Need expertise please, question

[scaborca]

I drove my new corolla in 3rd gear, only once, on the highway, could that have caused any damage? It seems fine, but just want to know if I should be worried? Thank you!

[fingers]

Hi,

How fast were you going and for how long were you in 3rd?

[HDi fun]

Unlikely to have done any damage because the rev limiter would intervene. Unless you changed down to 3rd at 120mph, which would over rev the engine.

If you'd broken something you'd know about it.

[scaborca]

I was going 70-80 mph about for about twenty five minutes. It seems fine. Not sure if I'm just paranoid now, but feels a little rough on the gears shifting (its an automatic). Should I just relax and forget about it? People say if something was really wrong I would know w/o a doubt.

[Izo Azlion]

Originally Posted by scaborca

I was going 70-80 mph about for about twenty five minutes. It seems fine. Not sure if I'm just paranoid now, but feels a little rough on the gears shifting (its an automatic). Should I just relax and forget about it? People say if something was really wrong I would know w/o a doubt.

Thats a long time but it shouldn't really kill it. Like everyone says, if somethings wrong you'll know about it.

How come you didn't notice the sound of the high revs? Or did it get stuck in gear?

[waynne]

It sounds like you have got away with it. As a precaution, unless this has been done very recently, I would change the oil (gearbox included) - no doubt it ran pretty hot for those 25 minutes. The life of the car may well have been reduced but that will not really show until 100,000 miles plus.

[HDi fun]

Don't wind him up. Auto's usually have long gears anyway. Unless you were well into the red (which most modern automatics won't allow) then you will have done absolutely no damage at all, either obvious now on in several years' time.

[waynne]

Didn't realise it was an auto.

I had a friend who killed his 1.3 Nova gearbox (NOT AN AUTO) changing down to 3rd instead of up to 5th, it was only for a few seconds It was the gearbox which took the brunt of the force and started braking up over the next few weeks - the garage said an oil change (top up mainly as it was really low) may have saved it.

If the gearchange is not smooth it could indicate low gearbox oil. I still think its worth checking the gearbox oil but HDI is right - there is little chance of long term damage in an auto box.

[HDi fun]

I think you'll get away with just looking at the colour of the ATF on the dipstick. If it's pink/orange then thats fine. Darker means that it's been overheated. Most autos have supplementary transmission oil coolers as standard items. I really really think that everything will be absolutely fine.

[scaborca]

Thank you all so much, very helpful. I took it in today, and the mechanic test drove it for about 20 minutes. He said it seemed fine and the computer codes checked out fine. But I was wondering about the oil, because after one day of really noticing the rough gear shifting, I checked the oil and it looked a little low. I think to be on the safe side I'm going to take it in for oil change. Again, thank you!

[waynne]

Keep in touch Scaborca its nice to have you here!

[HDi fun]

Likewise, Sca.

Rgds, Paul.

[scaborca]

Cool, Thanks so much guys. I did take the car in and got the ATF fluid and oil changed. Naturally the mechanic looked at us like we were out of our minds, but needless to say, I feel much better now. Your advice really helped.

Until next time...

[HDi fun]

At least all is well with the car. I used to own an automatic Primera and the fliud in that was said to be good for life. quite what life is I don't know, but eventually had it changed at 120,000 miles for peace of mind. The mechanic at that time looked at me the same way.

Japanese engines & transmissions really are bulletproof.

[waynne]

Is it running any smoother now SCA? HDI - I hope you change your engine oil more frequently than that! I found out the other day my Brother though that topping up the oil was just as good as an oil change I really need to sit down with him and have a little chat.