Anyone ever use the auto box manually - i.e. using the auto lever up through 1st/2nd etc.???

I would think it would put more wear and tear on box - but what do you think?

Geoff.

I don't have a car equipped with an autobox at the moment, but i drive most autos this way, unless i'm stuck in traffic. :D

Can be a whole lot better for the box as you can back off slightly when you change gear. It is the actual changes that stress the box the most as the clutches/band has to start/stop the particular gear while the engine is trying hard. If you catch my meaning.

You get to know exactly when it will change gear and can be mechanically sensitive anyway. I find manual changing too sluggish. There's always a short time lag before the gears change. Plus the Z uses ignition timing retardation to damp the shock at the change points in light throttle changes

while we're on autoboxes, at what rpm does your auto shift up when you're caining it? I noticed yesterday our zed revved right up to 7200rpm before changing from 2nd to 3rd. But on the video someone posted here a week or 2 back theirs only shifted at 6500.

So whats it supposed to do?

WillieO, the ecu may or may not back off the power somewhat, I dont know, but what I do know is it will not back off the power any where near as much as feathering the throtle, and this does halp the box, especially on the 2 to 3 change, as the 3rd gear clutch is weak. It will prolong the box's life.

 

As for it being a bit slow, I agree, but this can be allowed for.

Having said all of that , I dont change manually when I am "going for it" and I am short on time etc. As in when racing.

Originally posted by Clarkey

while we're on autoboxes, at what rpm does your auto shift up when you're caining it? I noticed yesterday our zed revved right up to 7200rpm before changing from 2nd to 3rd. But on the video someone posted here a week or 2 back theirs only shifted at 6500.

So whats it supposed to do?

 

That was probably me.

Good question, seems to be a dumb idea changing at 500rpm below the redline when you're going for it.

I'm my manual cars when I'm driving hard (as hard as possible) I have always changed at the redline to drop me back into the powerband in the next gear.

Apart from the VTS which happily revs to 7300rpm! (300rpm above the red line) :)

can only give my thoughts on the auto box on my S70.

 

If I am in traffic I drive around in manual gears, being a big heavy car the extra "engine braking" given by being locked in a lower gear (as opposed to the auto box selecting the highest gear asap) means that I am not so heavy on brake pads.

 

If I am giving it some (yes, volvos do give it some occasionally.lol) I use the auto box in drive (with the sport button) as it makes a much smoother change than I could and does it bang on the rev limiter.

 

Hope this helps

Jock- engines/gearboxs not really designed to do the braking on a constant high level of this type of use i.e. reverse forces. A lot cheaper to replace brake pads. Thats what they were designed for!

sorry, probably didnt make myself clear.

 

When I said engine braking, I was referring to an in traffic scenario, if in drive the box selects the highest gear and (certainly in the volvo) will carry a lot of momentum, which means you are constantly on the brakes and pissing of ther guy behind you. If, however you are locked in one of the lower gears, the engine is running restricted (in much the same way as you would select a lower gear for going downhill) and so , overall, you require less braking time.

 

Also, volvo themselves recommend this as the "preferred method" of restricting engine speed. In fact their "wet weather" position on the gear box does exactly the same thing, locking in a lower gear.

Jock - Restricting engine speed by locking lower gear.

I Think not - lower gear means higher revs for any gived road speed.

In difficult driving conditions - heavy rain, ice etc you should use highest gear possible, and short shift etc. and with an auto such as in the Zed put in hold which starts you off in 2nd.

Dont worry Jock, I understand what your saying, and I agree with you. Where the others are who knows, Just as long as they are happy.

 

LOL

cheers mark,

 

was beginning to think I was stupid (which is not to say that I am not):)

I just leave it in D all the time (O?Drive on uless i want to clog it then i turn O/Drive off) only ever put it in 2 by accident, one time i crapped myself as i noticed it wasnt changing like it normally does, till i looked down at the stick!!!

 

I may have used 1 on occasions for the odd quick turnaround!!

When I used to rebuild autos, which was many years ago, manually selecting first in some gearboxes wrapped the band around the clutch drum as well, (something it did not do in "auto" first) this made it stronger, hence better for max throttle getaways/towing etc.....

 

There is no question about it, manually shifting gears and backing off slightly as you do it is better for the box, I am not saying it is quicker/easier/better in any other way etc.

 

My mate Ken, auto trans specialist, drove mine the other day and made a point of sayiing about backing off on the two/three change as the clutch is too small really for the power.