Always Torque Converting

[Compaq888]

Originally Posted by rh77

So, I parked the Teg at the airport for 4-5 days and came back to 75-degree weather. The coolant temp was soon up to 195F, and nuthin. 10 miles up the highway, nuthin. Speed constantly at 57, nuthin. 20-minutes later finally, ka-thump: TC. What else does it need??? I've become obsessed with this hyrdraulically-controlled tranferrer of rotating energy.

I understand why it's there -- it's like overdrive without an extra gear. Why not have it engaged at speeds above 10 mph (so the car doesn't stall)? Will the full lock-up kill the tranny during shifts? I think Saturn auto's lock-up in 2nd gear (an SL2 drove and shifted "funny" when I borrowed one). It was definitely the TC working it's "magic".

RH77

you can't put it in overdrive too soon. The car doesn't make enough torque below. My overdrive starts at 1250rpm and there is almost no torque till 50mph.(1750rpm)

The problem is we only have 4 gears. With more gears the car stays at lower rpm. I had a chance to drive the 07 camry v6 with 6 speed auto tranny. It stayed below 1500rpm the whole time on the streets. Even though it was at lower rpm it accelarated very quick. At 3000rpm it ripped like a raped ape. So if you want to spend less gas and want lower rpm you got to have more gears. 4 gears is just not enough for fuel economy on the street and freeway. It's only good enough for one.