And from what I know about transmissions, a transmission that shifts harder is in better shape than one that flares between gears. Think about it this way....think of a automatic transmission as one that (loosely) resembles a bunch of tiny manual transmissions stuffed into one box. If vacuum weren't involved in how the shifting occurs, then one that shifted hard would mean the clutches arent worn. If they shift too soft, then thats bad.

Having a slight kick is what i strive for. Less wear on the clutches. The other day I fixed a bunch of vacuum problems, and my transmission flared like crazy between 2-3 and 3-4. I removed the vacuum and it shifts real hard until everything warms up, but it shifts firm after that.

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Java Developer/Linux SysAdmin

Current:
*1984 300D ~200K,1989 MR2 250K, 2012 Ford Fusion 4.5K (fiance's car to replace the uber-unsafe cavalier)
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Past: 1998 Chevy Cavalier ,2005 Saab 9-3 2.0T, 1996 Mazda Protege, 1974 Porsche 914 2.0, 1997 Land Rover Discovery 4.0L/5Speed, 1995 Jeep Wrangler