Another thread made me think of this. I very often shift my 3 speed auto manually (long story there) and I’m wondering if that can cause trouble for me in the future. I have heard (from a less than credible source) that this can harm your car, and I’d love to know if its true. Thanks!
As long as you shift at or near the correct engine RPM, no dammage will be done.
If you make the mistake of thinking you have a FOUR speed, and shift into neutral at high engine speed, engine damage could happen.
Take care.
I have done it up to 170,000 miles - finally dies of a busted timing belt. Also I pushed it a bit. Speed range was 25 mph for 1st, 45 for second according to the owners manual - I took 1st up to 45 and 2nd up to 65 - apx 4500 - 5000 rpm’s.
Also 25 was the limit stated for reverse - yea right
I didn’t know it was possible to change gears in an automatic?
Tell us your long story.
Many hard core drag racers who use automatic transmissions have modified them so they can only be shifted manually, and those guys are running way more horsepower than most people use on the street. It doesn’t much matter whether the gears are shifted automatically or through the shifter; both do exactly the same thing as far as the parts that wear out are concerned. If you don’t accidently shift it into neutral or reverse (real concerns if you forget which gear you’re in), things should be OK.