Performance Parts for an Automatic

[why?]

Originally Posted by david_827

I was going to say the same thing, also isnt the L supposed to be used for towing????

Almost positive the Yaris is not rated for towing in the US. It is probably a lawyer type thing as it is rated around 800 lbs in other countries.

L is basically 1st gear. Really bad weather or really steep hills or soft dirt or sand or generally unusual conditions are the only times you should shift an auto. Especially one which has received a lot of praise on these forums for being a well thought out and logical machine.

To put it simply there is a reason F1 cars are pretty much all automatics.

[dragoonmc]

Originally Posted by why?

To put it simply there is a reason F1 cars are pretty much all automatics.

They are manuals with paddle shifters because there is no room for a shifter in the car and the transmission is on the other side of the engine from the driver.

[why?]

Originally Posted by MadMax

Really? Because in 3.5 years with an auto there hasn't been one situation that it couldn't handle whereas a manual could.

It's great to state your opinion, but don't confuse it for fact. There is no reason not to manually shift an auto other than fuel efficiency. It does not, as you claim, hurt the transmission (it shifts the gears anyway, just on its own) and there is nothing "silly" about it except for the fact that manual transmissions are not capable of doing the same.

What is "silly" is those thinking they get more "performance" out of a 105 hp car with a manual!

Not surprisingly you misread what I wrote. I was not talking about manuals, but slushboxes. They contain the options for putting the transmission into the other gears in cases where there are unusual driving conditions.

And there is a reason not to try and break your transmission, they are expensive. Shifting a transmission that is not meant to do it will hurt your car, whether you want to believe it or not. When you choose the gear you override all the mechanicals and the computer you spent a ton of extra money on.

What is silly is you think you have a clue. Especially when you are the only person in the universe with the position you hold.

Originally Posted by dragoonmc

They are manuals with paddle shifters because there is no room for a shifter in the car and the transmission is on the other side of the engine from the driver.

False. From the horses mouth:

The gearboxes of modern Formula One cars are now highly automated with drivers selecting gears via paddles fitted behind the steering wheel. The 'sequential' gearboxes used are very similar in principle to those of motorbikes, allowing gear changes to be made far faster than with the traditional ‘H’ gate selector, with the gearbox selectors operated electrically. Despite such high levels of technology, fully automatic transmission systems, and gearbox-related wizardry such as launch control, are illegal - a measure designed to keep costs down and place more emphasis on driver skill. Transmissions - most teams run seven-speed units - bolt directly to the back of the engine.