Hey guys I was playing around with shifting from drive to 2nd to low on my 06 rolla le tonight. Can I shift to low or 2nd for a min or two then back to drive off and on a little bit and can I run low or 2nd in heavy traffic for a while. Basically low gear for a min or so then back to drive, and low or 2nd at 20 or so mph then back to drive. and will it cause any damage if I do this daily.
I say always best to leave the shifting to the tranny. Besides... if its heavy traffic and youre going really slow why would it be shifting past 2nd anyway?
Auto trannys were designed for lots of shifting, it wont hurt it a bit... although you could leave it in L or 2 for whatever time interval you want, as long as you keep from rpms that are just too high. Safest bet is to leave it in D and that will put the least stress on it.
Also remember that putting it in "2" on the auto gearbox doesnt mean the car is locked in 2nd. It just means it won't shift past 2nd gear. (Just like D uses all gears, D O/D off wont shift past third, and low wont shift past first (locked in first).)
I say always best to leave the shifting to the tranny. Besides... if its heavy traffic and youre going really slow why would it be shifting past 2nd anyway?
Auto trannys were designed for lots of shifting, it wont hurt it a bit... although you could leave it in L or 2 for whatever time interval you want, as long as you keep from rpms that are just too high. Safest bet is to leave it in D and that will put the least stress on it.
If you're going like 60mph and shifting to second I'd imagine it's doign more harm than good. Aslong as the rev's arn't high while you manually have your cars in those gears it should be okay..but like Ukranian said..why bother?
ok tell me if this is right I think i figured it out but want to make sure..
low gear- stuck in really heavy traffic for a few miles or so (crusing along at 10 or 15 MPH) or going down a really steep hill...
2nd gear- heavy traffic- 25 0r 30 MPH or going down a steep hill...
O/D off- crusiing along 45 or 50 MPH in traffic and use engine power to stay back instead of brakes all the time or slow down going down a hill or need power going up a hill... like driving a manual in 2nd or 3rd gear...
^^ all under 4k rpms, highest rpm lil over 3
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Last edited by ToyotaMan1281; 01-07-2006 at 09:34 PM.
ok tell me if this is right I think i figured it out but want to make sure..
low gear- stuck in really heavy traffic for a few miles or so (crusing along at 10 or 15 MPH) or going down a really steep hill...
2nd gear- heavy traffic- 25 0r 30 MPH or going down a steep hill...
O/D off- crusiing along 45 or 50 MPH in traffic and use engine power to stay back instead of brakes all the time or slow down going down a hill or need power going up a hill... like driving a manual in 2nd or 3rd gear...
^^ all under 4k rpms, highest rpm lil over 3
Those points all depend on your car, you have to figure them out for yourself.
Idk if the new Corollas are 5-spd auto or 4-spd auto, but if its 4-spd auto you have it about right I'd guess. Remember though if you're in 2nd and rolling not giving it gas (not even down a hill) its gonna be harder for the car to go past 30 or so than if you let it use all gears. I'm just saying that sometimes you might be "engine braking" when you dont want to.
I downshift on hills sometimes, but for heavy traffic and all other times, I'd just leave it in D w/e.
I was going to try doing this myself, as there is a very steep hill coming off the expressway that I have to take each morning, and when it's very icy or snowy, I hate coming down that hill from 50-60 mph and having to hit the brakes (many cars have slid off that offramp).
Can you downshift all at once or do you have to downshift slowly (one gear at a time)? For some reason I've always been afraid to shift gears (guess I thought it would mess the gears up somehow) - dumb I know since that's why those shift options are there!
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2004 Toyota Sienna LE (Silver)
2006 Toyota Corolla S (Silver)
it's very icy or snowy, I hate coming down that hill from 50-60 mph and having to hit the brakes (many cars have slid off that offramp).
Can you downshift all at once or do you have to downshift slowly (one gear at a time)? For some reason I've always been afraid to shift gears (guess I thought it would mess the gears up somehow) - dumb I know since that's why those shift options are there!
Why go that fast when you know it's icy or snowy ?
To answer your question. I wouldn't downshift if it's that slippery out there. You will just upset the balance and grip of the drive wheels. You might end up causing your drive wheels to lose traction upon downshifting.
My suggestion--- Just slow down on icy conditions.
Why go that fast when you know it's icy or snowy ?
To answer your question. I wouldn't downshift if it's that slippery out there. You will just upset the balance and grip of the drive wheels. You might end up causing your drive wheels to lose traction upon downshifting.
My suggestion--- Just slow down on icy conditions.
Those points all depend on your car, you have to figure them out for yourself.
Idk if the new Corollas are 5-spd auto or 4-spd auto, but if its 4-spd auto you have it about right I'd guess. Remember though if you're in 2nd and rolling not giving it gas (not even down a hill) its gonna be harder for the car to go past 30 or so than if you let it use all gears. I'm just saying that sometimes you might be "engine braking" when you dont want to.
I downshift on hills sometimes, but for heavy traffic and all other times, I'd just leave it in D w/e.
ok thanks man. Just wanted to make sure i wasnt messing things up. and yes its a 4 speed auto.
Actually I was thinking of buying the XRS corolla but I drive in a good amt of traffic everyday to school and stuff so decided to go auto. Plus after having 2 manuals it was time for a change. But I might just get manual next time- depends on where I am driving...
Toyota recommends (at least it says it in the Camry's manual) that you shouldn't drive for more than five miles in "2" or "L" because it can possibly harm the transmission/engine. Just so you know...
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1999 Toyota Camry LE 4-cylinder
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