2005 T-Bird - Use of Manual Shift (AKA Slap Shift)

[Cashmere Luv Brd]

I like to shift gears manually both up and down using the Slap Shift position

Questions -

1. Can constant use of this harm transmission (up and down shifting), assuming it is used correctly relative to car speed?

2. Can continual downshifting to assist braking harm it ?

I have of late been preferring to use it all the time to keep revs where I want them - From what I have seen these wonderful cars were never good on shift timing using D4 or D5 tending to up-shift shift way to soon unless under very hard acceleration .. ending in D4 or D5 far too soon and at low speed .. and staying there even when slowed down some .. at least mine sure is that way

(I confess it feels sportier too - and makes me feel in control - and can keep revs correct relative to speed)

I'm talking about reasonable speeds and driving, and maybe accelerating medium + at times but not testing the limits at all

Any thoughts from those who know appreciated

Ralph

[carntz]

IMHO
Question #1 Anything is possible and you are driving a car that is 15 years old. The reason it upshifts quicker than one might think is maybe they were concerned with gas economy.
Question #2 Using an automatic for downshift, well brakes are a whole lot cheaper than a trans rebuild.

I might add, the choice is of course still yours no matter what anyone ( including me) thinks

[007Cruiser]

Drive it like you stole it. You only live once!

[Cashmere Luv Brd]

IMHO
Question #1 Anything is possible and you are driving a car that is 15 years old. The reason it upshifts quicker than one might think is maybe they were concerned with gas economy.
Question #2 Using an automatic for downshift, well brakes are a whole lot cheaper than a trans rebuild.

I might add, the choice is of course still yours no matter what anyone ( including me) thinks

Thanks

I realize the brakes vs tranny concept, but if it reasonable downshifting does not harm it, that would not be an issue

I like to use it - up and down .. but only if I can establish if no harm is done

[Cashmere Luv Brd]

Drive it like you stole it. You only live once!

LOL

That is my intention and reasoning (well, within reason) .

Ford did put it there, so it's logical that it was put there to use

I just need to feel certain I'm not doing much harm

[hippy_mailman]

I would think that if you shift at the correct rpms that it could do no more harm that it shifting itself.
my biggest issue I am sad to say is I am so used to auto that if I go to sport shift I forget to shift and wonder why my motor is screaming like a banchi while only going 40 mph!!! THAT can be bad for sure

[Cashmere Luv Brd]

I would think that if you shift at the correct rpms that it could do no more harm that it shifting itself.
my biggest issue I am sad to say is I am so used to auto that if I go to sport shift I forget to shift and wonder why my motor is screaming like a banchi while only going 40 mph!!! THAT can be bad for sure

I understand. " like a banchi" LOL .. I kinda like to shift manually, so it works for me and I enjoy it.

Good point on shifting correct rpms . . .actually I find under low acceleration it upshifts too soon a lot left in Drive.
I also wanted to know about the effect of downshifting. One nice fellow who knows tranys said no problem on another forum . I guess I just want to be absolutely certain

Thanks for reply

[BirdsAndBugs]

I understand. " like a banchi" LOL .. I kinda like to shift manually, so it works for me and I enjoy it.

Good point on shifting correct rpms . . .actually I find under low acceleration it upshifts too soon a lot left in Drive.
I also wanted to know about the effect of downshifting. One nice fellow who knows tranys said no problem on another forum . I guess I just want to be absolutely certain

Thanks for reply

The Thunderbird is no sports car. I've found the manual shift mode to be pretty pointless overall except when on some downgrades. Maybe a car with a manual tranmission and a clutch like a Mazda Miata would be a better fit for you.

[Cashmere Luv Brd]

NOPE!!!

We love our pretty girl more than any car on the road

Not talkin high revs and tires squealing .. Just want to control when it shifts and not end up in traffic at 20 mph in 5th gear etc.

Sides, I like doing it that way and that's all that matters

Simply wanted to be sure it would not hurt her

[Frank Dreano]

Sounds like you've already made up your mind to do it; I don't know anyone else that does so you may be the first to discover long-term effects of doing it as a routine during driving.

"Driving like you stole it" is fine as long as you're prepared to deal with the possible consequences; like the potential to wear out/break a part made from "unobtanium". I drive and have owned many classic cars and this is an ever-present concern. At the end of the day its your car so do as you see fit....

Frankly, the slap/paddle shifts are just not the same as having a third pedal. I can do both anytime I want and there's no comparison.

I don't know why my prior post on this got deleted..

[Brad]

My first 02 I drove pretty aggressively including downshifting, lots of WOT and had to replace the transmission at 25k miles. On my 03 the trans went at 70k miles. On my current 02 I try to limit my aggressive driving. My opinion is that the design defects of these transmissions leads to premature failure. On a positive note the defects can be mitigated during a good rebuild

[007Cruiser]

If I’m not mistaken, the transmission is widely used by Ford. That would make parts available.

[BillyL]

It is your car so drive it like you want to. Just keep us posted on the results. I see our cars as boulevard cruisers, not street legal race cars. I would be concerned over revving with aggressive manual shifting will have other negative outcomes besides transmission problems.

[Elky64]

I often drive around in the d4 when I'm on side or a secondary roads. It doesn't shift into overdrive and I would compromise from manually shifting. The tranny supposedly learns your driving habits and shifts according to that. Also when I'm descending I will often drive drop it out of overdrive by using D4 or kicking it over to the manuals shift side.
just my 2 cents.....

[Frank Dreano]

Shifting out of overdrive and into lower gears on long or repetitive mountain downgrades vs over-heating your brakes is a wise use of the manual shift features. Also when towing or hauling loads (not very applicable to these cars) is another justification.