At what speed does a car shift into 4th gear?

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Ultima

Platinum Member
Oct 16, 1999
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Originally posted by: XFILE
i have a 93 sentra, 4-speed automatic. i can feel the car shifting to 2nd gear around 20mph and to 3rd gear at 45mph. but even when i go 90mph, i can;t feel it shift to the 4th gear.

at what speed does it usually shift into 4th?


Don't automatics usually start in second gear?
So really its shifting to third at 20mph and fourth at 45mph?
 

jlee

Lifer
Sep 12, 2001
48,518
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Originally posted by: Ultima

Don't automatics usually start in second gear?
So really its shifting to third at 20mph and fourth at 45mph?

If they all start in 2nd, there wouldn't be much reason to have a first gear at all...
 

Nemesis77

Diamond Member
Jun 21, 2001
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When I drive a car, it changes to 4th gear when I want it to. Reason: I drive manual only. Wouldn't touch automatic with a 10 foot pole.
 

bmacd

Lifer
Jan 15, 2001
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Originally posted by: Nemesis77
When I drive a car, it changes to 4th gear when I want it to. Reason: I drive manual only. Wouldn't touch automatic with a 10 feet pole.

*ten foot pole even ;)

my 4th gear is OD in my explorer, but i have the option of turning it off. Regardless of where i go, it'll kick in, even coasting at 45mph on the streets.

-=bmacd=-

 

Nemesis77

Diamond Member
Jun 21, 2001
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Originally posted by: bmacd
Originally posted by: Nemesis77
When I drive a car, it changes to 4th gear when I want it to. Reason: I drive manual only. Wouldn't touch automatic with a 10 feet pole.

*ten foot pole even ;)

I did think that is it feet or foot. Fixed. Now let's hear your finnish ;)
 

Ladies Man

Platinum Member
Oct 9, 1999
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Originally posted by: MajesticMoose
I can prettymuch guarantee that you won't hit 90 in 3rd gear.
My car can run as follows:
1st ~30
2nd ~65
3rd 90 (I think, i rarely get there and when i do it is usually in 4th already)
4th 109

Max for each gear is roughly
1st ~ 40
2nd ~ 70
3rd ~ 115
4th ~ 140+

And on the flip side 4th gear also humms along at 1000rpms at 40mph
 

piku

Diamond Member
May 30, 2000
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When I drive a car, it changes to 4th gear when I want it to. Reason: I drive manual only. Wouldn't touch automatic with a 10 foot pole.
I wouldn't touch your silly English measurement system with a 3.048 meter pole.

Or something.
 

Evadman

Administrator Emeritus<br>Elite Member
Feb 18, 2001
30,990
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The only vehic I drove and remember the shift points was my 1.8 prelude.

1-2nd @ 45
2-3rd @ 65
3-4th @ 90

That was @ WOT. My stick Suzuki Sidekick would do 90 @ a little over redline in 3rd. It was a 5 speed.
 

Beau

Lifer
Jun 25, 2001
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www.beauscott.com
Originally posted by: XFILE
i have a 93 sentra, 4-speed automatic. i can feel the car shifting to 2nd gear around 20mph and to 3rd gear at 45mph. but even when i go 90mph, i can;t feel it shift to the 4th gear. at what speed does it usually shift into 4th?

It's an automatic? Most automatics are only 3 gears. I wonder if that 4th gear is just an overdrive gear?
 

Ultima

Platinum Member
Oct 16, 1999
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Originally posted by: CadetLee
Originally posted by: Ultima

Don't automatics usually start in second gear?
So really its shifting to third at 20mph and fourth at 45mph?

If they all start in 2nd, there wouldn't be much reason to have a first gear at all...

Steep hills? :)
It just seems that the automatics start in second because when you manually select the "1" position while stopped, it has a shorter range and revs higher, like a standard tranny's gear 1. Otherwise it acts like its in gear 2 when starting. Hmm..
 

Ultima

Platinum Member
Oct 16, 1999
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Yep, I'm pretty sure the "problem" he's experiencing is because the transmission is starting out in second gear.
Try starting from a stop by flooring the pedal and count the shifts then, but that might not even make it start in first. Select first from a stop (it won't go down to first usually unless you're stopped) and then let the engine rev up and then put it into D. Count the shifts then.

If its none of these things maybe you have a 3-speed and not a 4-speed.
 

bmacd

Lifer
Jan 15, 2001
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Originally posted by: Ultima
Don't automatics usually start in second gear?
So really its shifting to third at 20mph and fourth at 45mph?


i've never heard that in my life. Automatics starting in 2nd gear? I can vouch for the fact my truck starts in 1st everytime, as does my jag.

-=bmacd=-
 

TrueBlueLS

Platinum Member
Jul 13, 2001
2,931
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Here's my shift points for my 90 Cavalier 2.2L 4 cylinder when I'm driving heavy on the gas...

1st: 43 MPH
2nd: 79 MPH
3rd: ........... I dunno cause I've only had it up to about 110
 

NutBucket

Lifer
Aug 30, 2000
27,119
613
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Originally posted by: bmacd
Originally posted by: Ultima
Don't automatics usually start in second gear?
So really its shifting to third at 20mph and fourth at 45mph?


i've never heard that in my life. Automatics starting in 2nd gear? I can vouch for the fact my truck starts in 1st everytime, as does my jag.

-=bmacd=-

Yep, many cars do start in 2nd. For those cars its an economy issue. Usually cars that start in 2nd have loads of torque. I know a friend suggested his parent buy an 88 420SEL Benz and that starts in 2nd unless you floor it and hit the kick down. Another friend's mom has a 95 or so Intrepid with the 3.5 and it to starts in 2nd. AFAIK 4 bangers all start in 1st cause they don't have the torque to pull out 2nd. I wouldn't know myself, my family only has sticks.

2001 Camry
1991 Accord <-- mine
1989 Toyota Pickup.