In the owner’s manual it says that, a lock-up will feel like a shift. D3 does not have that one extra shift-like-feel and, we probably have established that, D3 does not have a lock-up.

That manual also says that one can use D3 for hilly terrain. If someone lives in a city like, Pittsburgh, PA, USA that has a lot of ups and downs and quite hilly, ‘think one has to use D3 most of the time. Otherwise, it will go from high to low gear quite frequently.

I have few questions,

Since there is no lock up in D3 and slippage will occur, are the clutch plates going to wear out due to slippage? It this the problem we should be concern about besides high ATF temperature?

To solve the temperature issue due to slippage or engine rpm can I move from organic to synthetic? Do I have to drain all the organic/petroleum based fluid out or a small amount left in the system should not hurt, mixed with synthetic?

Ronjon