When should you use first and second gears in an automatic transmission car?

Gears 1 and 2

• First and second gear selection in an automatic transmission vehicle do basically what they would do in a manual transmission vehicle. In some (usually older) vehicles, the shifter will manually actuate the transmission valve body, meaning you are manually selecting whichever gear you choose. In newer cars, you are merely telling the car what you would *like* it to do, and transmission computer will override this selection if you try to overspeed the engine.

Shifting *down* to second gear can help use the engine to slow the vehicle on long downgrades, but should not be used when going too fast already (check owner's manual for specific speed). Shifting *up* to second gear from a stop will usually cause the transmission to start accelerating in second gear. This will mean acceleration is greatly reduced, but will sometimes help with traction in slippery conditions, as there will be less torque going to the wheels.

Here is some other advice:

• When you are stuck or going down STEEP grades. Read the owners manual. (From another FAQ Farmer: this is a great answer however it should be noted that you almost never downshift wile moving over 3or4 mph.also low gears are for going very slow,pulling tralors,and going UP steep grades too. they work great when racing on very curvy roads or short tracks (not drag racing)...i have lived in snow country all my life and in my experience L1 tends to send too much tork to the drive weels cusing them to spin its best to use drive.)

• I don't know where you live and the climate there, but here in Chicago, I usually use these gears in the winter. When the transmission is in 'DRIVE', the tires tend to skid a lot, using '1' and '2' gears, the transmission acts as if you use the 1st gear on a manual transmission, giving you more traction and less skidding; same thing in muddy roads.

• You also use the lower gears when towing. also, if you put it in 1, you can floor it until it almost redlines, then bump into 2, and wait till it revs way up there, then knock it into the next gear. its almost like a manual transmission effect.

• "if you put it in 1, you can floor it until it almost redlines, then bump into 2, and wait till it revs way up there, then knock it into the next gear. its almost like a manual transmission effect." I would not reccomend doing this unless you want to cause costly damage to your transmission.

• Shifting auto transmissions is not a good thing, either you hold one gear, shift only up gears, or just keep it in drive.on most 1996 and newer transmissions they upshift all gears when brought to higher rpms.the computer overrides shift function so the engine wont blow up.regardless whether the shifter is in first gear it will still shift!

• first and second gear (1 & 2) are for when you need more power at the rear wheels. such as wen your puilling a trailer or want to do a good burnout. in the winter and other slick conditions you want to stay in drive, and when you come to a stop, shift your vehicle into Neutral. this keeps the wheels from pushing you through the intersection.

• When should you use them? Well, when you're at a stop light or before you accelerate, first turn OD off (if yours is 4spd). If 3spd, first, you flick the gear selector (if yours is floor mounted) to "1". Then you accelerate and max the RPM's to peak horsepower (up to like 40+ MPH). After you max them, move the selector to 2. Max the RPM's again to peak horsepower (like up to 75MPH). Then move it up to "D", or 3rd gear. After that, you can go to 4th gear (if you have a 4spd) by turning on OD or shifting selector to OD selection.

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