Way back when I was 16, my mother told me that I shouldn't "manually" shift gears in an automatic without first taking my foot off the gas. I didn't question this, as I was 16...and mothers know everything. Many years have passed since, and until now I have always owned manual tranny cars, so the subject never mattered much. But now, I'm not 16 and I own an automatic (1987 560SEL), so I am asking if this is true. Am I doing any damage if, say I start in first, and, with my foot still on the gas shift into second? Considering that the tranny is automatic, would it know not to shift unless it was safe? Does this question even make sense??
Thanks for the help
Justin

It is OK to shift under power. The newer engine/tranny combos actually take out power for an instant during the shift for SMOOTHER shifting only.

__________________
Benzmac:
Donnie Drummonds
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 11 YRS

Thanks very much for the quick replies...I guess mom doesn't know everything after all.
Justin