On 3/1/07, William Chops Westfield wrote: > > On Mar 1, 2007, at 7:00 AM, Martin Klingensmith wrote: > > > I prefer my manual transmission in the ice and snow because having > > "jumpy" torque makes you [me] lose traction quicker. I know exactly > > how my clutch and transmission will act. > > I'm told that the manual 1st and 2nd gear (especially the later) > on most automatics (in the US) exist at least partially for > starting in snow and ice... Usually they limit the transmission to no higher than the gear selected rather than force the gear selected. Used more for engine braking down long/steep hills (a transmission cooler is a really good idea if you do it with any sort of load) and for towing/large loads. Dropping down a gear can also stop the transmission 'hunting' going up some hills. Orin. -- http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist