Ferrari Mailing List: NFC AT ALL!!! Automatic shifting in a GM

[LtWacko (LtWacko]

Again, NO Ferrari content but I figured I could get an answer from you  
guys...
 
I was riding in a 1996 Bonneville with a female friend.  While  driving, she 
would start in "D".  When we got up to speed (45mph), she  would "shift" the 
car into "D overdrive".  I said "what are you  doing?"  She said her long-time 
former ex-boyfriend said that it will make  the transmission last longer.  Now 
if it had been any other person, I would  have my doubts.  Her ex-boyfriend 
is one hell of a driver.  Corvette  enthusiast/hobby racer and the ENTIRE 
family was seriously involved with  the SCCA.  So, he's a car guy and it makes 
me 
wonder if there is any truth  or what are the origins of his advice.
 
I can sort of see some of the logic.  In the city, keeping it out of  
overdrive keeps the torque convertor from locking up at 45 mph and shifting in  
and 
out of it.  Is that any good?  Bad?  More harm in shifting it  yourself?  
Applies to GM transmissions only?  I vaguely remember this  advice being 
popular in 
the early eighties, but I was a puppy then....   okay, not quite .  
 
So guys, what do you think?
 
Thanks.
 
Rodney



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