manuly shifting

[1999_pontiac_ssei]

is it hard on the trans to manual shift ..like take the car from 1st to 2nd or 3rd to 2nd and if it would not be hard on the transe what would be the pro/cons for doing this?

[BonneMe]

There is no reason to shift it manually unless you need to retain certain gears, and only road track racing/AutoX can have a benefit from this really. It's an electronically controlled transmission, but it's designed to work and shift a certain way.

It's also a 4 speed... the big torque and long gears really mean you can stay in the power a long time...

Why do you ask?

[00Beast]

Is it hard on it? Not really, it's designed for it, and even if you go from 4th to 1st it won't go to 1st until it can safely do so. Is it needed? Not really, but it can affect your gas mileage if you accidentally throw it in 3rd for 50 miles, lol.

[1999_pontiac_ssei]

the only reason im woundering is i thought i seen a post befor saying 4th gear is cr@py so if u go pass someone it would be better to put the car into 3rd wait untill a higher rpm then go inter drive...or was just me miss reading things?

[00Beast]

That is kind of true, but you can also force a downshift, then go full throttle, just using the gas pedal.

[1fatcat]

4th isn't designed to take a lot of power, but it should handle stock power fine. There are only 2 friction plates in the 4th clutch, as where the others use 4, 5 and 6 plates (depending on which clutch). The 4th input hub is a known problem on this tranny, the splines like to strip out. The new input hub has hardened splines to prevent this failure.
All that put aside, I would say the best thing you can do for your tranny is to drive it normal, let it shift itself, and don't treat it like a motocross dirt bike

[lewis26]

I use 2nd and 1st gear a lot in traffic, so I dont have to step on the brake.

I'm lazy.

[sonoma_zr2]

I pop down to third manually to pass all the time, mainly because it fells smoother and takes less pedal.

[LeSabre in Buffalo]

I let it do its thing. The skip-shifts from a tune help with that. When I need to get somewhere quickly doing 30-35, a 3-1 downshift is only a pedal press away...

[LeSabreUltra]

I let it do its thing. The skip-shifts from a tune help with that. When I need to get somewhere quickly doing 30-35, a 3-1 downshift is only a pedal press away...

Man, I miss that 3-1 downshift. It was so much fun. :sad5:
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[Allmachtige]

I use 2nd and 1st gear a lot in traffic, so I dont have to step on the brake.

I'm lazy.

That can really heat up the trans fast if you're doing "trans braking". Just use caution.

[repinS]

^ At the same time I notice on long hills with the transmission/engine doing the braking, coolant temps go down.