[blucrayon]

Hey guys,

If you have an A8 like me you've probably experience the hard shifting from 1st to 2nd gear, usually in the morning or during a cold start.

And, like me, you've probably brought up the issue to the dealership, where they then have told you it's "nOrMaL" and there's nothing they can do about it.

You also may have heard about the new Mobil/GM bulletin about changing your oil to use Mobil 1 0W-40 ESP for LT1/LT4s, instead of using the usual 5W-30.

Well this morning, equipped with two 6-quart boxes of Mobil 1 0W-40 ESP, I eagerly drove to the local shop to get my oil changed.

As I started my car (it's 20F here in Michigan), I got the usual "kick" as it lurched from 1st to 2nd as I drove towards the shop.

After I got the new 0W-40 ESP put into my 2017 2SS, I drove around a little for a couple minutes. Lo and behold, the 1st to 2nd hard shift has seemingly been greatly reduced.

Now I definitely do need to do additional testing, as the oil may already have been slightly warm from driving (not that the oil being warm ever completely removed the kick). Tomorrow morning after a fresh cold start, I'll know for sure.

I wanted to post this here because I know a lot of you have been experiencing the same issue. If any of you are on the fence about trying the new 0W-40 ESP oil and have the 1st-2nd kick issue, I say give this new oil a shot and you should notice a significant difference.

For anyone who's already on 0W-40 ESP, let me know your experience too.

[Mark114]

I have been running the 0w-40 ESP for a few years and it hasn't changed the hard shift on my A8. I don't believe that the transmission issue is related to engine oil. It seems more likely that your transmission shifted better because the engine and transmission were warm from the drive to the shop.

[ctrlz]

Given the problems with the A8 and clutch wear, I think I would live with the harsh shifts until the fluid warms up.

[HCI2000SS]

Interesting. I've found I can totally eliminate it by easing up on the throttle during the shift. Works every time

[Ox45]

After moving from the A8 to the A10 there are still times that I expect the kick and it isn't there! I have gotten so accustomed to it happening at the same point on my street every morning, when it doesn't happen it is like something is missing.



Honestly, I don't think that it is anything horrible and I do think that it is normal as I had 2 A8s that both did it exactly the same. After I got used to my car doing that, it was like my cars way of shaking off the nights sleep. I wouldn't let it bother ya too much.


A long time ago, I had an SRT4 manual that would literally spit the shifter back out of 2nd until it warmed up properly on cold days. It was an known issue that was actually commented on in the owners manual. So... be glad it isn't a Dodge!



Ox.

[TP2SS]

Originally Posted by blucrayon

After I got the new 0W-40 ESP put into my 2017 2SS, I drove around a little for a couple minutes. Lo and behold, the 1st to 2nd hard shift has seemingly been greatly reduced.

That's because the trans fluid was already warm. Let us know tomorrow after the car sat all night. 100% you'll have the same kick.

[Spaceme1117]

I posted in another thread but figured I would also post here so other people who are have this issue might see it.

So there is a TSB for 2017 Camaros that have harsh shifts and possibly other symptoms. The fix is a TCM program update.

My car has had occasional harsh shifts but today threw a CEL (P0797), had a harsh shift from 1st to 2nd, then would not shift out of 2nd. All these issues are covered in the TSB.

I have made an appointment for my car for next week to get the TSB done.

TSB attached.

[KMPrenger]

Just a thought, but you guys getting the harsh shift (yes I know it will do it b/c I have experienced it also) from 1 - 2 waiting for the car to fully warm up and idle back down to normal before you take off?

When I do this, I don't get the hard shift. I usually like to wait, but I'm guessing there's lots that don't wait. If I go while the car is still trying to bring the cats up to temp, that 1 - 2 shift will buck the car pretty good.

[ctrlz]

Originally Posted by KMPrenger

idle back down to normal before you take off?
When I do this, I don't get the hard shift.

Good point about fast idle probably making this worse with cold fluid.
But I suspect no one wants to wait

[wingchunsifu]

Originally Posted by HCI2000SS

Interesting. I've found I can totally eliminate it by easing up on the throttle during the shift. Works every time

This: all the time

[wavsine]

Engine oil viscosity has nothing to do with A8 transmission issues.

Using an oil with viscosity that is not specified by GM will impact your powertrain warranty.

Allowing the A8 to warm up does minimize the teeth rattling 1-2 shift.

[1LE801]

Never experienced this in all the years with mine. Having said that, I ALWAYS let the car run until it goes into closed loop and the idle drops to normal..... Curious if the harsh shifting cars are allowed to run for 2 minutes or more before they are driven...

[Spaceme1117]

Adding a little bit more info. As I posted above, there is a software update for 2017 cars but I think it is mainly for some bad code in 2017 transmissions.

There is a TSB that covers 2016 to 2021 transmissions but all it does is explain that this behavior is normal and due to one of the clutches in the trans:

Condition Some customers may comment that the transmission exhibits a harsh 1-2 shift on the first
shift of the day, typically under light throttle.
Cause This condition is due to the initial clutch fill time of the 2-3-4-6-8 (C4) clutch.
Information
Some customers may experience a flare condition on the first 1-2 shift of the day or after
the vehicle has been parked for several hours. The condition may have developed after
the replacement of a complete transmission assembly or the replacement of the stator
support to correct a delayed engagement condition. This is most likely to occur under
light throttle conditions. Subsequent 1-2 shifts have acceptable shift feel. Replacing
transmission components will not correct the condition.
Correction
Important: Replacing transmission components or complete assemblies will not improve
the condition.
The first 1-2 shift of the day may be harsh. The customers’ vehicle should be compared to
a like vehicle under the same driving conditions. Do Not replace any parts for this
condition.
Note: This condition will not impact the designed performance or reliability of the vehicle