manual vs automatic

[yay for cars]

hi, ive got an automatic P5, and the other day was playing around with the 1 and 2 settings on the shifter. i was wondering what the difference was between shifting in a manual and shifting from 1 to 2 to D to overdrive in an automatic was. i realize there isnt a clutch and all that, but what is the difference with how the engine is working? is it bad for the car to shift like that in an automatic?

 

[uclap5]

http://www.howstuffworks.com

awesome site

 

[yay for cars]

thanks for the site, its real informative, but i couldnt find if its bad for the tranny to shift like that in an automatic. can someone please tell me this?

 

[ZoomZoomH]

thanks for the site, its real informative, but i couldnt find if its bad for the tranny to shift like that in an automatic. can someone please tell me this?

there is a BIG difference between automatic and manual transmission, namely the dreaded torque converter (aka slush box).

here, I've found the HowStuffWorks articles on automatic and manual transmissions:

Automatic:
http://www.howstuffworks.com/automatic-transmission.htm

Manual:
http://www.howstuffworks.com/transmission.htm

bottom line? the taller gearing of the automatic transmission and the significant drivetrain loss through the torque converter makes an automatic drive MUCH more sluggish than a manual. I would bet that if you drive a manual Protege and then an auto Protege, you would think one is much more powerful than the other

 

[promp3]

Hey I know what your asking, and no it isn't bad to shift your automatic tranmition manually, just dont let the engine hit the rev limiter for to long, or at all. Just rember that you have to move the shifter a little bit early to alow time for the tranmition to shift. when racing I prefer to do it this way too. If any one tells you that this is some how bad for your engine or any thing slap them, cause they don't know what their talking about. If I had a penny for every time some one asked me what the 1 and 2 numbers were for Id have a lot of pennys... at least you know what they do. Also for better launches try loading up the tourqe converter.. by holding the brake hard and apling the gas to no more than about 2,ooo rpm's (for just a little while) befor leting the brake go and flooring it, that way your tourqe converter will be lock up early er and you will get more power to the ground. Also for the complete slush box experince get some b&m quick shift tranny fluid this will give you faster, crisper shifts. good luck

 

[promp3]

oh yea and you don't have to lift of the gas to shift, a comon mistake that does nothing but slow you down

 

[Captain KRM P5]

Downshifting an automatic from overdrive/drive gear into 1 or 2 is also useful going down steep hills or up them. On my last trip to the Rockies the car in front of us rode his brakes all the way down Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mtn Natl Park rather than downshift. We both happened to stop at the rest area just outside the park, us for a potty break and him to call a tow truck - his brakes had melted and warped his rotors

As for manually shifting your automatic from 1, 2, D, O/D this is not going to hurt your car. Some cars like the Buick Grand National, came only with automatics, and the few I've seen at the track are manually shifted by the drivers. I'll tell you what though, manually shifting my Tercel didn't seem to make it any faster

 

[yay for cars]

thanks everyone

i forgot to mention it, but i am only 16 years old and this is my first car, so besides being extraordinarily happy because this car kicks ass, i thought it would probably be better to get my first car in an automatic. thanks for all your help and for putting up with my elementary questions.

 

[Captain KRM P5]

Congrats on your first new car! You made a good choice! Enjoy your new ride. Damn, I wish I was able to buy this car when I was 16 - you don't even want to know what my first set o wheels was!

 

[yay for cars]

well, turns out that mazda is a client of my dads, so he got a nice deal on one that was very slightly used (about 8000 miles). so i guess im a bit spoiled in that he paid, but i know im a good kid, get real good grades and such, so yeah. im very lucky and very happy.