Manually Downshifting an A4...Are you brave enough??
TECH Addict
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,056
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
Re: Manually Downshifting an A4...Are you brave enough?? dood...sounds like youd like to buy a six speed to me.....OR.....you can always spray the car and ALWAYS have an extra kick.... <img src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" border="0">
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,080
Likes: 0
From: HP Illinoiz
Re: Manually Downshifting an A4...Are you brave enough?? [quote]Originally posted by minty:
<strong>dood...sounds like youd like to buy a six speed to me.....OR.....you can always spray the car and ALWAYS have an extra kick.... <img src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" border="0"> </strong><hr></blockquote>
Spray? Nawwwww...
Its 'stock'...You should no better than that! <img src="gr_grin.gif" border="0">
<strong>dood...sounds like youd like to buy a six speed to me.....OR.....you can always spray the car and ALWAYS have an extra kick.... <img src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" border="0"> </strong><hr></blockquote>
Spray? Nawwwww...
Its 'stock'...You should no better than that! <img src="gr_grin.gif" border="0">
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 652
Likes: 0
From: Newport Coast, Ca
Re: Manually Downshifting an A4...Are you brave enough?? Pretty much what some people have said:
1.) its an auto, let it do the shifting by itself
2.) if you want to go through the gears, trade in the A4 and get a 6M <img src="gr_grin.gif" border="0">
I personally would not do that to my car. Those lower gears in our cars ( i.e. 1st and 2nd) are not intented for the sole purpose of downshifting (someone correct me if im wrong)
1.) its an auto, let it do the shifting by itself
2.) if you want to go through the gears, trade in the A4 and get a 6M <img src="gr_grin.gif" border="0">
I personally would not do that to my car. Those lower gears in our cars ( i.e. 1st and 2nd) are not intented for the sole purpose of downshifting (someone correct me if im wrong)
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,055
Likes: 0
From: Chi-Town
Re: Manually Downshifting an A4...Are you brave enough?? this is coming from someone who worked at a trans shop for 2 years
you CAN do this but rest assured you are going to break your planetary gears SOON
what happens is, when you downshift into first gear you are SHOCKING the planetary gears inside the tranny (these are the things that make your gearing in your tranny first gear is 3.06) which isn't good.
When you shock these gears, which btw ARE NOT STRAIGHT CUT GEARS but are HELICAL CUT the teeth are EASILY ripped right off. They are weak and dont take too much to break
right now you are playing with fire jim and eventually you'll get burned. The gears kinda go when they want to
hope that is what you were looking for
you CAN do this but rest assured you are going to break your planetary gears SOON
what happens is, when you downshift into first gear you are SHOCKING the planetary gears inside the tranny (these are the things that make your gearing in your tranny first gear is 3.06) which isn't good.
When you shock these gears, which btw ARE NOT STRAIGHT CUT GEARS but are HELICAL CUT the teeth are EASILY ripped right off. They are weak and dont take too much to break
right now you are playing with fire jim and eventually you'll get burned. The gears kinda go when they want to
hope that is what you were looking for
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,080
Likes: 0
From: HP Illinoiz
Re: Manually Downshifting an A4...Are you brave enough?? [quote]Originally posted by JimmyKash:
<strong>this is coming from someone who worked at a trans shop for 2 years
you CAN do this but rest assured you are going to break your planetary gears SOON
what happens is, when you downshift into first gear you are SHOCKING the planetary gears inside the tranny (these are the things that make your gearing in your tranny first gear is 3.06) which isn't good.
When you shock these gears, which btw ARE NOT STRAIGHT CUT GEARS but are HELICAL CUT the teeth are EASILY ripped right off. They are weak and dont take too much to break
right now you are playing with fire jim and eventually you'll get burned. The gears kinda go when they want to
hope that is what you were looking for</strong><hr></blockquote>
Thanks!!!
At what speed should I really be concerned?
Would manually dropping down..at say..25mph still be ok?
[ February 03, 2002: Message edited by: DóòD ]</p>
<strong>this is coming from someone who worked at a trans shop for 2 years
you CAN do this but rest assured you are going to break your planetary gears SOON
what happens is, when you downshift into first gear you are SHOCKING the planetary gears inside the tranny (these are the things that make your gearing in your tranny first gear is 3.06) which isn't good.
When you shock these gears, which btw ARE NOT STRAIGHT CUT GEARS but are HELICAL CUT the teeth are EASILY ripped right off. They are weak and dont take too much to break
right now you are playing with fire jim and eventually you'll get burned. The gears kinda go when they want to
hope that is what you were looking for</strong><hr></blockquote>
Thanks!!!
At what speed should I really be concerned?
Would manually dropping down..at say..25mph still be ok?
[ February 03, 2002: Message edited by: DóòD ]</p>
Re: Manually Downshifting an A4...Are you brave enough?? I don't think I manually downshift to 1st anymore with my car since I don't think I could do it any higher than that 30mph. That's still a lot of rpms. Put it to you this way, my new 1-2 shift will be around 38mph... that's like 6600 rpms. <img src="gr_stretch.gif" border="0">
Is it possible to blow some sort of pump?
Is it possible to blow some sort of pump?
TECH Resident
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 958
Likes: 0
From: Aurora Il
Re: Manually Downshifting an A4...Are you brave enough?? [quote]Originally posted by JimmyKash:
<strong>right now you are playing with fire jim and eventually you'll get burned.
</strong><hr></blockquote>
Well since he lives "south of Hell" I think he`ll be allright..
<img src="graemlins/gr_devil.gif" border="0" alt="[devil]" /> <img src="graemlins/gr_devil.gif" border="0" alt="[devil]" /> <img src="graemlins/gr_devil.gif" border="0" alt="[devil]" />
<strong>right now you are playing with fire jim and eventually you'll get burned.
</strong><hr></blockquote>
Well since he lives "south of Hell" I think he`ll be allright..
<img src="graemlins/gr_devil.gif" border="0" alt="[devil]" /> <img src="graemlins/gr_devil.gif" border="0" alt="[devil]" /> <img src="graemlins/gr_devil.gif" border="0" alt="[devil]" />
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine
Verdad Gallardo
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin
Verdad Gallardo
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo TECH Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,055
Likes: 0
From: Chi-Town
Re: Manually Downshifting an A4...Are you brave enough?? [quote]Originally posted by DóòD:
<strong>
Thanks!!!
At what speed should I really be concerned?
Would manually dropping down..at say..25mph still be ok?
[ February 03, 2002: Message edited by: DóòD ]</strong><hr></blockquote>
dont know, like i said its risky because the planets are seeing a sudden shock, but at that low of a speed i wouldn't be TOO worried since at 15 or 20mph if kickdowns to 1st gear automatically anyway
<strong>
Thanks!!!
At what speed should I really be concerned?
Would manually dropping down..at say..25mph still be ok?
[ February 03, 2002: Message edited by: DóòD ]</strong><hr></blockquote>
dont know, like i said its risky because the planets are seeing a sudden shock, but at that low of a speed i wouldn't be TOO worried since at 15 or 20mph if kickdowns to 1st gear automatically anyway
Teching In
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: PA
Re: Manually Downshifting an A4...Are you brave enough?? Hell, racing is not recommended and tough on your car, but I don't see too many people following that recommendation. Going fast breaks stuff. If you want to win races and/or impress your friends you gotta catch the lowest gear manually if the computer won't do it for you. Speeds at 45-50mph or lower I always catch first. Speeds at 95mph or less I always put it in second to hold the gear if I happen to let off the gas. I don't want the car to constantly up and down shift. My formula (A4 w/ 2.73s) feels like a 4cylinder at 30mph in 2nd. My car right now is totally stock. If and when I get a converter I won't downshift manually so much depending on the performance of the converter. For now I just get my rpm's mechanically through gears instead of through the converter. With an auto you get the best of both worlds. You can shift when you want and in traffic you can just leave it in drive. My 2001 gives me full manual control over the 1-2 shift. I love it for going around corners, sharp bends, or passing people. If you happen to do a 60mph 1st gear downshift the tranny should lock you out of first. If it doesn't somethings wrong. When messing around just be carefull and use good judgement.
