Shifting speeds

Tiny
PCULQUI
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 BUICK REGAL
  • 3.8L
  • V6
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 118,000 MILES
How do I drive my car. When in drive, can I shift to first, second, third. Speed without putting the car in park?
Sunday, April 28th, 2019 AT 3:04 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,320 POSTS
Welcome to 2CarPros.

You can shift the vehicle manually by selecting lower range, but don't downshift from drive to 1st gear if you are driving at higher speeds. I have to be honest, I'm not 100% sure what you are asking. Can you be more specific with what you are trying to do?

Let me know,
Joe
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Sunday, April 28th, 2019 AT 9:02 PM
Tiny
PCULQUI
  • MEMBER
  • 354 POSTS
So I can shift the gears from drive to first. But what do you mean by high speeds, 60, 70 mph? And the same applies to second. And third gears from drive but at low speeds.
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Monday, April 29th, 2019 AT 5:00 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,320 POSTS
Welcome back:

Yes, you can downshift and up-shift if wanted, but you have to remember, the gear ratios are different. You can't go 70 in first gear without blowing up the engine. On the opposite side of things, you can't downshift into first from 70 without causing damage.

If you have ridden a bicycle with multiple gears, then you know in 1st gear, you can't go fast but you are able to climb hills easier. In 10th gear, you can go fast, but the force required to turn the pedals is higher and it is hard to go slow in that gear. A car's transmission is the same. First gear is for power at low speeds, second will go a bit faster with a slight loss of power and so on. I have no idea if that analogy even makes sense, but I'm trying. LOL

Let me know if that helps.

Joe
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Monday, April 29th, 2019 AT 6:27 PM

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