Manual Shifting an Automatic

[eightnine]

I've always thought that manual shifting my automatic transmission (starting in Lowrange then shifting to 2nd then to Drive) can cause damage to it but recently iv been having an arguement at work about it and my buddy says that it doesnt damage anything at all. If anyone can clear this up for me id appreciate it. Thanks

 

[TechWrench]

As long as you don't allow the engine to over-rev by holding a gear too long, it shouldn't cause any damage to the trans. In most cases, unless because of towing or steep inclines, it is usually better to let the trans do the shifting. You will generally get better gas mileage, and have less 'work' to do.

 

[eightnine]

As long as you don't allow the engine to over-rev by holding a gear too long, it shouldn't cause any damage to the trans. In most cases, unless because of towing or steep inclines, it is usually better to let the trans do the shifting. You will generally get better gas mileage, and have less 'work' to do.

Yea its just that sometimes its funner to shift for a change lol.. But i gota learn how to time it cus it doesnt shift immediatley.. like if i shift normally by the time the transmissions shifts im already redlineing it (my hearing since i have no tach)

 

[Jacobzky]

just dont over-rev

may i ask, why do you want to manual shift an auto tranny?
i do manually downshift if necessary.

 

[eightnine]

Re: just dont over-rev

may i ask, why do you want to manual shift an auto tranny?
i do manually downshift if necessary.

this may sound stupid to you, but most of the time the automatic tranny shifts the truck to second so quick that it gives slows the truck down because it doesnt let the engine rev enough (if that makes any sense) When i manually shift i shift a little later (not redlining it) giving it more of a push. I dont always do it i just do it when i want a good start at a light for whatever reason. hope that made any sense at al haha

 

[pipspeak]

I tend to downshift manually on a steep or long decline simply to get better engine braking and save riding the brakes down the hill... this tends to result in the engine revving more than would be normal in automatic shifting (never higher than about 3K rpm tho) but I've never been told that this is a problem.

So I assume doing it the other way round is not a problem either. The tranny computer might get frustrated tho.

 

[Jacobzky]

i wonder if anything can be done through the ecu to change the behavior of the transmission to upshift at a little higher rpm. any thoughts? experts out there?

 

[boston_kevin]

i wonder if anything can be done through the ecu to change the behavior of the transmission to upshift at a little higher rpm. any thoughts? experts out there?

Yes, this should be an ECU setting which can be programmed for more aggressive shift points versus the stock. Unfortunately I doubt you would find many dealers willing to do this reprogramming, especially during the warranty period.

 

[Kmvreter]

Yes, this should be an ECU setting which can be programmed for more aggressive shift points versus the stock. Unfortunately I doubt you would find many dealers willing to do this reprogramming, especially during the warranty period.

I think you can "program" it yourself just by your driving habits. The tranny and engine ECU has a "learn" capability that constantly takes into account driving habits and style. Drive more aggresively to bump up the shift points and it will remember this over a short period of time. Problem is that you would have to drive this way all the time (not always possible in traffic) or it will relearn itself. There might be aftermarket chips to make the change a permanent mod but your mileage will suffer.

 

[GatorGreg]

I've always thought that manual shifting my automatic transmission (starting in Lowrange then shifting to 2nd then to Drive) can cause damage to it but recently iv been having an arguement at work about it and my buddy says that it doesnt damage anything at all. If anyone can clear this up for me id appreciate it. Thanks

What does the owner's manual say if anything? If it says you can do it without any warnings about damage then I don't think it should be a problem. I don't have my 4Runner owner's manual handy but my '70 Cougar has the so called "select-shift" auto tranny and the owner's manual says it's perfectly okay to shift the auto tranny manually and I do it all the time.

 

[OUTRNNR]

I constantly upshift and downshift between 3-4-D(5), I like the feeling of holding a gear a little longer than the ECU likes me to, and I feel like I can't get that kind of control with my foot. So usually when slowing down I'll pull over to 4 then down to 3 (not over-revving the engine, obviously), then I'll upshift from a stop waiting for the engine to shift into 3rd automatically and I'll take it from there. The position of the lever is really easy to make this a comfortable option (don't have to push a button to move the lever, only have to move the shift lever one "slot").

On the highway, I don't like to have the engine try to downshift for me when passing because there are times when I'll push the pedal a little too far and get that annoyingly rapid 5-4-3 down shift (why doesn't it just go to 3?), so I'll pull it into 4 and match the revs with the gas pedal then, just like magic I'm in the prime power band and around I go without shifting into 3. At speeds from about 60-75 mph, I can still grab 3rd gear if I really need the go, but I'll do that with my foot and let the computer handle that shift because it occurs pretty close to redline.

I'm not sure what this does to the drivetrain. I'm sure it introduces more wear and tear because you are using the drivetrain to help remove energy from the car and not as much the brakes. Upshifting manually I don't think would cause any extra wear on the tranny. I'll be sure to have a full tranny service when the owner's manual suggests, but until then I've been doing this for 20k+ miles and it doesn't seem to have any ill effects...

 

[boston_kevin]

Many sport sedans have a manual shift mode for automatics. There should be no harm as long as you are not overreving for any particular gear.

Kmvreter - The aftermarket stuff was what I was thinking about or perhaps some mode in the ECU for more aggresive shifting. GM has this thing called "Tow/Haul mode" which with a push of a button changes the shift points by 750 RPM. Push the button again and it reverts back to factory settings.

 

[Paul2660]

Love that 1st Gen

I can't speak to your post, but I wanted to comment on the 1st Gen. That is one good looking 4R. My Dad had one, with the 4 cyl that had the turbo option. He never really liked the engine as it always seemed to be in Turbo, but the truck itself ran very well. I can remember taking the hard top off like your picture shows.

Paul c.

 

[eightnine]

Re: Love that 1st Gen

I can't speak to your post, but I wanted to comment on the 1st Gen. That is one good looking 4R. My Dad had one, with the 4 cyl that had the turbo option. He never really liked the engine as it always seemed to be in Turbo, but the truck itself ran very well. I can remember taking the hard top off like your picture shows.

Paul c.

thanks everyone for their valuable input and thank you for complementing my truck. If only my truck had the turbo option lol.