Questions about Auto tranny D 1 2 gears

[messiveian]

i didnt know where to put this so i figured here.
I dont have a manual for my car so i have no clue what the different gears are for and i searched and couldnt find anything.
I have a 95 Grand Am Se
2.3L
Auto tranny

IIRC this is a 3 speed tranny correct?
What is the difference between D 1 and 2 on the shifter
Also is it bad to shift it while driving?

thanks

[RocketFast321]

IF it says PRND21 then it a three speed. If it put i in 1 the car will not leave first. With it in 2 it will go into 1st and 2en. Only time i shift my auto if i want my car to go into 3rd.

[carlover626]

Those gears can be helpful when driving up/down a mountain or large hill so that you wont shift to the next gear. It can maintain power going uphill or engine braking downhill.

As long as you are not trying to shift it like a manual tranny from 1-2-D you should be okay to utilize the gears while driving. I use 3 when I am driving up the highway to the mountains here in CO, cause if it shifts into 4 (I have a 4spd. tranny) then I will not keep the 65 MPH speed. Once I am on a flat road again I move it into D (or 4th).

[Nighthawk243]

Don't shift it like a manual unless you want a dead or wounded tranny.

[messiveian]

ok thanks so if i only want it to shit into first and second i want to put it into 2 is it like that?
but what would be the purpose of doing that other than going down a hill? Why wouldnt i just want to keep it in D?

[rixGAphx]

Originally posted by messiveian
ok thanks so if i only want it to shit into first and second i want to put it into 2 is it like that?
but what would be the purpose of doing that other than going down a hill? Why wouldnt i just want to keep it in D? If you're descending a VERY steep hill, especially in mud or snow, you want to keep the car speed within reason, say under 50 mph, by shifting down into 2 and using engine braking to keep the car slow.
That way you don't need to ride or tap the brakes, and possibly throw the tail out during a turn.

When CLIMBING that same steep, muddy/snowy hill, you prolly want to keep the car down in 1, speed less than 20, so you get the greater torque/pulling power of the low gear and prevent the tranny from upshifting as it wants to.

Do NOT shift down from D all the way to FIRST in an 'emergency stop' condition as you might do with a 4- or 5-speed manual.
The GA will let you do this, but only once; then you gotta go buy a new tranny :eek:

[Nighthawk243]

Yep. Hitting the brakes in bad weather is a common, but bad habit of many people. When I am in bad snow, I avoid the brakes as much as possible. I'd rather get pulled over than end up in a slide. Tapping the brakes in bad snow can easily spin you if you don't have ABS.

[ENGGUY]

The 4T60-E Hydramatic Transmission is a 4 speed unit.
They are 4 speed, the 4th gear being an overdrive, with lockup torque converters. E designates it is electronicly controlled.
If you go under the car the numbers are embossed on the fluid pan of the transmissiion.
It does not hurt the transmission in anyway to shift it manually.
You just don't want to be going to fast on down shifts to the lower gears. When depressing the accelerator to the floor when in the top gears in D it will down shift automaticly for passing.
I have manually down shifted many times in automatic transmissions going 60 plus mph, as a manual override to passing gear. I have rebuilt many different brands of automatic transmissions so I know a bit about them.

[carlover626]

Thats great information to know!