I have a bad (or good) habit of driving my car like a stickshift, even though I do have the automatic GT. I start in 1st, let off the gas, shift into 2nd, and step back on the throttle again. Since I used to drive stick all the time, its more normal, and its much more fun than the boring "Drive" world .

Anyway, yesterday, after about 15-20 minutes of shifting with the 1-2-3, I noticed that shifting from 1st to 2nd felt harder on the car, and it wasnt as smooth as earlier. Also, there was a loud, mechanical "clunk" coming from the car. Should I be worried about this? It only happens when I shift using the 1-2-3 for a LONG time, and also only when I do it under the wrong circuimstances. (and guys, No, its not the air conditioning click we hear when the AC is on )

I never hear this sound in Drive. Only when shifting "manually." Is this bad? What can I do about it? I hope its not a dealer issue.. Anyone else experience this?

 

I just noticed there are tons of threads on this..Not many on auto trans...anyone else here drive like me in an auto? PLEASE help!

 

Well, I'm definitely not a transmission expert, but one thing my father always told me. "NEVER, EVER, EVER manually shift an automatic." As I understand it, the internal clutches the transmission uses to shift aren't designed to take that kind of treatment. Going up is not as bad, but the coming down is.

My two cents, but you may have damaged it. I'd get it checked out.

 

That's correct. Being a long-time Vette guy, shifting the auto will ruin it. Get it fixed under warranty then let it do it's job. Remember, it's smarter than you...

 

Well I'm never really downshifting at all. I come to a stop and go back to 1.

But guys, since this doesn't happen AT ALL unless I grind at the shifting for like 20 mins, should i really worry? :scratch:

 

Actually it was discussed a looooooong time ago.

http://forums.bradbarnett.net/index.php?sh...the%20auto&st=0

 

FWIW, I have tried it both ways; both on the street and at the track. With my Predator tuner, I set the WOT shift points to 6200rpm. The tune also increased the firmness of the automatic shifting.

Bottom line... after tweaking it with the Predator, there is no way I could manually outperform the consistency of the auto at WOT (through the first three gears). At the track, its "D" for me...

 

Not this again :bang:


Side Note: don_w's Shaker Stang Rocks

 

Aw shucks... thank you, John.