Official Automatic Transmission Owners' Club
#502
SMOG1 - The Aisin TF-60SN automatic transmission is made by Aisin in Japan and they are the supplier of all Toyota automatic transmissions and are probably owned by Toyota. This transmission is used in several other cars, VW as the model 09G or 09M and Audi models, some Volvos, Mazdas, and Fords (note Ford owns part of Mazda and until recently owned Volvo), Saab etc. That is why the Toyota Type T-IV fluid is used which is readily and cheaply available at Toyota dealers and insanely overpriced by MINI, although I used Mobil 1 when I did a change.
http://www.altousa.com/images/new_products/np151.pdf
http://www.altousa.com/images/new_products/np151.pdf
#504
MCSa sould I be concerned with 90k on it?
Hi,
You auto drivers are the experts and I was wondering if a 90k mile 2006 MCSa will give me reliable service. I just can't bring myself to drive my WC50 in bad weather so I have a line on an auto MCS. Just for kicks I called the Mini dealer to check replacement costs on a new tranny, get this, are you sitting down... 8 grand installed! With the higher mileage should I be concerned? Does anyone know the typical service life is on an auto MCS. It is driving fine and shifts great now, so your thoughts are appreciated.
You auto drivers are the experts and I was wondering if a 90k mile 2006 MCSa will give me reliable service. I just can't bring myself to drive my WC50 in bad weather so I have a line on an auto MCS. Just for kicks I called the Mini dealer to check replacement costs on a new tranny, get this, are you sitting down... 8 grand installed! With the higher mileage should I be concerned? Does anyone know the typical service life is on an auto MCS. It is driving fine and shifts great now, so your thoughts are appreciated.
#509
#512
Automatic W/RMW Tune
The RMW Tune lived up to and beyond my expectations. The only problem i have is keeping myself from speeding as it is very easy to go fast now. It is a much better bang for your buck than the JCW package IMO. I have nothing against the JCW package, but I just can't justify spending all that money for what you get.
What did you do for an CAI? JCW Airbox and Piping?
Well, after the better part of a day and two minds working on the issues we got the Milltek installed. Nice sound. PITA to install to get it lined up properly. It appears that the muffler hanger extensions are not as long as they should be. Will be having a chat with Milltek...
S.
Last edited by SMOG; 12-31-2010 at 05:58 PM. Reason: Milltek Installed
#513
hey, so, as I've posted on here, I got my '11 justacooper with an automatic, and I really want to start learning how to use the manual shift mode. It can definitely add more fun to the driving experience, and definitely save some wear on the brakes. I tried it once, but didn't want to screw around too much. I'm pretty good with upshifting, I can tell when to do so just by the engine noise and obvi the tach, but I haven't quite gotten the hang of downshifting. Sounds stupid, so sorry in advance, but again, I haven't really practiced it that much. I've never driven a manual, so my knowledge base is minimal.
So my questions are:
downshifting, is it better to have your foot on the brake when doing so?
how do you know when it's the right time to downshift? should i pay more attention to the tach, or to the engine noise?
Any other tips/threads anyone can recommend me to for more insight on this would be greatly appreciated!
So my questions are:
downshifting, is it better to have your foot on the brake when doing so?
how do you know when it's the right time to downshift? should i pay more attention to the tach, or to the engine noise?
Any other tips/threads anyone can recommend me to for more insight on this would be greatly appreciated!
#514
downshifting automatics to save brakes
hey, so, as I've posted on here, I got my '11 justacooper with an automatic, and I really want to start learning how to use the manual shift mode. It can definitely add more fun to the driving experience, and definitely save some wear on the brakes. I tried it once, but didn't want to screw around too much. I'm pretty good with upshifting, I can tell when to do so just by the engine noise and obvi the tach, but I haven't quite gotten the hang of downshifting. Sounds stupid, so sorry in advance, but again, I haven't really practiced it that much. I've never driven a manual, so my knowledge base is minimal.
So my questions are:
downshifting, is it better to have your foot on the brake when doing so?
how do you know when it's the right time to downshift? should i pay more attention to the tach, or to the engine noise?
Any other tips/threads anyone can recommend me to for more insight on this would be greatly appreciated!
So my questions are:
downshifting, is it better to have your foot on the brake when doing so?
how do you know when it's the right time to downshift? should i pay more attention to the tach, or to the engine noise?
Any other tips/threads anyone can recommend me to for more insight on this would be greatly appreciated!
S.
#515
I know that brakes cost less than having to replace a transmission, but I've also heard that it's pretty hard to screw a transmission up by using the manual mode, because the car simply won't let you do anything damaging. Mine doesn't have the paddles, and my interest in using the manual mode isn't so that I can shoot past someone on the highway, but just to learn how to go through the gears myself. I'm a commuter for college, and my school is located in a mountainous area, lots of twisty roads where the manual mode might be more fun to use than the automatic.
#517
#518
#519
hey, so, as I've posted on here, I got my '11 justacooper with an automatic, and I really want to start learning how to use the manual shift mode. It can definitely add more fun to the driving experience, and definitely save some wear on the brakes. I tried it once, but didn't want to screw around too much. I'm pretty good with upshifting, I can tell when to do so just by the engine noise and obvi the tach, but I haven't quite gotten the hang of downshifting. Sounds stupid, so sorry in advance, but again, I haven't really practiced it that much. I've never driven a manual, so my knowledge base is minimal.
So my questions are:
downshifting, is it better to have your foot on the brake when doing so?
how do you know when it's the right time to downshift? should i pay more attention to the tach, or to the engine noise?
Any other tips/threads anyone can recommend me to for more insight on this would be greatly appreciated!
So my questions are:
downshifting, is it better to have your foot on the brake when doing so?
how do you know when it's the right time to downshift? should i pay more attention to the tach, or to the engine noise?
Any other tips/threads anyone can recommend me to for more insight on this would be greatly appreciated!
#520
Hope this helps, I'm also trying to use Manual Mode more, I've given up on the Paddle Shifters, due to not being able to use them and DRIVE at the same time...it's a GIRL thing I thinK??!!
On a Bright Note since I'm coming up on my Free Maintenance Ending (I know we pay for it in the long run, don't need any flap about that) I'm definitely trying to make sure Sport Mode is on before I leave the Driveway!! Don't know why I was afraid of using it before...NOW...all I can say is WOOOOO HOOOO!!
#521
Take your MINI out on a Flat Surface Road (don't use Manual Mode this time), listen and take note of where the Shifting Points are, then take it to the road you drive most often, your twisty road to school, again without using Manual Mode, take notes. Then get back on the Flat Surface Road and try to duplicate the Shifting Points, note that that may be anywhere from 2200 to 3000rpm, do the same for your Twisty Road...see if that gets you any closer to operating your MINI to your satisfaction and hopefully will save you a Transmission in the long run!!
Hope this helps, I'm also trying to use Manual Mode more, I've given up on the Paddle Shifters, due to not being able to use them and DRIVE at the same time...it's a GIRL thing I thinK??!!
On a Bright Note since I'm coming up on my Free Maintenance Ending (I know we pay for it in the long run, don't need any flap about that) I'm definitely trying to make sure Sport Mode is on before I leave the Driveway!! Don't know why I was afraid of using it before...NOW...all I can say is WOOOOO HOOOO!!
Hope this helps, I'm also trying to use Manual Mode more, I've given up on the Paddle Shifters, due to not being able to use them and DRIVE at the same time...it's a GIRL thing I thinK??!!
On a Bright Note since I'm coming up on my Free Maintenance Ending (I know we pay for it in the long run, don't need any flap about that) I'm definitely trying to make sure Sport Mode is on before I leave the Driveway!! Don't know why I was afraid of using it before...NOW...all I can say is WOOOOO HOOOO!!
#522
thank you! I've been listening and noting where the shifting points are, and that's worked with upshifting for me, but my only thing is, I need someone to explain to me when the appropriate times to downshift are, at what point on the tach should I downshift? The one time I had it in manual mode and downshifted, I knocked it down to the lower gear too soon because I didn't know what to look/listen for, you could hear,the revs got higher and it was much louder. Does this make sense?
#523
Paddles hard to use
Stephen
#524
If the engine is lugging or sounds like it is chugging, (ie reving too low such as going up a hill and you appear to be losing speed, that is a good time to downshift. The tach will usually read below 2,000 and then it will be time to downshift to keep your engine in the powerband so you can reduce strain on the valve train and accelerate more rapidly. It is just as bad to chug and engine up a hill in too low a gear as it is to over-rev it.
#525
Keep it reving smoothly
If the engine is lugging or sounds like it is chugging, (ie reving too low such as going up a hill and you appear to be losing speed, that is a good time to downshift. The tach will usually read below 2,000 and then it will be time to downshift to keep your engine in the powerband so you can reduce strain on the valve train and accelerate more rapidly. It is just as bad to chug and engine up a hill in too low a gear as it is to over-rev it.
S.