Driving an automatic like a manual?

[xowktiger]

I was sitting in my friend's car, and I noticed that everytime he started accelerating from a stop, he went from 1, 2, D3, then D4. It was a van, so I didn't feel like it was accelerating all that much better, but would this actually be faster? Would this be bad in any way?

[Aviography]

Maybe try searching, as I've done for you below using just "manually shift automatic" as key words:

http://www.driveaccord.net/forums/showthread.php?t=12488&highlight=manually+shift+automatic

http://www.driveaccord.net/forums/showthread.php?t=7769&highlight=manually+shift+automatic

http://www.driveaccord.net/forums/showthread.php?t=8313&highlight=manually+shift+automatic

http://www.driveaccord.net/forums/showthread.php?t=2920&highlight=manually+shift+automatic

[Accordlover]

If you drive your car aggressively already the AT will start shifting in that manner. Like if I drive conservatively all day and then all the sudden mash it from a stop the transmission doesn't respond anything like how it does when I'm doing that over and over.

The Accords At will take it up to redline you floor it, using the AT as a manual isn't nearly as smooth as using it normally IMO. It's too jerky.

D3 on the other hand is a useful tool. Especially on the interstate for passing. Or if you're in the city and you'd like the car to stay in 3rd for a little extra power on tap without it shifting all the way up into 5th and then having to drop down for the slightest bit of acceleration.

There's really no reason to manually shift the Accords AT, it's just kinda silly. :yes: Not to mention its a gas mileage killer.

[stiller fan]

There's really no reason to manually shift the Accords AT, it's just kinda silly. :yes: Not to mention its a gas mileage killer.

there may be no big benefit, but you know that it's fun..... :nuts: :naughty:

[BenjiBoy650]

OP...do I know you? Or do you know me? :lmao:

Only reason you'd want to shift it manually is in the city, to prevent it from going up and down gears all the time. It's a waste of a shift if it goes into 3rd as you're going downhill, then you step on the brakes a second later and it goes back into 2nd anyway. Ditto for a 2-1 when you come to a stop on a downhill section...it doesn't need to start in first gear, 2nd will do fine and if you're already in 2nd then why put extra stress on the vulnerable 2nd gear clutch packs.

Minimizing shifts keeps me up at night as you can tell :lmao: I've reduced it from 40+ shifts (with 1-2 and 2-1 being separate shifts) on my morning commute all the way down to just the 1-2 shift :thumbsup:

For the record...it is not that fun manually shifting a column shifter :)

[Kmart925]

i used to shift my auto 06 Civic LX like a manual for awile. Then it began to jerk on D when it shifted gears regularly.

i hear its bad for your transmission. if you want to shift manually buy a manual car. but i wouldn't recommend it.

[dash242]

I do at times - It's nice to wind her out in the city - keeps car more peppy(I think that's why H made the auto gear lever slide right into 3rd from D) and gives my right hand something to do while I'm not smoking, talking on the phone, having a beverage, or changing the station - LOL, I'm a really safe driver tho

[paulisme]

i heard it's not good for the transmission.

[zro26t]

Never had a problem manually shifting any vehicle I've owned. As for my AV6, it sees a daily D-to-3 downshift or two during my 100-mile per day commute. Usually time my passes for those that chose to drive 60 or below in a 70mph zone... <--- yes, it's true. :yes: Besides, it instantly releases lock-up & engages 3rd instead of a 2 second release of lock-up, then another 2 seconds til engaging 3rd (at least it seems too long for me). 3rd can be engaged when you make the pass, and not jump into a passing lane waiting for the right gear to engage before some other vehicle plows in behind you. :thmsup:

[Spektyr]

Never had a problem manually shifting any vehicle I've owned. As for my AV6, it sees a daily D-to-3 downshift or two during my 100-mile per day commute. Usually time my passes for those that chose to drive 60 or below in a 70mph zone... <--- yes, it's true. :yes: Besides, it instantly releases lock-up & engages 3rd instead of a 2 second release of lock-up, then another 2 seconds til engaging 3rd (at least it seems too long for me). 3rd can be engaged when you make the pass, and not jump into a passing lane waiting for the right gear to engage before some other vehicle plows in behind you. :thmsup:

Maybe I'm just an old fart, but all that just seems like an argument to plan ahead a bit more. The ability to make and implement split-second decisions is important, but that should be reserved for avoiding accidents. If something has to be done immediately or else I have to slow down, I'll opt to slow down because if I haven't thought it through for a second I might be missing something important that would actually cause an accident.

Knowing that it's going to take a moment for the car to kick down to passing gear, and similarly knowing that I'm gaining on the car in front of me at a significant pace, I would flip the blinker on, check my mirrors and (upon seeing a clear lane) then mash the accelerator down enough to ensure a downshift. Then, while waiting for the flood of power to reach the wheels, I'd turn to double-check the lane (blind spot check) and begin the lane change.

Same overall effect, simply begun a couple seconds earlier and it saves a manual shift on the tranny.


Of course in my car you have to plan ahead even more. If you want to accelerate at highway speed you need to have picked that faster speed out in your mind about 60 seconds ago, and with the Hondamatic there isn't really a "passing gear". At at anything more than 70mph she sounds like a 12 year-old girl who just got her cellphone taken away. Nothing life-threatening, just bitchy.

[Sylv]

OP...do I know you? Or do you know me? :lmao:

Only reason you'd want to shift it manually is in the city, to prevent it from going up and down gears all the time. It's a waste of a shift if it goes into 3rd as you're going downhill, then you step on the brakes a second later and it goes back into 2nd anyway. Ditto for a 2-1 when you come to a stop on a downhill section...it doesn't need to start in first gear, 2nd will do fine and if you're already in 2nd then why put extra stress on the vulnerable 2nd gear clutch packs.

Minimizing shifts keeps me up at night as you can tell :lmao: I've reduced it from 40+ shifts (with 1-2 and 2-1 being separate shifts) on my morning commute all the way down to just the 1-2 shift :thumbsup:

For the record...it is not that fun manually shifting a column shifter :)


Ya.. it really isnt too much fun, wish i had Manual, i just go into 2nd off the line to have a smoother run, soon as i hit around 3k rpm i just go into D and continue on my way.. :)