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I never downshift to first even for engine breaking, every one of these cars ive had i can feel the driveshaft buck and the trans whine when going from 2-1.. i would assume this has something to due with lockup but im obviously no expert. Ive only really every downshifted with the od button letting it go from 4-3 and only have ever gone to 2nd downshifting on hills/ pulls but never first unless ive came to a stop. I have a really bad habit of upshifting but i was under the impression its not nearly as bad for lockup/ line pressure vs downshifting. So i almost never downshift but i am curious how my shifting from D-2 to chirp the tires treats a 4r70w.. ive seen others call it a "redneck jmod" i would assume its not the best thing to do, but assuming the fluid/filter/accumulator change goes well it will shift plenty quick without me having to touch the shifter along with a tune. It only has to last until i can buy a better converter/ rebuild kit/ mk8 driveshaftMakes me think how many of us love the "analog" feel of these cars compared to more modern vehicles (which would simply disregard a shift input that would be harmful).
My '15 Buick would display the message "Shift Denied" if you attempted anything stupid.
That's another reason why I'd prefer a gated or serpentine type shifter where you have to move the shifter sideways, then back/forward.
The lock button shifter seems more secure, and theoretically it is designed to prevent unwanted shifts: to shift into 1st, you have to push the button in further than to shift into 2nd only. In reality, you just push the button in all the way, so that difference doesn't matter.
Of course all that doesn't matter if you intentionally shift into 1st. I don't think I've ever done that; the engine braking is so obnoxious in 1st. I do use the locked in 2nd pretty regularly in parking lots just to prevent constant back and forth shifting between 1st and 2nd gear.
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