[RH77]

Just a quick poll, how many automatic drivers do we have out there?

Of course, the challenges are a bit different:

EOC or Not?
Shifting...
Tricks and Tips...
Power and Load...

Here's what I've done to "make-do" with what the car has (of course I'd like a manual, but the auto stays until it fails):

Low-speed EOC to enhance City FE (coast down / engine stops at longer lights)

Shifting is, well, automatic for the most part. I do have control over the first 2 gears with 1 and 2 gear selections. Before warmup, 2nd to 3rd requires 2500 RPM which begs the question: accelerate to 2500 to get that next gear to coast, or trod along at 1500 until warmed??? Lately I've given it a quick burst to 2500 and coasted in 3rd as the coolant warms. Even with the EBH, it takes 5 minutes of driving to full operating temperature. The heater blower is OFF with the temp selector in the coldest setting to preserve heat, and a modified rad-block is installed.

I've tightened the throttle cable to allow shifts when the transmission control unit has determined the lowest available RPM, and to allow firmer shifts -- this generally happens with a lift of the throttle at a reasonable RPM. In full TC lockup, a "lug" action of the engine can occur at 1200 RPM or the minimum 35 MPH engagement point -- good for FE with high engine loads. Downside: vehicles with little power or torque may be quick to downshift with throttle input and increased cable input (and increased fluid pressure). It all depends on involvement of a TCU processor and load.

I highly recommend obtaining a shop manual to figure out what your auto likes. It turns out that the Hill-Logic Control on the 'Teg gets quite confused with engine-off coasting, and doesn't allow TC lockup until the math checks out for distance vs. RPM/Load/Accel-Decel/TPS (which includes when the engine is off). Another factor in EOC decision.

Any auto gurus out there -- what have you tried, and what works, and what hasn't?

RH77