Good snowy morning all... ... I am curious about manual shifting an automatic transmission... I have an 02 MC SS and quite often use it as if it were a manual tranny (52,000km - 190,000km)... That is, I will up-shift, down-shift and push it into netral when stopped... My question is, is this ok or is it bad for the tranny?... I have read a few comments that this might not be a good idea... ... Need the straight poop on this... ... Thanks,

 

I'm guilty of putting it on neutral on red lights, I figured i'd rather not have the engine forced and breaking, and just set it on neutral.
I don't know how bad this is to the tranny if at all, good question though.
I look forward to the answer.

 

your not really using it as a manual, the tranny wont shift early into a gear if it doesnt hit the right rpms, but you can keep it in a lower gear, for like snow and stuff to get better traction. if your deciding to bounce off the rev limiter then let it shift, thats obviously bad. if you just putting it in neutral at a light, no harm done unless your then revving and then shifting.

 

What's the point? The computer tells the transmission what to do, and when to do it to save on gas, and wear, etc.

 

It's actually bad to shift an auto like a manual. When you put the shift selector into 1st or 2nd, you're not just putting the tranny in one of those gears. You're selecting low range, and that makes the tranny use other components that don't need to be used. By using unnecessary components, you're wearing out parts that wouldn't normally be worn out (low range). Do not shift the tranny like it's a manual. The PCM knows how to shift better then you do.

There's no harm however in putting the tranny into neutral at a stop light though. The only issue I have about that is, what's the point? The engine isn't connected to the tranny's input shaft. In fact other then the fact that the engine is bolted to the tranny case, there is no real physical connection there. That's what the torque convertor is for. Once you spin the TC fast enough (think stall rating), then the spinning of the TC moves the input shaft that ends up driving the car.

 

All great points... The reason I ask is that I personnally like to simulate the feel of a manual tranny, no brake lights at a full stop, downshifting etc... Now, knowing that this may cause unnecessary wear and/or damage, I may have to change my driving habits... I do however remember installing a shift kit on my 1970 GTO Judge (tranny = M40 Rock Crusher)in order to more closely simulate a manual shifting tranny in order to optimize the correct shift points at red line... If I understand correctly, this is what a well tuned PCM will do today... It's a shame that a 6 speed manual wasn't an option on our cars... Thanks

 

I wouldn't shift the trans like an auto! These transmissions are prone to act up if provoke, lol! If you are really set into manual shifting, and have some bucks stashed under the mattress, check this thread out:
http://www.grandprixforums.net/six-s...prix-7111.html

The guy did a trans swap using one out of a G6.

 

Sweet... Unfortunately, my mattress wouldn't have anywhere near what is needed... lol... Nice to know that it is possible though...

 

A great PCM tune will have you shifting the way you want all day everyday.

If I want redline shifts, foot to floor. Soft shifts, soft on the pedal. Up to mid-range RPM, I can do that too. All with my right foot and that's it.

Downshifts? Sure I can do that too.

 

Granted...