Is it bad to drive in third gear?

**REDBEAST** · 10-24-2006, 05:23 PM

I feel like my car settles into(a4) overdrive too quickly in city driving( 30mph-40mph). So I've been leaving it in 3rd gear. To me it feels more responsive. Am I harming my transmission?

**2001NBMZ28** · 10-24-2006, 05:40 PM

Not in city driving 30-40 MPH, did it all the time when I had 2.73's. By settleing into OD you talking about TC lockup? At steady throttle that'll occur somewhere between 42-45 in 4th I believe with a stock tune.

**Tyler_LS1** · 10-24-2006, 05:44 PM

No I believe its better for your car because its not shifting in and out of 4th gear constantly.

**REDBEAST** · 10-24-2006, 05:52 PM

Yeah. It locks up around 40mph. Is 40 the dead spot for A4 F bodies? I usually shift it back to overdrive at around 50mph.

**REDBEAST** · 10-24-2006, 05:55 PM

Originally Posted by Tyler_LS1

No I believe its better for your car because its not shifting in and out of 4th gear constantly.

Yeah, thats what I was thinking.

**onyx_rock** · 10-25-2006, 05:19 AM

The only thing your hurting is gas mileage. And that shouldnt be by much.

**MNR-0** · 10-27-2006, 05:56 PM

Thats exactly what I do in 35MPH speed limited zones. I have a hi-stall and lockup at at 35MPH is good for mileage and for the trans. I also run 3.73 gears.