Oaktree
Super Member
And they needed it. Those cars were so light in the rear end you could get stuck in a puddle.
A lost Asset in Auto Transmissions
- Thread starter SandburRanch
- Start date
- Views: 16246
And they needed it. Those cars were so light in the rear end you could get stuck in a puddle.
HHR
Platinum Member
Was just out plowing snow with my friend's 2004 3/4 ton Silverado with Duramax/Allison combo. I can confirm that when you put the gearshift in "2", the transmission still starts out in 1st gear.
AchingBack
Veteran Member
I wonder why there is "2". It must be for looks on the knob, making the driver think he has something he doesn't.
MikePA
Super Moderator
I'd imagine if you drop it into 2 from 3 or D it will downshift to 2. It does on my 2004 K1500.
AchingBack
Veteran Member
Of course it does. I just think it's too bad you can't start out in 2. Many Ford vehicles, including my t-bird have the sgs feature. I wonder why the Silverado doesn't.
MinnesotaEric
Super Member
Everybody has traction control. Second gear isn't needed. Ford's traction control in snow and ice is really good as is Mercedes.
MikePA
Super Moderator
Then the '2' on the knob is not there just for looks nor to make the driver think he has something he doesn't. He has a second gear that he can downshift into, he just can't start in it. Like manual transmissions fading into the past, the idea of starting out in 2nd gear in an automatic transmission wouldn't occur to many people under 40, maybe even 30. As Eric has mentioned several times, it's been replaced by traction control in many vehicles.
jejeosborne
Veteran Member
Traction control is obviously the reason manufactures have omitted the option. Traction control in my f150 sucks on ice. The wheel has to spin before the system kicks in which melts a small layer of ice between it and the tire. When I first back out of my garage, the truck is still at high idle and wheel spin happens without even applying throttle.
Rear wheel drive vehicles have a disadvantage of the front brakes having more grab than the back brakes so as you let off the brakes, the rear wheel will spin before the front brakes have released. I have to shift to neutral going down my drive or the rear wheels will still push me and cause my front wheels to lock up when I brake. Advantages of this issue is that one can power brake and do a burn out without rolling forward.
Rear wheel drive vehicles have a disadvantage of the front brakes having more grab than the back brakes so as you let off the brakes, the rear wheel will spin before the front brakes have released. I have to shift to neutral going down my drive or the rear wheels will still push me and cause my front wheels to lock up when I brake. Advantages of this issue is that one can power brake and do a burn out without rolling forward.
AchingBack
Veteran Member
Put an asterisk before the word everybody. Try driving my '95 on snow and ice and you'll get a whole new definition of what you are calling traction control. It applies only if the vehicle is equipped with it, which mine is not. Therefore, he stays home when the roads are occasionally bad. I carry several bags of water softener salt in the trunk during fall and winter driving.