Downshifting an auto

[Cruzadr]

Back in the day when i was a boy racer with my auto (yes i know) Lancer I used to downshift from D to 3 just to make the cat back 2 1/2 inch exhaust not sound so piss weak. I got used to it and was told by a mechanic that it didn't do any damage and I didn't care anyways as it sounded cool and thats all that mattered.
Then I got a VR 6cyl auto and did the same thing, now I got a VX SS Series II and I was wondering if it's still safe to do so. Its an ex cop car so I can change all the way to 2 without pushing the button down, I presume this was so it can be shifted around like a manual instead of relying so heavily on the brakes.
I've heard many different opinions and even read a similar thread about the VY but no conclusion was reached. Anyone help me out.
I hate driving an Auto but I have to cos of my missus, I just want to feel a bit more masculine coming up to the lights, especially once I get a new exhaust sorted.
Any advice on a good way to start for drag racving would be cool too, as I wouldn't mind putting in a time when the missus lets me.
Cheers

[Timmay5.7]

I do it often too... (downshifting) I have been told that there is a proper technique to it, but cannot confirm anything either...

[OLS108]

I do it often too... (downshifting) I have been told that there is a proper technique to it...

mee too... leave it in D:) for Driving and 3RD for racing

[Timmay5.7]

My uncle (a while back) used to have a column shift auto panno,
P = Pass
R = Race
N = (cant remember)
D = Drag
S = (cant remember)
L = Lay rubber :rofl:

[BLOWN_VXSS]

I reakon if you are doing the downshifting smoothly it wouldn't be a problem.

[_MetalliX_]

Coming to a set of lights I will usually down shift, but with a stock exhaust this is mainly for engine braking rather than sounding good - which it doesn't.

[HSV249]

I don't use the box to slow down, that's what the brakes are for......

You can give the throttle a blip between downshifts to make it a bit smoother.

[SS_Fury]

not big on downshifting an auto, just doesnt 'feel' right....similar to upshifting through the gears...as stated leave it in D unless ya wanna hammer, then put it in 3

[Timmay5.7]

I figure the gears are there for a reason... why not use them?

[Tonner]

I don't use the box to slow down, that's what the brakes are for......

You can give the throttle a blip between downshifts to make it a bit smoother.

I think thats the safest way too.

But Im paranoid I have destroyed about 5, 4l65's and a couple of 60's now..
but not from downshifting, but there was evident wear from downshifting

Hey Luke,

[vytwo]

Downshifting WILL reduce the life of your box. If you want it too sound tuff stick a big arse cam in it....and it comes with perfomance benefits to back up all that extra noise you're making. :burnout:

[zorro]

This is something that is an argued topic around the traps. Basically I have heard all sorts from not downshifting an auto to aid braking to never putting it in D unless you are on the highway.

I can argue the point that my VS V6 auto did 2 boxes in my ownership, both boxes had the adon of a larger aftermarket trans cooler and were both shift kitted with a super 6 converter. I gave them death on occasion and most of the time drove around in D. Both boxes lost 2nd gear and progressed to not changing from 1st.

however;

A certain VT has also been kitted, converter, locker and engine work and by no means gets driven easily. 1st gear copression lockups coming into corners is not uncommon and gets manually shifted for everygear. also driving this box is quite fun as you can time right for a throttle blip and actually match revs like a manual.

3 years of the above box and is still as strong as it was the day it got bolted back into the car. clean oil and no belt slippage.

[Mungrel]

Downshifting WILL reduce the life of your box. If you want it too sound tuff stick a big arse cam in it....and it comes with perfomance benefits to back up all that extra noise you're making. :burnout:

What he said :werd:
still, down shifting in an auto always makes me laugh when i see people do that.
Understandable you've got an auto due to the missus for whatever reason but still, down shifting an auto does tend to come across as "can't drive a manual, but wants to.." / tryhard IMO. Reason being, back in the day, all the people i saw downshifting were exactly that - young guys that wanted to drive a manual but didnt have the ability or co-ordination to do so.

[Gonadman2]

Manuals are way cooler...

[Timmay5.7]

Manuals arn't always an option tho... eg: lux-o-barge, or senator...

[Mungrel]

Manuals arn't always an option tho... eg: lux-o-barge, or senator...

fair call, but then a stato isn't exactly a sportscar... (excluding MI2 drag edition :lol:)

[ado_civon]

Wish only all automatics came with Ferrari gear change abilities :)

Then not only can you beat most manual drivers, but you can do so without much physical labor, such as press clutch down, put hand on stick, change to desired gear, let go of clutch :)

i mean its the 21st century hehe cars should drive themselves.

I'd prefer manual too though but don't really mind automatic either.

[Tonner2]

I think thats the safest way too.

But Im paranoid I have destroyed about 5, 4l65's and a couple of 60's now..
but not from downshifting, but there was evident wear from downshifting

Hey Luke,

Ah huh, glad I saw that, WHO, is responsible for breaking them? not me.


RVO will build you a trans for manual shifting only if you want, that can be switched back to auto, The blown Tonner has that type of transmission.

[Gteeez]

Downshifting an auto has got absolutely nothing to do with braking. Yes, it will slow the car down, but the wear to the box far outweighs the wear to the brakes that were designed to slow the car down, 4WD's being the exception.

Downshifting an auto is to get in the correct gear to safely nail it through a corner and to hold the gearbox in that one gear until the exit. We all know how good that feels when you get it right, and nothing worse than having an auto jump from 2nd to 3rd just before you hit the apex. Also for straight line driving, it saves a bit of time if you select the lower gear before nailing it, rather than waiting for the auto to kick down. It's an acceleration technique, not braking.

So use your brakes to slow down before the corner, or trail brake if you are that good, hold the auto in the lower gear you have selected on entry, then nail it! Once you've exited, select a higher gear and keep going. No different to a manual.

Cheers. :cheers:

[BLACKWAGON]

An older mate who is a rep does massive kms, had fords for yrs and always downshifted in his auto while coming thru the big downhills out in the sticks where he had to travel, no dramas at all and better than sitting on brakes for kms on end.

Then work bought him a VY s pak ute, 2months and the auto went in it.
The mechanics told him that the fords can be used like that but holden wont hold up.....which his 2 month old box didnt.

This is what he told me after he hit the problem, I personally wouldnt have a farkn clue......I have a 6 speed HOOHAA

[chevypower]

manually downshifting an auto wears it out quicker than leaving it in D and being gentle with it - pretty obvious really, but a lot of people will say, NEVER downshift to 1 to slow using compression, as the different gears are rated at different strengths, and there is a lot more torque on the driveline in 1st - when you actually do it, you can probably feel it's not good for it. When the prongs on the gears are chipped, this leads to other problems (slipping). When the transmission slips it puts more components at further risk (kind of like snapping back in unexpectedly) removing the tranny and pulling it apart is timely and costly. If you don't want to spend thousands of dollars on your transmission, be smooth on it. I say dont manually downshift an auto when towing also, i know there are some people who recommend you do, but also from a driving safety perspective I fully beleive it's best not to.

[dadem0n]

I think thats the safest way too.

But Im paranoid I have destroyed about 5, 4l65's and a couple of 60's now..
but not from downshifting, but there was evident wear from downshifting

Hey Luke,

No way Luke would do that...... :hide:


:lmao: