[ferocious]

Thanks for the replies, folks. Glad to hear that the AWD has not been an unusual source of problems.

I will try the battery disconnect trick. I had thought of doing that myself. I'm just wishing the folks who ordered it had bought the select shift option, where you can select which gear to use.

I will take the thing to the local trans shop I trust for this first fluid change. I want them to change all the fluid in both the transmission and the torque converter. They may also know some tricks for getting it to behave more like I want too. They have been very knowledgeable for me on three different cars.

Too bad I can't get a stick shift!!