3rd?? 2nd??

If one were to drive around in 3rd or even 2nd on an automatic car, would the car be injured? Are their advantages/disadvantages?

[Beav]

Originally posted by punisher
If one were to drive around in 3rd or even 2nd on an automatic car, would the car be injured? Are their advantages/disadvantages?

Second would be kind of a pain but a number of us use third instead of drive while on surface streets (below 45-50mph) to keep the tranny from 'hunting' - shifting in and out of fourth. Plus it keeps the torque convertor from going in and out of lock-up, thereby reducing the wear on its clutch. Once out of stop and go traffic just pop it back into 'D'.

I drive mostly less than 3-4 miles each trip and average 17.2mpg, which is in keeping with the mileage I got when using 'D'.

When you have it in 3rd, does it drive in 3rd the entire time...or does it just not surpass 3rd?? I've only really used 2nd during snow storms (this may just be in my head, but the car seems more controlled this way).

[Beav]

When placed in third it will start in first and advance normally, 1-2-3. In second it will start and stay in second. It is easier to control on slick surfaces in second, that's why the option is available.

Except with the manual switch engaged right? i.e. in that case the gear setting is truly controlled manually.

If I'm not going very far to the next intersection, especially going up a hill or something, I put it in 3rd. That way it doesn't do the extra shifting, and helps slow the car down too (I did a LOT of that shifting stuff when I needed new front brakes )

Just be careful that you are not already in a higher gear when you downshift because that isn't good. I wish there was an option so that if you downshifted early, the car would "get ready" and then downshift instead of just jerking it into whatever gear you chose.

[htyei]

Yes, enlighten us on exactly how this wonderful transmission of ours works.
What the differences between all the settings(D,3,2,1) normally and when the manul button is on/off

The manual is a little vague on certain pts, i just forgot which

Originally posted by htyei
Yes, enlighten us on exactly how this wonderful transmission of ours works.
What the differences between all the settings(D,3,2,1) normally and when the manul button is on/off

The manual is a little vague on certain pts, i just forgot which

I think that all the manual button does is keep the car out of first gear.