Should I step offfff whenever I change gear? (Sport AT)

[jayka]

I drive protege5 with sport mode auto transmission.
I changed the exhaust couple months ago and I hate hearing the continuing sound.
so I tried to step off the pedal and step it on after changing gear.
That way, I could feel more power and hear lower tone sound after a gap. But I'm afraid if I'm ruining the transmision.
How can I use the sport AT well to make my protege fast?

haha please don't tell me that I have to get a manual.
it was my mistake getting AT, but my father never let me get a manual.

[spazspike]

Hey don't sweat the AT, it's not that bad. It like manual, has it's own advantages.

I've found stepping off the gas under hard accleration to be ok, certainly not "bad" for the transmission. One thing you'll find is that solenoids control the shifting mechanism driving by the 'sport' feature of the transmission. Those are what you'll ruin/wear out with abuse versus the transmission. (right?)

One thing I've found is to avoid downshifting into 1 at virtually any speed over 5mph. As you've seen the system will automatically shift back to one at 2mph and I'd let it do it, versus encouraging it.

Otherwise, shift it like you would a manual tranmission for this vehicle... at or around 5000/6000rpm during hard accleration and lightly step off the throttle, not entirely if you prefer.

[vlad]

I always take my foot of the gas when shifting. I've found that keeping it on (esp. when upshifting) makes the car lurch into the gear rather than shifting smoothly. I think if anything, taking your foot off the gas (or easing off it like spaz) is much more beneficial to your tranny's lifespan than constantly keeping your foot on the throttle like you would when driving in non-sport mode.