Driving in 3rd

[BlueMeanie]

Good morning!

I have been experimenting with the way I drive the cruiser and I find that I can get better response out of the engine in city driving if I keep it in 3rd with an auto. It allows the engine to rev more between 3k-4k where the engine likes to drive. I also find that my milage has improved a bit, maybe 1-2mpg. Finally, my Borla fart pipe gives a nice low roar when I slow down. Is there any potential harm in driving the cruiser on 3rd?

Dan

[Ali N I]

Apart from the increase in average RPM no, no harm done.

[PT_Sean]

Originally Posted by BlueMeanie

Good morning!

I have been experimenting with the way I drive the cruiser and I find that I can get better response out of the engine in city driving if I keep it in 3rd with an auto. It allows the engine to rev more between 3k-4k where the engine likes to drive. I also find that my milage has improved a bit, maybe 1-2mpg. Finally, my Borla fart pipe gives a nice low roar when I slow down. Is there any potential harm in driving the cruiser on 3rd?

Dan

I am not 100% sure, but by putting it in 3rd, you are not allowing the tranny to shift into overdrive. It will still cycle through the 1-2-3 gears however.

[CruiserBoi]

Yup, that's right Sean. In any transmission, 3-4-5-6 speed, the final gear is the overdrive gear. But I think you only really need the overdrive gear when you're going fast...

[Air Ride PT]

Originally Posted by CruiserBoi

In any transmission, 3-4-5-6 speed, the final gear is the overdrive gear. But I think you only really need the overdrive gear when you're going fast...

Or through the streets of Flint

[BlueMeanie]

Note to self... on the way home from CTF, don't stop in Flint to fill up with gas.

[PT Glen]

Dan,
I had a 1990 Cougar automatic for 11 years with very few repairs. But I put it into O/D only on the highway. It wanted to change into O/D way too soon. I guess the engineers programmed the shift points for economy. Trouble was O/D was useless for passing or merging onto the highway unless you floored it to get the passing gear. There goes the economy!
Never noticed that annoying shift point with the PT. I got way better economy with the big Ford and the V6. Oh well , I can't see myself on a Cougar forum or painting flames on it either.

[PT_Sean]

Originally Posted by CruiserBoi

Yup, that's right Sean. In any transmission, 3-4-5-6 speed, the final gear is the overdrive gear. But I think you only really need the overdrive gear when you're going fast...

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???

[PT Glen]

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???

Works for me!

[PTGT Redman]

Ya.
Keeps the tranny from hunting so much in stop and go or slow driving. Holds rpm in more optimal range for speed.
Hate driving in auto in wife's car in slow traffic to have the 5spd auto drop me into 4th. rpm's are hanging above idle. with a/s i can keep it in the gear thats gonna give me the most on hand power.
hence, that's why I drive a manual, let me think instead of a computer.