Semi-automatic?

In the car I drive, my dad’s ’02 Cadillac Elderado, it has 1-2-3-D gears. My dad and I always just use D when driving, but I was wonder what the 1-2-3 are for. Can I start off in 1, and then shift to 2nd, then 3rd, just like in a manual? If that’s what they are for, how do I shift? Do I just shift while pressing on the gas, or do I have to let off? If so, just a little bit, or totally?

I didn’t want to try any of this on his car, because if I ruined it he would be furious!

You got it right. You can start in 1 and go up to D, and you don't have to back off. Some people feel it gives you better acceleration and control over power, although I'm not really so sure. I also don't know if it harms the transmission and drivetrain any, which it might, since it isn't intended to do that.

Yes you can nail the gas and shift through the gears. The problem is that it is still controlled by the computer. You might shift up or down and the car will not respond until a certain RPM is reached. The computer will protect you from destroying the transmission. The difference you will see will be unnoticeable. If you want to race buy a car with a manual.

Just don't do and neutral drops or power braking.

Well I do have one tactic that works with Automatic Drivers. Once you get up to 3000+ RPM a quick tap off the gas will have the car shift into the next gear instead of just waiting for the car to redline and then shift to the next gear. This works very well for shifting up, but for downshifting there is more of a problem. My car has shifttronic so I can downshift smoother, but it isn't as fast as a manual most of the time. Left foot braking or quick brake/throttle movement will kill most of the unsteer in FWD car (At least in mine). (This isn't just a fable or folktale) But for right now I'm 6-1-3 for offical records so I can't complain.

Well I do have one tactic that works with Automatic Drivers. Once you get up to 3000+ RPM a quick tap off the gas will have the car shift into the next gear instead of just waiting for the car to redline and then shift to the next gear. This works very well for shifting up, but for downshifting there is more of a problem. My car has shifttronic so I can downshift smoother, but it isn't as fast as a manual most of the time. Left foot braking or quick brake/throttle movement will kill most of the unsteer in FWD car (At least in mine). (This isn't just a fable or folktale) But for right now I'm 6-1-3 for offical records so I can't complain.


alright if your racing. why would you want to shift the car when its just starting to reach its power band? if its for everyday driving and saving gas, then yes letting the foot off the gas is good for gas mileage. and for downshifts. all you gotta do is floor the car. and hte computer will see that your tryin to do a highway pass and it will kick down a gear.

Left foot braking or quick brake/throttle movement will kill most of the unsteer in FWD car (At least in mine). (This isn't just a fable or folktale) But for right now I'm 6-1-3 for offical records so I can't complain.

How does this understeer elimination stuff have to do with shifring??