Using low gears in an auto

[sprintcyclist]

I have done this for a long time and every day.

........... 1. Towing Heavy Loads
If you are pulling a large boat or you have a truck and the flatbed is loaded down with heavy equipment or supplies, you could damage your transmission if you don’t drive in “low gear.” This is because your transmission is programmed to operate and shift under the manufactured weight of the vehicle. When you significantly change the weight, it can have adverse effects on the transmission. Using low gear to tow heavy loads ensures that the entire transmission keeps the engine running at higher RPMs in order to handle that heavier load.

2. Steep Inclines & Declines
Another reason that drivers of automatic vehicles may choose to shift manually to low gear is during times of driving on steep hills or mountains. Shifting your engine manually to low gear while driving up a steep hill can help give your car a little more power, or engine torque, to make the climb without stressing the engine. Conversely, driving in low gear as you descend a steep hill can help you stay slow and steady without riding your brake or burning up your transmission. ................

https://parksidemotors.ca/when-to-use-l ... automatic/

[Jovial Monk]

The SA freeway in Adelaide has a long steepish slope Adelaide–Crafers. Descending this I put the drive selector into manual then select third gear. I can make the whole way Crafers to Adelaide without touching the brake but most drivers seem to ride the brakes down.

I use cruise control even in town, nice economic acceleration from 25 to 60kph and deselect cruise control and glide almost to a stop at a red light (esp Marion Rd/Anzac Hway and Anzac Highway/South Rd.) Just seems sensible to reduce fuel consumption and brake pads. Can’t do this at peak hours etc of course.

What shits me is hills too steep for this, do have to keep braking.

[Jovial Monk]

Here is a perfect clown:



He even SAW what would happen on speeding up, but tries it again! Safety features turned off, this guy is an eggspurt!

[sprintcyclist]

......... I can make the whole way Crafers to Adelaide without touching the brake but most drivers seem to ride the brakes down. ............

............. What shits me is hills too steep for this, do have to keep braking. ...........

' ........ I can make the whole way Crafers to Adelaide without touching the brake ....... ' that must be a very good gear you decided on.
There is NO stress on your vehicle


I far prefer to accelerate on a straight downhill section in a low gear than overly rely on brakes on bends when downhill.
Revving is good for a motor. It's like puffing when a human is doing a cardio activity.
My engine redlines at 6500 rpm. It'll rev to 4500 really easily.

[Jovial Monk]

Revs are about 4000 in a 2000cc engine. Not excessive I reckon.

[sprintcyclist]

Revs are about 4000 in a 2000cc engine. Not excessive I reckon.

It probably redlines at 6000+ rpm. 4000 rpm is 2/3rds the max.
The motor is warmed up, under no stress whatsoever. It is freely spinning.
That really has to be very beneficial for it.

[Jovial Monk]

I don’t think any damage is done that way.

[Bobby]

Revs are about 4000 in a 2000cc engine. Not excessive I reckon.

It probably redlines at 6000+ rpm. 4000 rpm is 2/3rds the max.
The motor is warmed up, under no stress whatsoever. It is freely spinning.
That really has to be very beneficial for it.

Are you sure that you can't burn out an auto transmission doing that?
What about descending the long Adelaide Hills?
You could burn out your brakes or your transmission or both.

[sprintcyclist]

Revs are about 4000 in a 2000cc engine. Not excessive I reckon.

It probably redlines at 6000+ rpm. 4000 rpm is 2/3rds the max.
The motor is warmed up, under no stress whatsoever. It is freely spinning.
That really has to be very beneficial for it.

Are you sure that you can't burn out an auto transmission doing that?
What about descending the long Adelaide Hills?
You could burn out your brakes or your transmission or both.

I am pretty sure that is good for an auto. Autos overheat by excess gear changing or slippage.
At a higher revs (only above 2000 rpm) the torque converter in the autos are in a lock up stage.
There is no slippage, it is just happily spinning.

In caravan tow sites they often say to lock it in 5th or 4th on a 6 speed auto. Overdrive gears are not suited to heavy work.
Get the auto up and spinning freely in a set gear, not laboring, changing gears and slipping a lot.
Select the gear according to the revs. Say 1600+ for a big lazy diesel, 2200+ for a petrol. For a modern turbo small diesel, maybe 2000+ ?

Certainly, do you own research. It is your car and your auto.
Generally in owners manuals it says to select a lower gear when in high traffic , snowy conditions or towing heavy loads. That sort of thing.
Noone reads it, as they all think 'Select D and drive.'

It is an interesting topic.

[Neferti]

Why would anybody buy an automatic if they wanted to be able to change gears? I always liked the 4-on-the-floor, so that I could change gears, I did learn to drive in an MG.

Classic-MGA-Car-07-820x547.jpg