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Subject:questions about automatics
From:Walt Spak
Date:Thu, 25 Oct 2007 10:34:33 -0400

As I wrote recently, my 19th Vanagon, a 1984 GL, is my first automatic.

I have had the feeling that it up shifts very quickly, even when pulling
hills.  It kicks down just fine and I can hold it in any gear by moving
the shift lever.  It just seems to up shift way sooner that my Mercedes
does.

Secondly, I an a little confused about the speedometer markings.The
speedometer has the number "805" on the face.  I am used to the shift
points marked on the face of the standard tranny 83.5 - 84c models, one
dot, two dots, three dots.  This one also has 3 shift points marked even
though it is only a 3 speed and only shifts twice.  The points are:  one
dot @ 21 mph, two dots @ 38 mph, and three dots @ 65 mph.  If i nail the
accelerator pedal from a dead stop, the bus far exceeds these points
before it shifts on its own.  Anyone know what this is about?

Walt