So after my 4.10's and a tune I find that I like putting the car (auto trans) in 3rd gear as I come down steep mountain roads so I don't have to ride the brake (this didn't work previous to the 4.10 gears and tune, because I would be going to fast in 3rd). So anyway, I got used to doing this, but one time I came to a stop and accidentally forgot to put the transmission back into drive. Well, the transmission actually just stayed in 3rd gear as I took off, it sounded like someone with a manual transmision was starting out in 3rd, having to ride the clutch fairly hard.

My question is, can I damage anything by doing this? I won't be trying to do this, but as much as I love driving in the mountains, I bet it's going to happen again and I want to make sure that it's not going to damage anything. Will the torque converter "burn up" or over heat, or anything like that? I'm afraid I'll accidentaly leave it in 3rd, then goose the gas off a stop thinking the transmission is in 1st, and end up burning something up. What will happen if I accidntally do this? Should I be super worried about letting this happen again? Or if it happens, will it be no biggie?

Did the tune (SCT II) do this? or do these transmissions do this from the factory? My old 700r4 didn't do this unless it had a manual valve body. With the stock style valve body, putting the transmission into "3rd gear" would basically limit the top gear to 3rd. 1st and 2nd would still be there, it just wouldn't shift to 4th. I was under the impression thats how our mustang transmissions worked, am I wrong? Sorry, I am new to ford :-)

Thanks,

Daniel

 

I think you're right. Putting it into 3rd should have just limited the trans to 1-3. I'm suprised it stayed in 3rd after you came to a stop. Normally, it would shift down to first, or at least the previous 4R70W would. I know that Honda's will stay in 2nd if you come to a stop if you leave it in 2nd just to aid low speed take off in slippery conditions. Not sure about the 5R55S trans operation.

I'd definately be worried about heat build up if you plan on driving the car manually a lot of the time. I love automatics, but if you're into the LA twisties, a manual might have been a better choice.

 

No, this transmission stays in the gear you put it in. IF you leave it in third at a stop and then drive off, it will be in third the whole time.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(atomic_il @ April 11, 2006, 1:19 PM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
No, this transmission stays in the gear you put it in. IF you leave it in third at a stop and then drive off, it will be in third the whole time.
[/b][/quote]

Will just have to remember to put it back in drive after I get to the base of the mountains then. Glad my transmission isn't messed up or anything. Thanks [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img]

 

You should be all right. You didn't cause any damage to your trans. Just don't get in the habit of leaving it in third. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/nono.gif[/img]

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(atomic_il @ April 11, 2006, 10:19 AM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
No, this transmission stays in the gear you put it in. IF you leave it in third at a stop and then drive off, it will be in third the whole time.
[/b][/quote]

I can vouch for that. My wife and I do burnouts in 2nd gear at the track, and on a few occasions she forgot to put it back in "D". Let me just say that 60' times aren't too good starting off in 2nd gear. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/icon_mrgreen.gif[/img]