Hey guys quick question about my automatic trans on my 2000. It has the normal.

Park
reverse
neutral
drive
3
1 2


I was wondering what they 3 and 1/2 selections do. Thanks!

Afterthought, I tried searching, but didn't know what to search.

 

3= allows the trans to go from 1st-2nd-3rd w/o going into OD
1/2= allows the trans to go from 1st-2nd only.

 

1/2 will keep the trans from shifting higher than 2nd gear. 3 will not let it shift past third gear. Allows you to maintain lower gears when it's needed.

 

So you could in turn manually shift your auto trans? Or would that damage it? Also, would you want to tow in 3, or regular?

 

^ as they have said already. typically, you don't need to use these unless you are towing something, or find yourself stuck in a messy situation and a good low torque gearing is needed.

 

oh, and i'm a little lost on what you mean when you ask about "manually shift your auto trans?" it can't be done.

unless, you mean shift into these settings while on the fly, which is a huge resounding no, ESPECIALLY the 1-2 setting. you'll cook your trans in a flash.

 

Thats what i thought. Someone somewhere told me you could shift on the fly and it wouldn't hurt it, but that never sounded safe.

 

it's all relative to what speed you are going and the shift points on the trans. you could shift on the fly into the 3 setting, but i don't recommend doing it if you are going faster than 20mph. you are always best off shifting it to that position when you are stopped anyways. and the 1-2 setting should never be shifted to on the fly: i've heard horror stories that would make the most hardened, grizzled old man cry. the AW4 is a pretty good automatic, but you abuse it, just like anything, and they'll puke out on ya.