Basic Auto Transmission
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Member
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 32
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From: New Orleans, LA
Basic Auto Transmission
Hey all,
I've driven manual transmissions for 12 years, and never have owned an automatic... I pull a 19ft boat every week, so I needed the big engine, but the 5.4 only comes in auto. I guess I better learn a little more about the option...
I was just wondering what the 1 and 2 was for? Does this mean you will only be driving in 1 or 2 gears? I know now that regular drive is 3 gears and OD is 4, but when would you use the others?
Also, when you are driving down the road, can you shift between OD, D and maybe the other two?
Just learning about my new truck (just took delivery today)...
Thanks a lot!
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'INTIMIDATOR' Black 99.5 F150 XLT R/C, SS, 5.4L V8, 3.55 LS, Keyless Entry, 4W Disk Brakes, Sl Rear Window, Trailer Towing Pkg, P255 OWL, Cast Aluminum Wheels.
Soon to come: Line-X, Tinted Windows, Superchip, Flowmaster, Airaid.
I've driven manual transmissions for 12 years, and never have owned an automatic... I pull a 19ft boat every week, so I needed the big engine, but the 5.4 only comes in auto. I guess I better learn a little more about the option...
I was just wondering what the 1 and 2 was for? Does this mean you will only be driving in 1 or 2 gears? I know now that regular drive is 3 gears and OD is 4, but when would you use the others?
Also, when you are driving down the road, can you shift between OD, D and maybe the other two?
Just learning about my new truck (just took delivery today)...
Thanks a lot!
------------------
'INTIMIDATOR' Black 99.5 F150 XLT R/C, SS, 5.4L V8, 3.55 LS, Keyless Entry, 4W Disk Brakes, Sl Rear Window, Trailer Towing Pkg, P255 OWL, Cast Aluminum Wheels.
Soon to come: Line-X, Tinted Windows, Superchip, Flowmaster, Airaid.
Member
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 40
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From: Olahoma City OK USA
I really haven't found a real use for the "1" position yet---it is probably useful for 4x4's off-roading [mine's a 4x2]; it might be good for farm usage, if you want to creep along slowly. The "2" position I have found useful, though; it's good in slippery conditions, because it'll allow the truck to start out in 2nd gear.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 1998
Posts: 300
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From: Meridian, Id.
RedMan, You are better of with the automatic now days. The tranny is best used in drive (OD off) when pulling a heavy load or when it wants to shift to and from overdrive. This is important be cause "hunting" will create heat wich can damage the tranny.
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97 F-150 4.6 auto, 4x2, 3.55 LS, trailer tow pkg, ABM with K&N, Dynomax Super Turbo exhaust.
Oh yeah, it's Oxford White with crome wheels, Legacy shell & custom grill.
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97 F-150 4.6 auto, 4x2, 3.55 LS, trailer tow pkg, ABM with K&N, Dynomax Super Turbo exhaust.
Oh yeah, it's Oxford White with crome wheels, Legacy shell & custom grill.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 249
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From: Kissimmee, Florida, United States
Jerry D,
with the shift selector in 2nd, the trans will allways start in 1st then shift to 2nd and no higher.
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'97 F-250 L/D Lariat S/C, 4x4, 5.4, E4OD automatic, 3.73 gears, 4 wh. ABS and 4 wh. disk brakes, gray leather interior,keyless entry w/alarm, outside: white w/gray rocker section, sliding rear window, tow package. Mods- Ford running boards, Ford ventsahdes, Color-matched bug deflector, AVS tail light covers, Tuff Liner bed liner, unknown brand of cat-back exhaust system (previous owner installed).
with the shift selector in 2nd, the trans will allways start in 1st then shift to 2nd and no higher.
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'97 F-250 L/D Lariat S/C, 4x4, 5.4, E4OD automatic, 3.73 gears, 4 wh. ABS and 4 wh. disk brakes, gray leather interior,keyless entry w/alarm, outside: white w/gray rocker section, sliding rear window, tow package. Mods- Ford running boards, Ford ventsahdes, Color-matched bug deflector, AVS tail light covers, Tuff Liner bed liner, unknown brand of cat-back exhaust system (previous owner installed).
Thread Starter
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Member
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 32
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From: New Orleans, LA
Thanks guys!
A friend told me he uses '1' to pull his boat out of the water... like a granny gear. That would work for me.
I'll experiment a little just to see how my truck acts in the different gears and go from there...
Thanks again!
By the way... automatics sure are nice! I feel like I'm driving a luxury car with a lot of kick!
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'INTIMIDATOR' Black 99.5 F150 XLT 4X2, R/C, SS, 5.4L V8, 3.55 LS, Keyless Entry, 4W Disk Brakes, Sl Rear Window, Trailer Towing Pkg, P255 OWL, Cast Aluminum Wheels.
Soon to come: Line-X, Tinted Windows, Superchip, Flowmaster, Airaid.
A friend told me he uses '1' to pull his boat out of the water... like a granny gear. That would work for me.
I'll experiment a little just to see how my truck acts in the different gears and go from there...
Thanks again!
By the way... automatics sure are nice! I feel like I'm driving a luxury car with a lot of kick!
------------------
'INTIMIDATOR' Black 99.5 F150 XLT 4X2, R/C, SS, 5.4L V8, 3.55 LS, Keyless Entry, 4W Disk Brakes, Sl Rear Window, Trailer Towing Pkg, P255 OWL, Cast Aluminum Wheels.
Soon to come: Line-X, Tinted Windows, Superchip, Flowmaster, Airaid.
Member
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 40
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From: Olahoma City OK USA
Iggy'
I'm not trying to start an argument or anything, but after reading your post, I wanted to make sure I wasn't hallucinating....I put my truck in the "2" position,, and sure enough..it started out in 2nd gear and stayed there,never shifting until I put the selector in "D". I tried it again later... same thing. Maybe the 4R70W in my truck is messed up? If anybody else out there has an automatic, please shed some light on this. My Aerostar started out in 2nd w/ the selector in "2" as well, the owner's manual even mentioned it. It is an advantage during an ice storm to sart in 2nd, as it reduces wheelspin slightly...
I'm not trying to start an argument or anything, but after reading your post, I wanted to make sure I wasn't hallucinating....I put my truck in the "2" position,, and sure enough..it started out in 2nd gear and stayed there,never shifting until I put the selector in "D". I tried it again later... same thing. Maybe the 4R70W in my truck is messed up? If anybody else out there has an automatic, please shed some light on this. My Aerostar started out in 2nd w/ the selector in "2" as well, the owner's manual even mentioned it. It is an advantage during an ice storm to sart in 2nd, as it reduces wheelspin slightly...
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Joined: Mar 1998
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From: Virginia
Dear Jerry D,
Yes, you are quite correct in that if you put your late-model Ford electronically-controlled automatic into "2", that's all you get, is second gear. If you select "1", then first gear is all you get. It's the same way in my owner's manual, even with traction control systems, if you start in "2", you get only second gear, so it's good for driving in low traction conditions, at least for getting started.
It used to be if you selected "2", you'd get first gear, followed by second, and it usually upshifted *later* by doing this, and firmer, especially on GM vehicles. Not any more!
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Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
Yes, you are quite correct in that if you put your late-model Ford electronically-controlled automatic into "2", that's all you get, is second gear. If you select "1", then first gear is all you get. It's the same way in my owner's manual, even with traction control systems, if you start in "2", you get only second gear, so it's good for driving in low traction conditions, at least for getting started.
It used to be if you selected "2", you'd get first gear, followed by second, and it usually upshifted *later* by doing this, and firmer, especially on GM vehicles. Not any more!
------------------
Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com