automatic question
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automatic question
<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/21917/432.jpg"></center><p>i got a '97 automatic quattro
what are the 4, 3, and 2 things for? when would i use them? could i do anything cool with this? would i be able to shift manualy? i dont know, im a big stupid.
what are the 4, 3, and 2 things for? when would i use them? could i do anything cool with this? would i be able to shift manualy? i dont know, im a big stupid.
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really only for upshifting...
the number indicates the highest gear it will hold at. For example, if you leave it on "3" it will shift automatically from 1-2-3 and stop there until you hit the rev limiter. Then it will downshift to 1 or 2 on its own as needed.
I don't suggest downshifting yourself though... although it probably locks you out from doing so. Only the tiptronic was designed so you can downshift.
I don't suggest downshifting yourself though... although it probably locks you out from doing so. Only the tiptronic was designed so you can downshift.
AudiWorld Member
Joined: Jun 2001
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downshifting would be more likely
I don't know about the article that zerominded is referring to, but I believe that the more typical application of utilizing the 4,3, or 2 mode would be when descending a downgrade.
At least that has been the usual use for the past 30 years. I don't know if your automatic is "smart" enough to downshift on downgrades on its own. My Prelude's Sequential Shift (please no flames, Prelude's are rare around here, couldn't find a used 5-sp, thought I'd try auto, yuck) is supposed to be, have never tried it here in the flatlands.
p.s. Flyer, read the owner's manual. I hope that Audi has a good manual. Domestic models manuals' suk.
At least that has been the usual use for the past 30 years. I don't know if your automatic is "smart" enough to downshift on downgrades on its own. My Prelude's Sequential Shift (please no flames, Prelude's are rare around here, couldn't find a used 5-sp, thought I'd try auto, yuck) is supposed to be, have never tried it here in the flatlands.
p.s. Flyer, read the owner's manual. I hope that Audi has a good manual. Domestic models manuals' suk.
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What they're for (according to VAG)
For hills and cornering situations where you want to limit your descent speed and increase ascent acceleration. For example, you're going down a steep, curvy mountain/hill. You could keep it in '3,' which means 3 will be the highest gear you go into, so you can use engine breaking and avoid burning out your brakes and/or warping your rotors. Personally, though, I think that it's cheaper to use your breaks heavily (short of burning them out, of course) and avoid ruining a costly auto transmission.
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AudiWorld Member
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who's VAG, and why doesn't he understand cars?
For starters, why would you need to limit the higher gears when you want to accelerate (ascend)? Won't the transmission downshift for you?
Regarding descending, you're not running the thing at redline, just treat it like you would a manual transmission. If you ride the brakes down a few 1000-ft descents, those brakes are going to start heating up and fading. Even if you don't take it to the extreme of 'burning them out", you may not have full braking available to you when you round that curve and find a Chevy broken down in the middle of the road.
I don't live in a hilly area, but when traveling those regions, I often see cars pulled over to the side at the end of long descents, because they rode their brakes all of the way down.
It always amazes me the number of people that are sure that they know better than the manufacturer of their car. RTFM.
Regarding descending, you're not running the thing at redline, just treat it like you would a manual transmission. If you ride the brakes down a few 1000-ft descents, those brakes are going to start heating up and fading. Even if you don't take it to the extreme of 'burning them out", you may not have full braking available to you when you round that curve and find a Chevy broken down in the middle of the road.
I don't live in a hilly area, but when traveling those regions, I often see cars pulled over to the side at the end of long descents, because they rode their brakes all of the way down.
It always amazes me the number of people that are sure that they know better than the manufacturer of their car. RTFM.
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New Member
Joined: Mar 2000
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This is pretty common knowledge...
You leave it in 3 or whatever going up hill so that the transmission won't hunt for a gear once it's already in 3rd. Once you're going 60mph up a hill or whatever, it's common for the tranny to shift you into 4th, making you slow way down, which requires you to push the gas down further to maintain the same speed. Yes, if you tromp on the gas, it'll downshift for you, but once you let up a little again, it'll put you right back in fourth. Basically, leaving it in 3rd will prevent the tranny from hunting between gears once you're up to speed.
Trust me...it's damn annoying. I used to drive the Grapevine out of LA in an underpowered 4 cyl Probe. Leaving it in D (same as 3, as mine was labelled OD, D, and L) was much easier on me, and probably the transmission as well.
Warren
Trust me...it's damn annoying. I used to drive the Grapevine out of LA in an underpowered 4 cyl Probe. Leaving it in D (same as 3, as mine was labelled OD, D, and L) was much easier on me, and probably the transmission as well.
Warren