car?

[Mack 6]

I do it all the time to help me slowing and to time the changes when "I" want them to change.
No prbs, although occasionally when I go from 3-4 at speed, the thing gets a little mixed up and the overdrive kicks down for a sec. Back off and it changes up no probs.

[EA2BA]

Its the whole reason why I fitted the BA shifter, so I could do it all the time easily

[OZFORDAU]

Originally Posted by EA2BA

Its the whole reason why I fitted the BA shifter, so I could do it all the time easily

How much did that cost?

And can i change the gears down? Like from drive to 3rd, 2nd and 1st

Cheers

Simon

[DOC]

Originally Posted by OZFORDAU

I strarted using the auto as a manual, like start in 1st, then 2nd, then 3rd and finally drive (which is 4th)
Will this wreck anything in the car?
Cheers
Simon

Have always driven auto's as a manual, to help protect the box, dont over stretch the gears before moving up ( unless your having some real fun :voldar02: ) and when shifting down common sense prevails, dont throw them down if your rev range is to high, keep it in sync with the motor.

if coming down hard use the brakes with the down shift to avoid / lessen drive line shunt. i.e apply the brakes as per normal , when revs speed right throw it down.

by doing this there should be no shunt at all with practice

this applies to both the older and BA style shifts.

[EA2BA]

second hand shifter is about $150 and about $200 for electronics, make a bracket and have a good day, click the link in my sig for further details

yes you can change up and down the gears, JC has put one in is AU thread somewhere too.

[TheSneakiness]

Originally Posted by DOC

Have always driven auto's as a manual, to help protect the box

How would it do that?

[DOC]

Originally Posted by AUII_SE_Ute

How would it do that?

Been a long day ? what do you mean how ? as above ?
edit
in theory your manually changing a little above or below where the normal changes would take place if in auto mode

dont over stretch the gears before moving up ( unless your having some real fun ) and when shifting down common sense prevails, dont throw them down if your rev range is to high, keep it in sync with the motor.

if coming down hard use the brakes with the down shift to avoid / lessen drive line shunt. i.e apply the brakes as per normal , when revs speed right throw it down.

by doing this there should be no shunt at all with practice

this applies to both the older and BA style shifts.

[TheSneakiness]

Should've made myself clearer...

How does manually shifting an auto box help protect it?

[DOC]

Originally Posted by AUII_SE_Ute

Should've made myself clearer...

How does manually shifting an auto box help protect it?

Ok, see your Q clear, i think i may have written things wrong / read wrong. im not saying it helps to protect the box by going manual, what i refered to is if your manually changing to help protect the box etc. sorry like i said long day my fault.

[TheSneakiness]

Oh, oh.

So you meant if your manually changing the auto, here's some pointers to help protect the box.

[DOC]

Originally Posted by AUII_SE_Ute

Oh, oh.

So you meant if your manually changing the auto, here's some pointers to help protect the box.

LOL can call them what ever, no real drama's been doing it for 20 years + and never lost a box yet, so not sure how to label it ?

all good :sm_headba

[Racecraft]

Originally Posted by AUII_SE_Ute

Oh, oh.

So you meant if your manually changing the auto, here's some pointers to help protect the box.

.. By manually holding and selecting the gears it actually locks the bands on in that gear.. Thus saving wear on the frictions. That is how it was explained to me anyway

[TheSneakiness]

Originally Posted by Racecraft

.. By manually holding and selecting the gears it actually locks the bands on in that gear.. Thus saving wear on the frictions. That is how it was explained to me anyway

Wasn't anything mentioned about exploding auto trans fluid pumps was there?

[JC]

I use mine manually. The ESS as fitted to auto T series cars, and the SSS fitted to BAs proves that the practice is valid, IMO. I will be fitting the ESS to my XR8 as soon it is ready to go (a month or so, I guess). The BA shifter into the AU was a huge success - until I melted through the shifter cable with the extractors - I should have used a heat shield, but thought I'd get away without it. Total cost was around $150 for shifter mechanism, $200 for electronics, plus 12 hours to fit!

[ClassicAU]

so why does my trans stink every time i start playing with the gears? it doesnt smell when i boot it in drive. if it somehow helps it, wouldnt it not smell no matter what? maybe mines a dud :P

[The Monty]

I use mine all the time. I like holding it in first till about 40 in first in the wet, and then letting her rip. AAnd overtaking on the highway, back to 2nd for a sec before booting it gives a lot better response.

[dvk]

But booting it throws it back to second anyway?! :S

I don't constantly drive mine like a manual, but I definitely do make use of the lower gears when climing steep hills, or when descending to avoid riding the breaks excessively.

It has been said many times by people I know that changing to anything but 1st while going is fine. Apparantly 1st should only be selected if stopped or at a slow crawl. Seems to make sense...

And Monty, you are smarter than me . Only because I did 2nd at 80 in the wet....and well.....heh. That was interesting. I *really* need new tyres. My friends cringe every time the rear end tries to step out now even when cornering at normal speed....

[Mechan1k]

I drive it like a manual when driving under load (towing or heavy ute loads)
Oh ... you can easily fit 12 kegs of beer from Tooheys standing up in the back of the ute as well ... tests the suspension a bit ... sorry .... no photos .. I was not allowed to take a photo with my mobile phone either ... grrrr.

But I do use the auto manually when shifting down ... also under load when shifting up ... i just get it to hold each gear longer when having to take it easier ... like yesterday afternoon with the 12 full kegs onboard.

[xr8ute]

I almost always select gears manually driving an auto. I don't have to wait for it to kick down when accelerating out of a corner, and I don't have to wonder what it's going to do when driving in the wet.

I wish I had a clutch for first gear though so I could get off the line a bit quicker when I want too :P

[stiddy]

Originally Posted by xr8ute

I almost always select gears manually driving an auto. I don't have to wait for it to kick down when accelerating out of a corner, and I don't have to wonder what it's going to do when driving in the wet.

I wish I had a clutch for first gear though so I could get off the line a bit quicker when I want too :P

stally will fix that :P do it! lol

[KEV EB XR8]

Originally Posted by xr8ute

I almost always select gears manually driving an auto. I don't have to wait for it to kick down when accelerating out of a corner, and I don't have to wonder what it's going to do when driving in the wet.

I wish I had a clutch for first gear though so I could get off the line a bit quicker when I want too :P

Very interesting......
Just had a shift kit installed and "wow" but i havent tried it manually off the mark , by what i read of the electronic kit it speeds up line pressure but im sure i read it locks the thing up quicker as well ?

[xr8ute]

Originally Posted by stiddy

stally will fix that :P do it! lol

You know i want too. These 2.1x second 60' times are killing me

But I also want a GnD airbox, custom tune...run a 13, and then fit the blower.

And i need 4 new tyres, a non-vibrating tailshaft, and a new steering rack.

My wallet is just too small at the moment...lol

Originally Posted by KEV EB XR8

Just had a shift kit installed and "wow" but i havent tried it manually off the mark , by what i read of the electronic kit it speeds up line pressure but im sure i read it locks the thing up quicker as well ?

I love my shiftkit (fully adjustable one). It's been switched on for the last 60,000-odd Km's without any dramas, it only gets turned off in the wet.

[ClassicAU]

Originally Posted by xr8ute

I love my shiftkit (fully adjustable one). It's been switched on for the last 60,000-odd Km's without any dramas, it only gets turned off in the wet.

good idea that one, i blew the head gasket in my old EA getting too excited in the wet with a shift kit. it clicked straight up into 3rd, 160km/h indicated speed, but i wouldnt have actually moved more than a meter! :

[Mechan1k]

Originally Posted by xr8ute

a non-vibrating tailshaft, and a new steering rack.

I am after these as well.

[chief]

I drive mine as a manual under load, or having the occasional bit of fun. If you want to drive your auto as a manual, I think a tranny cooler would be a good idea. Last time I drove my wagon around as a manual the centre consol became hot. So it is probablly recommended that you fit one.