Driving in 3rd

[midcoastme]

Originally Posted by PT_Sean

I think that when the final drive ratio exceeds 1:1, THAT is the over-drive gear!! Usually it IS the last gear.

So- do we all agree that by putting the auto in 3rd, it prevents the auto from shifting into OD???

Of course, that's why you put it in 3 to decend a steep grade, to take it out of overdrive and get some engine braking.

I've only had the Cruiser about 5 weeks, but I did notice that driving aroud 35mph on a level road, the tach was reading 2000 rpm, the same as if I was doing 55mph. When I moved the lever to 3, the revs actually dropped down to around 1700 or so. Maybe the trans in 4th was needing a bit more effort from the engine to maintain the lower speed since the lockup doesn't occur on mine until around 45mph.

My $0.02. (That's in USD)

[BraytonAK]

I've had my transmission get confused after a lot of 'hilly' driving. It would start engaging the torque converter at 35MPH or even less. It would take any chance you gave it to engage. My old Plymouth Breeze got confused the exact same way on the exact same road. Quite strange. Talk about a lack of power! haha

[Mark1]

Originally Posted by CruiserBoi

But I think you only really need the overdrive gear when you're going fast...

That is a common thought but wrong. I know what you mean though, Most people think is is just another gear for speeding down the road. But over a cartin speed with the lack of resistance ( read hill ) it will go into OD. Our new Scion will go into OD at about 30 mph if you are just idleing down the road. It is a technique to gain fuel efficency. In rear wheel drive cars yo can add a OD unit to the back of the transmition that you can activete at any point to double your gears. So for a 4 speed you could shift as follows....
First
First / OD
Second
Second / OD
Third
Third / OD
Fourth
Fourth / OD

and even have reverse and reverse with OD!!

[bigjim]

If you just put it in drive won't that be the same? Mine doesn't shift into over drive until it's get to around 43 miles an hour anyway. So what's the differance. If you want to play with the sound ,leave it in first gear. rev it up and let it back off. The sound is great.

[JOEM]

Kind of makes a person glad they have a manual.

[RallyDRock]

Originally Posted by JOEM

Kind of makes a person glad they have a manual.

sure does

[Bosch]

Originally Posted by JOEM

Kind of makes a person glad they have a manual.

Yep..

[Dad Man]

Originally Posted by JOEM

Kind of makes a person glad they have a manual.

Until you want to teach someone to drive or trade in... My first ride had the 4-on-the-floor and my first Japanese car had a five but I like automatics 'cause /\/\om_Lady likes to hold hands.

I think it's pretty well known that the 2.4 and the automatic are a bit of a mis-match. The engine wants to spin but the tranny wants to grunt it out. Still, it gets you there with either one.

Another day in Paradise...

Dad/\/\an

[JOEM]

Originally Posted by Dad Man

Until you want to teach someone to drive or trade in... My first ride had the 4-on-the-floor and my first Japanese car had a five but I like automatics 'cause /\/\om_Lady likes to hold hands.

I think it's pretty well known that the 2.4 and the automatic are a bit of a mis-match. The engine wants to spin but the tranny wants to grunt it out. Still, it gets you there with either one.

Always teach folks to drive with manuals, I say...just because if the urgent need arises, they can handle a stick.

I have an auto in my Ram HEMI 'cause it's my daily driver. It can be tough to live with a manual tranny on a vehicle you drive daily. I'll admit.

Yup, that four-banger loves to spin and the five-speed lets it. That's why there is a significant difference in response with a five-speed Cruiser as opposed to an automatic Cruiser.

[Dad Man]

Originally Posted by JOEM

Always teach folks to drive with manuals, I say...just because if the urgent need arises, they can handle a stick.

I have an auto in my Ram HEMI 'cause it's my daily driver. It can be tough to live with a manual tranny on a vehicle you drive daily. I'll admit.

Yup, that four-banger loves to spin and the five-speed lets it. That's why there is a significant difference in response with a five-speed Cruiser as opposed to an automatic Cruiser.

As injury prone as I am, I need a vehicle that can be aimed with one arm and one leg. For the immersion factor, the 'gestalt' of driving, a manual and a loud exhaust are my best friend. You may know that 5 speeds were on hold back in the day. That's not all, I went with the auto in part because to order a 5 speed would have been to admit to /\/\om_Lady that she was not going to get behind the wheel, ever! Heck, it was her turn to buy a car so, at least, I got her favorite color.

Oh well, I've got to go to re-hab/physical therapy in a little while as I had a run-in with a truck while riding my bike a couple weeks back. I'd like to think that there's a pretty nurse at the other end of the treatment table but it's some chrome-domed old doc. Darned HMO's!

Life's a cruise...

D/\/\