Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Shifting on ATX

I was wondering why my 2000 Contour SE Sport doesn't always shift into first when I shift the ATX to 1. I first noticed it when I was driving this summer with 5 people in the car and the A.C. turned on. It was struggling and I put it into first to get up this (little) hill and it stayed in second. It doesn't always do this, but it seems strange to me that it will not always go into first gear. I thought that if you selected a gear, it went into that gear. Just seems odd... suggestions?

Jonathan

Hey, what's up. I have the same car as yours. When you shift your tranaxle to 1st, it's supposed to stay in 1st. When you shift it into second, it will start off in second gear becuase when you drive on slippery rodas in the winter and it won't be as much torque on the wheels when you take off. When you shift it into 3rd it will shift through 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gears. That's how it's supposed to be. When you shift into 1st and it still stays in second gear, pullover somewhere and stop. It should shift down to 2nd gear. How fast were you going in that 1st gear? You can only go so fast one one gear. By the way, what's your name? Can I have your number? I live in Cleveland but I live in akron because I go to the akron u. We can get together sometime and talk to each other about our cars.

I don't really know since I have never driven a tour with an atx but wouldn't it not let you shift down if your were going to fast for the gear, even if you select the gear? In this way it protects itself from wear?

yeah you can't shift down to first gear when you're going faster than about 35-40 mph. That's why I told him to stop the car somewhere so it can shift down to first gear. It should be in your owners manual that you shouldn't do that.

I also have a 2000 v-6 SE with ATX. I have the same problem but mine won't shift into 1st after 25 MPH regardless of wheather or not I'm using the A/C or defroster or even manually shifting into 1st. I believe it is to protect the trans as well since it is computer controlled. Kind of sux when you need just a bit more power then 2nd will give if you ask me. Just my two cents.

It may be a first gear lock out feature to prevent blowing the engines.

If you shift to 1rst gear the car will not shift down into first gear unless you are going about 25 or less. If you really want this, push the gas fully to the floor and under 35 or 40 it will shift into 1rst and then stay there until you shift out. I wouldn't do that frequently as it puts more wear on the tranny but now and then won't do any harm. Hope this helps.

i put my car in first gear tonite, it sucked , it was sorta rough feeling, and something else that's weird, with o/d on, it seems car initially accelerates better than w/ o/d off, but after 30-35mph o/d off accelerates quicker.