# Automatic transmissions with "tap shifting"

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automatic-transmissions-with-tap-shifting/307341>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [June 7, 2005, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automatic-transmissions-with-tap-shifting/307341 "2005-06-07T19:43:42Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![sewalk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b3f665/32.png) [@sewalk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sewalk)\
**Post date:** [June 13, 2005, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automatic-transmissions-with-tap-shifting/307341/21 "2005-06-13T03:21:47Z")

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> [@Stan Doubt](#):
>
> Is there a fluid coupling between the engine and the gears? It’s a slush box.

So all fluid linkages are bad? That would include the viscous coupling found in many all wheel drive cars, like the Porsche 911 Carrera4 and Turbo models, as well as the Lamborghini Murcielago, and almost every vehicle in the Audi product line. Also the transfer case in Land Rover’s sport utilities.

Just because a device has a fluid coupling doesn’t mean that that coupling slips excessively.

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**Author:** ![Stan\_Doubt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/53a042/32.png) [@Stan\_Doubt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stan_Doubt)\
**Post date:** [June 13, 2005, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automatic-transmissions-with-tap-shifting/307341/22 "2005-06-13T04:42:17Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> Lockup torque converters don’t just operate at highway cruising speeds. Whenever engine speed exceeds the stall speed of the torque converter clutch, lockup occurs and slippage is eliminated, along with the fluid linkage you mention. The road speed of the vehicle is immaterial.

Nope. I’d _love_ to see a cite for a car that employs the lockup torque converter in 1st or 2nd gear. Maybe there is one or a few. But it’s damn uncommon I assure you.

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**Author:** ![Pushkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ee59a6/32.png) [@Pushkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pushkin)\
**Post date:** [June 13, 2005, 8:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automatic-transmissions-with-tap-shifting/307341/23 "2005-06-13T08:38:00Z")

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> [@sewalk](#):
>
> “Slushbox” as a generic term for automatic transmissions has persisted after the behavior the term was used to describe was engineered out

True, I call them slushboxes because I can’t stand the slurred way it seems to change gear and the sluggish performance it can give on smaller engined cars, not because of any mechanical know how.

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