Auto taking long to shift??

[BonesOfSteel]

Hi Guys.
I have a 95TI Auto. I have 3 small questions. When I take off in the car in the morning I let me car warm up for like 30 seconds it's not that cold out and it seems to stay in 1st and 2nd for a long time unless I give it some gas and it does alright but shifts around 4000rpms.. Any advice? My second one was when I put it in sport mode 3rd in A you hear like a whinny sound but not when I put it in D and drive normal. My last question is I was following my father on the highway and I told him to slow down I was going 130km and he told me he was only going 118 on cruise. When I am driving 100km/h my rpms are at 2700 - 2800 can someone tell me if i am out?? Thanks for your help guys!!

[slacker]

Hey Bones,
My 95 started out as an auto too....now a 5sp, don't ask how much that costs! I got pretty good driving it with the auto, even on the track. Your 1st and 2nd shifts sound normal while Using "D" when it is cold. In "sport" mode A, you get more time in the gears from the start, to a higher RPM as well as not shifting beyond 3rd gear unless you shift to "D" which you must do to go to top gear. The "whinny" sound is RPMs dude.
The fastest starts are done in "sport" mode starting in 2nd, yes 2nd. It will start in first, shift to 2nd on its own, you shift to third near the redline, then "D" near the redline. If you don't, it will hit the rev limiter because it won't shift beyond 3rd when you shift it yourself. Use "M" manual only for downshifting. From "D" around 60mph, you can hit the "M" button and it will automaticly shift to 3rd. on it's own. Then you can select 2nd when the speed gets down, then on the way back up, hit the "A" button then shift the lever to 3rd. then "D" to go back up to 4th top gear. Takes some practice, but works better than you would think. Doesn't beat having the real deal though.
Gary

[clex2]

Bones,

the high rpm in the mornings you describe is normal. It's because the engine is cold and I believe this due to the computer holding each gear longer untill the engine is near or at operating temperature. I believe it helps warm up the engine faster for emissions purposes.

[CirrusSR22]

My auto does the same thing when it's cold. The shift are very delayed, compared to when it's warmed up.

I've heard (I might be WAY off) that this is programmed on purpose. Apparently the higher RPM's heat up the catalytic converter faster, thus reducing emissions.

[stormos]

mine has the same thing. ironic this post as i was just mentioning it to cali-ti ;)

[twomato]

Clex2 and CirrusSR22 are both correct. The computer is waiting to get a read from the 02 sensor that the cat has warmed up.

[BonesOfSteel]

Thanks for the replies guys.. I have one question. I find I am only getting about 325km on a tank of gas. I should be getting like 500km??? I changed the spark plugs, air filter, fuel filter, thermostat and put some fuel injector cleaner. I called the dealer I bought it from and they told me it might be my o2 but they did check it before they sold it to me and it was reading correct. I don't drive very fast either. Any other things I can do?

[Tyler]

I have an auto also and it revs higher in the morning to warm up the car quicker. Back in 01 when i purchased the car i noticed that and was told that is normal from a dealership.

[Dinan3]

Hey Bones,
My 95 started out as an auto too....now a 5sp, don't ask how much that costs! I got pretty good driving it with the auto, even on the track. Your 1st and 2nd shifts sound normal while Using "D" when it is cold. In "sport" mode A, you get more time in the gears from the start, to a higher RPM as well as not shifting beyond 3rd gear unless you shift to "D" which you must do to go to top gear. The "whinny" sound is RPMs dude.
The fastest starts are done in "sport" mode starting in 2nd, yes 2nd. It will start in first, shift to 2nd on its own, you shift to third near the redline, then "D" near the redline. If you don't, it will hit the rev limiter because it won't shift beyond 3rd when you shift it yourself. Use "M" manual only for downshifting. From "D" around 60mph, you can hit the "M" button and it will automaticly shift to 3rd. on it's own. Then you can select 2nd when the speed gets down, then on the way back up, hit the "A" button then shift the lever to 3rd. then "D" to go back up to 4th top gear. Takes some practice, but works better than you would think. Doesn't beat having the real deal though.
Gary

Isn't that the same as leaving it in "3" and just let it shift itself? Why would putting it in 2nd make it faster?

[robcarync]

because if it wont shift past 2nd, it stays in 1 and 2 longer meaning higher revs...if its in 3rd, it will shift from 2 to 3 sooner than if you wait and shift from 2 to three yourself

[Dinan3]

because if it wont shift past 2nd, it stays in 1 and 2 longer meaning higher revs...if its in 3rd, it will shift from 2 to 3 sooner than if you wait and shift from 2 to three yourself

I see. Where is the ideal rpm to shift in a drag race? Thanks.