5r55w with 6 gears?

[npereza]

I bought my 02 xlt 4x4 a couple of months ago. It seems like everything drives great, but i always counted 6 shifts. I assumed it was a 6 speed. From what ive read it is a 5 speed and seems like it doesn't hold 5th gear, but it still picks up speed and accelerates in my supposed "6th gear". Is it possible one of my counts of shifting is a flare?

 

[mp223]

Possibly the torque converter locking.

 

[IZwack]

A flare usually causes the RPMs to spike as the engine is disconnected from the rest of the drivetrain so watch the tachometer during acceleration to determine if it's indeed a flare.

FWIW, the first digit in the transmission code ("5") indicates how many forward gear ratios the transmission has.

 

[npereza]

so would that be considered normal?

 

[Turdle]

Yes, if you touch the brake pedal or accelerate at a given rate the torque converter will lock and unlock. This "feels" like a 5th shift. Perfectly normal to not hold lock when climbing a hill for example.

 

[npereza]

Okay I get... so hypothetically depending on acceleration

1-2nd shifts at 2500rpms
2-3rd shifts at 2000rpms
3-4th shifts at 2000rpms
4-5th shifts at 2000rpms
(5-6th) shifts down to 1500rpms (but this is actually the transmission locking up when im not accelerating anymore right?)

 

[Ronin8002]

Okay I get... so hypothetically depending on acceleration

1-2nd shifts at 2500rpms
2-3rd shifts at 2000rpms
3-4th shifts at 2000rpms
4-5th shifts at 2000rpms
(5-6th) shifts down to 1500rpms (but this is actually the transmission locking up when im not accelerating anymore right?)

looks normal to me. Yes what you have for 5-6 is the torque converter locking up, aka "overdrive" or OD. You should still be able to accelerate in overdrive without it shifting down if you don't get too heavy on the gas..even on some hills. It's just slower to accelerate because at that point the engine is essentially coupled directly to the wheels, so the engine is not free to rev up as easily. Of course when you give it more gas, the torque converter unlocks and you are out of overdrive until it locks up again.

 

[Turdle]

looks normal to me. Yes what you have for 5-6 is the torque converter locking up, aka "overdrive" or OD. You should still be able to accelerate in overdrive without it shifting down if you don't get too heavy on the gas..even on some hills. It's just slower to accelerate because at that point the engine is essentially coupled directly to the wheels, so the engine is not free to rev up as easily. Of course when you give it more gas, the torque converter unlocks and you are out of overdrive until it locks up again.

Overdrive is not the same as torque converter lock. Overdrive gear shift occurs first when in overdrive. Overdrive is the "5th" gear. Lockup is the last shift felt.

Lockup will still occur when shifted out of overdrive.

 

[Ronin8002]

Overdrive is not the same as torque converter lock. Overdrive gear shift occurs first when in overdrive. Overdrive is the "5th" gear. Lockup is the last shift felt.

Lockup will still occur when shifted out of overdrive.

didn't know that. Thanks for clearing that up!

 

[npereza]

Wow me either. Thanks a lot for the info.

Anyone think I should do the "o-ring servo fix kit"?

I'm at 120k miles and all seems good but thought it might help with future prevention of problems.

 

[Ronin8002]

Wow me either. Thanks a lot for the info.

Anyone think I should do the "o-ring servo fix kit"?

I'm at 120k miles and all seems good but thought it might help with future prevention of problems.

I think it is a good idea. I've had no problems yet but want to prevent them from occurring, going to do it in the spring.