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"Downshifting" an automatic 850 1995

posted by someone claiming to be Ken on Tue Oct 30 17:17 CST 2001 [RELATED]

Does it or will it harm an automatic tranny in a 95 850 GLT turbo if I downshift from D to 3 to slow down for a city light? How about when I am cruising down mountain passes in Colorado?

Thanks

Ken

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Re: "Downshifting" an automatic 850 1995

posted by someone claiming to be Billy Dee on Fri Nov 2 03:57 CST 2001 [RELATED]

Ken- I do this sometimes in my T5. Usually when i'm exiting a TP or other expressway and i am going a bit too fast. My manual says only try it upto 70mph. I agree with Steve F. that it may heat up the tranny more(so that's another reason to flush it every few years). When i downshift, my tach races to about 3-4K rpms and i'm pushed back into my seat. I hold it there for a few seconds(5-10), then I re-engage "D"- all the while applying the brakes. this has saved my hide a few times, but I try not to make it a habit. As for hills, i would not/do not use it to brake or slow down. Just put it in "3" at the start of the hill, and keep you foot at the ready to hit the brakes.

CIAO,BD

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Re: "Downshifting" an automatic 850 1995

posted by someone claiming to be Simon Linton on Tue Oct 30 20:35 CST 2001 [RELATED]

Absolutely not - I had an auto 850 for a couple of years before my manual R and used the box as a clutchless manual with no ill effects.

I bet if you read the handbook it'll say to use the auto in low ratio when descending to keep the engine braking effect.

I hope yours also has the "hooligan button" Sports mode - I drove a late model V70 yesterday as a service loan car which didn't have it and it was a real stodgy dog!

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Re: "Downshifting" an automatic 850 1997

posted by someone claiming to be PChiu on Wed Oct 31 06:03 CST 2001 [RELATED]

I try to shift from D to 3 before light Stop. Other than feeling the gear shift, but not the engine brake effect. The car keep going in roughly the same speed, in level road. I've been asking around, but no one give me a good answer. So do you really feel the engine brake that slow down the car like you are drive a manual ? I'm drive the auto without turbo, will that be the different ?

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Re: "Downshifting" an automatic 850 1997

posted by someone claiming to be Steve F. on Wed Oct 31 08:56 CST 2001 [RELATED]

chances are that if you do not feel the engine brake, then the auto trans has already downshifted into third itself.

I would think heading for a red light you would not be in 4th. or 5th., unless you did it on purpose.

This would be more noticeable while slowing down for a exit from highway speeds......then the trans should be in high gear.....and you would then feel the (premature IMHO) downshift if you shifted from D to 3.

Anyhow.....the kenitic energy(motion of the car)has to go some place when you try to slow down,....so insted of it turning into heat on your brake pads/rotors....it will go into heat inside your auto trans. I think it would cost much less money to replace pads/rotors, than it would to replace a auto trans.

just my 2� on the whole thing

BTW: I would manually "downshift" a auto trans only if I was on a long down hill grade, and did not want to overstress the brakes....but it woud be to keep the car from speeding up too much....not to slow it down after it sped up.

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Re: "Downshifting" an automatic 850 1997

posted by someone claiming to be P. Dwyer on Wed Oct 31 10:51 CST 2001 [RELATED]

Steve F. (and PChiu...Bless you!): good point: downshifting 'at speed' going downhill = NOT a good idea; synchromesh will get you there, but you're not being kind to your tranny. Signs at the TOP of the steeper hills in San Francisco warn motorists to use LOW gears, and most do the right thing by coming to a near-halt, THEN they shift down, and let the engine do most of the braking. On relatively flat ground, if you slow down heading toward a light, as mentioned, your 2uto trans has already downshifted for you...so why not snap that puppy into SECOND gear, you'll get a decidedly noticeable slow-down, Addictive? Not really..and don't do it on ice!...--PD.

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Re: "Downshifting" an automatic 850 1997

posted by someone claiming to be Will on Wed Oct 31 17:30 CST 2001 [RELATED]

Well think of this guys. If you downshift to slow down, your engine will have to work at a higher RPM, in the lower gear, to catch up to speed with your car, therefore it will eat more gas. If you use your brakes, you will work them hard going downhill. Whats the solution? Put on the Bilsteins, Eibachs, OMP Strut brace, Anti sways, put 'er in N, and speed down the mountain like you're in Gran Turismo. :)

Will

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Re: "Downshifting" an automatic 850 1997

posted by someone claiming to be Simon Linton on Wed Oct 31 20:35 CST 2001 [RELATED]

Whatever the merits and demerits of downshifting an auto, I must clarify the misconception that high engine revs on a closed throttle use fuel.

Release the throttle = switch off the injectors, as can be seen by watching your fuel flow meter for those with trip computers.

I take the point about heat going into the box, but engine braking is a recognised form of slowdown, so auto box designers I'm sure allow for it in the design - if not, you wouldn't be able to override the downshifts in any way.

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