Hey guys,

So, I'm new here. I got a base 850 wagon auto, and was wondering something about the transmission. So, as stated in the owners manual, when using winter mode:
In position D, the gearbox starts in 3rd gear and changes up to 4th gear.
In position 3, 2nd gear is locked and there is no change up to 3rd gear.
In position L, 1st gear is locked.

So, I gathered from this that in D only 3rd and 4th are used, with kick down allowed to 3rd if in 4th. In 3, only 2nd gear is used with no kickdown to 1st. And in L, only 1st gear is used. I personally prefer to shift my own gears, which is why my 2nd car ('99 Miata) is a manual. From what I've searched online, it can damage the transmission if constantly starting in D in this mode, due to the excessive slip needed from the torque converter to start from a standstill 3rd. However, I was wondering if it'd be okay to use winter mode as a sort of a "manual mode", and shift through the gears L->3->D when driving. I figured that this wouldn't be nearly as bad on the transmission since it's shifting through the gears somewhat normally, albeit at my command. This would be helpful, especially at a track (yeah, I have plans to track my DD/beater...) since I could effectively shift between just 1st and 2nd when needed.

Basically, what I'm asking is can I use the winter mode as a manual mode without damaging the transmission.

Thanks guys!

 

The damage would occur by starting off in 3rd gear asking the transmission to absorb all the torque required to start up the car. If as you say the car lets you start in L and locks into 1st, then there's no excess torque going on so no risk other than over-revving the motor - and if by moving the shifter to "3" allows an up-shift then again nothing is harming the transmission as you are just controlling the gear manually. Still I don't get the point... I also own a VW CC with the DSG transmission which gives me the option of controlling each shift point manually (prior I owned several MT cars) and still with the coolest shifter in car-dom, I still leave the computer to do a better job of gear selection than I could. IMHO, a better choice is to select sport mode and enjoy a more aggressive shift pattern...

 

Leave it in D or

 

nice - there's always an old 850 MT somewhere out on Craigslist looking for a new home!