I see that on my automatic shifter, there are gears "1" "2" and "3" at the bottom.


So, if I have it in gear 1 there instead of "D", will the car stay in first gear? And then when I shift it into gear 2, will it then go into second?

If so, this is great, since it mimics a manual almost exactly, correct?

 

Except for that little thing called a clutch.

 

Is this your first automatic?

 

That was my question.

 

I don't think that would be a good idea to use it like that. I think those gears are reserved for going uphill in snow or something like that...not drag racing(if that's what you were wondering).

 

 

SHould the traction control and overdrive be turned off before racing? SHould it be in D or 1st?

(No laughing .ok, you can laugh if you answer me).

 

Or even the first time in a car that has an automatic? All automatics have that.
P, R, N, D, 3, 2, 1

 

You will most likely want to keep the traction control off, overdrive doesn't really matter, by turning the overdrive off, it will simply not shift into 5th gear. Keep it in D for best results.

 

For your info , most cars do not have the "3" gear

It had the "R" "D" "1" "2" "N"

 

I thought someone on here had "perfected" the auto shifting technique for automatics trying to get the most off the line.......using the different gears, etc.

 

That's because most cars only have 4 gears in their automatics. The Mustang has 5.

 

I ran my auto for the second time two weeks ago.
traction control and overdrive off
ran 3 times shifting manually and holding third until I was thru the traps, ran 2 times with the trans in D.....no difference

 

what did you run?

 

So it sounds like some of you are shifting manually using the "1" "2" and "3".

But it sounds like it gives the same performance as keeping it in "D"?


So, traction control off is good?

What about overdrive, I'm not sure what it does. What does it do and is it good to have it off to 'race'?

 

Just remember the R doesn't stand for race. D gives the best results, you probably won't redline and blow your engine.

 

If your going to be racing you might want to think about getting a shift kit or something along that line.

 

I've always had a preference for auto's both my 72 chevelle's had it my 2 78 formula's had it my 54 pickup had it and my 64 Lemans had it.

They have varied from powerglides to th 400's most had shift kits added but with them it was necessary to go through the gears manually because of how they are controlled.

The 5 speed auto in the Mustang is a true joy it seems to shift at the perfect times in 'd' I don't see a need to manually run through the gears in this one unless you want to hit the rev limiter.

 

Overdrive is 5th gear.

 

for the mileage factors.