Disagree...and here is why...
The heat/damage in an automatic comes from the shearing of ATF in the TC during high torque at stall. This happens in all gears and makes no matter old 3 speed automatic to today's 10 speed automatics to any automatic with even higher gear ratios
Stall happens in all gears and is almost a preset RPM. There are some new wizzy-bang stuff, but generally speaking the stall speed is preset by the architecture of the TC (the angle of attack of all three sets of vanes, the gap, the dia of them all, etc)
In low gear trying to move a TV and trailer in 1st gear...normally has lots and lots of torque available. Give it even more throttle because the TV/Trailer is off center and maybe on an incline and toss in rutted campground dirt/gravel/etc surface
This scenario is common and going to be held there at stall way longer than getting it going from a stop at an intersection
and yes...easier on the transmission gear sets...not the TC...the TC will always take it in the shorts in this kind of usage/situation...and is where the main heat to burn ATF is generated
Then once there is burnt ATF (both degraded by heat ATF itself and the burnt ATF ash...AKA particulates, which are abrasives)
ScottG wrote:
The slippage will be less with the lower gearing of Lo range. This makes it easier on the trans, not harder.
If it is fully up to it in high range (and it certainly is) it is even more up to it with lower gearing.
BenK wrote:
Correct....but....the slippage is now in the hydraulic fluid inside the TC
Why some burn up their automatic's going slow....maneuvering a heavy trailer into a tight spot.
One move will be fine, but if they have to make several, high throttle maneuvers...sawing back and forth...they risk burning up the clutches inside the automatic tranny....some spot on...most will then have burnt ATF ash in there.
Hopefully there will be enough 'good' ATF to dilute those abrasive particles and are filtered out...but over time and done too often...over loads the filter....eating the auto's clutches...
Once anyone of those clutches slip...in what seemingly is an instant...that gear's clutches are toast. Usually reverse and/or 1st
ScottG wrote:
There's no clutch slippage with a auto - the torque converter does all the work and having it in a lower gear ratio is even easier on the trans.
I went one summer without a front drive shaft. It was great using 2wd low!!