Does it hurt an automatic car to drive 65-70mph in 1? Does it shift automatically when it isn’t in D or (D)?
Karen asked:
My little sister borrowed my 1996 Buick LeSabre without asking and I found out she was going 70mph on the highway in 1. I always drive in (D) because that’s what I was told to drive in when I first got it. She even admitted that the engine got really loud. I’m so worried, but it sounds ok driving it after that. Please help!
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It should be fine. I had a 94 Buick Park Ave. Ultra and I had to drive in on the hwy here at 65-70 every day! Yes, you should always drive in D, the only time they recomend you drive in OverDrive is when on long trips. Drive is more for stop and go traffic, but I never switched mine over to OD.
The motor got louder because there were more RPM’s going through it. The higher the RPM, the louder the engine gets.
Comment by 30w1d waiting on Grant Ray — October 12, 2006 @ 11:16 pm
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well yes it woul dbe bad thing and really not likely to run 70 in first gear and no if its in any thing put drive it will not shift and is bad if you drive it faster than the speed. so thing is to kick her butt second is no tto let her drive again third is might want to have it looked at to be on the safe side
Comment by kelly_f_1999 — October 13, 2006 @ 9:17 pm
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This can not be good. But it was a one time event, I hope. If nothing is obviously wrong you may have gotten away with it. Watch for it to shift funny or noise is what I would be doing.
Comment by D J — October 17, 2006 @ 4:01 am
highway 1
driving it in 1 (first) gear at 70 MPH is not highly recommended, she probably “red” lined the RPM’s. this can cause an engine to blow up, thats why there are “other” gears. (D) is good for highway driving as that again will lower your RPMs and improve your gas mileage. Driving around town you should use D.
So is driving in 1st a good thing, NO
Comment by jakester2199 — October 18, 2006 @ 6:25 am
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It is definitely not a good thing. Hopefully she didn’t go far. What a goof ball could she not hear the motor begging for mercy.
Comment by corey_deanna_casey — October 21, 2006 @ 3:52 pm
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when you say “highway in 1″ does that mean first gear? if so DO NOT DO THIS
always drive in D except in inclement weather when holding onto 1st 2nd or 3rd gear helps with traction
using 3rd gear also helps for safer passing of vehicles
Comment by wolf39us — October 23, 2006 @ 11:33 am
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It’s certainly not the smartest thing to do to try and drive at freeway speeds with the shifter lever in “1″, but luckily for you the car should be OK.
The car wasn’t actually in “1st gear” going 65-70mph – the automatic transmission will upshift automatically, even if the lever is in “1″, if the engine speed reaches redline (which it most certainly did well before hitting 65mph).
The transmission is programmed to automatically upshift at redline, well before the engine can spin itself to bits by doing something crazy like accidentally driving 65mph in 1st gear. It’s a safety/survival feature on most “newer” computer controlled automatic transmission cars (which yours is).
Comment by Guy L. — October 25, 2006 @ 1:56 pm
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ok Karen Ive read the other peoples statisitcs and if your vehicle is behaving as it should I would not worry about it until maybe the next 100 miles after the quest. An engine will become louder as it increases speed. Rpm i see others type, Rvolutions per minute guys ??????? She might not be familiar with that one. Karen its like when a record or cd goes round RPM’s get it ? ok. You can drive in (D) its ok, When your on the highway however you should drive in overdrive, you’ll get better gas mileage. You want to help the tranny work more efficient and the engine as well. Only when your giong up a hill ou’ll want to place it in 1st for only that brief moment, then back to drive again, no further, tranny damage will result if your not conscienious of it. As a mechanic we always tell a female driver to always drive in park because they dont make the time to explain the other features of a vehicle and why. hope this helps dear.
Comment by J M — October 26, 2006 @ 4:18 pm
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ok…..alot of goofy answers on here and some good ones……..your gear shifter should never be in 1st……thats why its called an automatic trans ( it shifts on it own ) put it in drive…….yes the D that is circled …..this is the overdrive position…….when you start off it AUTOMATICALLY starts in 1st then second then third and if necassary it kicks into overdrive……..all this is done on its own……..believe me this is what you need to do ……put it in the circled D position……
Comment by fmbronco7 — October 29, 2006 @ 5:13 am