Shifting manually w/ Auto. Tranny

[cs1044]

2004 Solara SLE's 4-cylinder automatic transmission (not manumatic) has D, 3, 2, and L. If I start at L, then shift to 2 when the RPM hits near the redline, then shift to 3 near the redline, and then shift to D near the redline, will it damage the transmission? Will it give me the maximum torque and horsepower? Is there anything good in doing this? Or is this just stupid?

[MikeATL]

You WILL burn out your transmission.

[mattyboyl]

Not recommended at all. You will eventually damage the tranny. This feature is for steep inclines depending on your speed. It's not meant for daily driving and manual shifting, like the tiptronic is.

[boaclub923]

as professional racer perspective,
u r getting the max out put from the car...
that's exactly what they do when ppl racing on the track...
but then those racers r affort to change a new car after every racing...

can u??
and plus, ur car is NOT racing mod. and NOT good to push ur car at high output all the time.
in fact, getting max output from car is using max burning of fuel.
u r using more gas by doing this way.
not suggest u to do it unless u wnana change ur car by next month.

[Parke10]

long as u dont blow yer engine ull b fine
the tranny doesnt know what "redline" means just the engine

[Mole]

you put wear and tear on the engine when you drive normally.

by shifting in this aggresive manner, you will just put more wear and tear.

[Parke10]

moles right even if you did it alll the time u might get only 375k miles outta yer tranny instead of 450k+

[cs1044]

Well, I wasn't planning to shift near the redline all the time ... Maybe when I really really need the power.

But, what if I only shift at low RPM? Is manual shifting still bad for the automatic transmission?

[RichD978]

if you want power do what madarin does... take the air filter box off

[chuchurocket]

even the manumatic shift mode on all the automatic cars are not meant ot be shifted constantly, the best way to drive ur automatic car is, well to put it into D and drive.

[mattyboyl]

even the manumatic shift mode on all the automatic cars are not meant ot be shifted constantly, the best way to drive ur automatic car is, well to put it into D and drive.

Show me in the owners manual where it says that. They didn't put that option in so people can use it sometimes. I use it all the time and if I blew my tranny because some punk said that to me, I'd raise alot of hell. So that is just nonsense!

[prowlerartist]

i talked to a good mechanic that i trust about this and he said it was fine and would not cause damage to the transmission. Ive been doing it for 90K miles and still no sign of any trouble

[sgunitkc]

WOW you already have 90k miles on your 04? dang...I still only have around 20k. I shift manually with my automatic too sometimes and my mechanic friend says it's cool too. I just dont redline it all the time..cuz im sure it'll have some effects on the engine over time.

[Jai_Jai_Binks]

Its amazing how some of you treat your cars. Sorry, for my a/t, put it at D and drive off. Only when its really raining badly and I've got to overcome some flooded street would i go to lower gears (so that if there is any water that comes it...my rpm's are high enough to flush it out). but thats not a theory..its a peace of mind! I don't think i even use the o/d button...