How the Challenger auto works.....

[02-SR5]

This will explain why the auto is poo.

[PeterC51]

It's missing the 'oil of disillusionment'

[picard]

This will explain why the auto is poo.

Lol I like it, should we call it, the slushamatic, or the "slow boat to china"

[amec]

So true.

[itsamitsi]

Yep couldn't have picked a better auto image for the Challenger.

[pajeromack]

Good old slush-boxes. Not a 'drivers' transmission for sure, but they'll do the job when you need it so long as the heat is managed.

If you want to see an old transmission that was well past its use-by date, have a look at the old BTR 4 Speed that was used in the Falcons. Lasted from 1989 (EA) - 2010 (BFIII). Could still handle more torque than Mitsubishis crappy 5-speed.

[fester]

Good old slush-boxes. Not a 'drivers' transmission for sure, but they'll do the job when you need it so long as the heat is managed.

If you want to see an old transmission that was well past its use-by date, have a look at the old BTR 4 Speed that was used in the Falcons. Lasted from 1989 (EA) - 2010 (BFIII). Could still handle more torque than Mitsubishis crappy 5-speed.

I'd agree pm about auto boxes in sporty vehicles. My cousin just bought one of the last XR8 Falcons (supercharged) and had it tricked up off the production line by Harrop. Started telling about the upgrades and the 600+ hp then I cried a little when I saw the auto shifter. Completely lost interest in the car for me, don't even desire to test drive it (although I will if offered )

However a solid well programed auto in a 4wd can be/and is a sweet set up in a 4wd. The 5 speed behind my 4.8 petrol Patrol and the MB 5 speed behind the 2.7 in my Jeep were both brilliant gearboxes that worked exactly as they should and were a pleasure to use, with zero issues. The only glitch with the 4.8 if I can call it that is that you couldn't use cruise in manual mode (till someone worked out how to bypass it)

SR5, that couldn't be a better representation of the fundamental "build sheet" that MM must have used when putting the PB drivetrain package together.

[Amok]

I used to have an AMG A45, had a fantastic dual clutch dsg style box. It was heaps of fun, but not quite as fun as a real manual.

[Ent]

Good old slush-boxes.
If you want to see an old transmission that was well past its use-by date, have a look at the old BTR 4 Speed that was used in the Falcons. Lasted from 1989 (EA) - 2010 (BFIII). Could still handle more torque than Mitsubishis crappy 5-speed.

I had the BA XR6 turbo with that transmission and it was nicely program, only occasionally putting a foot wrong when lifted off to for an upshift. Drive it like you stole it and it performed a treat. Now the rear diff was another matter.

Honestly, it took me less than a kilometre to work out I was not buying an auto Challenger as it upshifted way too soon and sent vibrations through the car. Changed smooth enough, but was programed by, well lets say a MMAL "engineer", probably the same one that designed the rear towbar plug mounting point.

The manual is ok except for the fifth to fourth downshift. You can not bully this change so often if in panic mod will go fifth to third instead. Like many modern cars the Challenger is rather over geared so the manual is not a thing of joy reversing up a steep hill.

[Giddyup]

The manual is ok except for the fifth to fourth downshift. You can not bully this change so often if in panic mod will go fifth to third instead. Like many modern cars the Challenger is rather over geared so the manual is not a thing of joy reversing up a steep hill.

If you want to improve the shift quality of the manual gearbox, replace the oil with castrol syntrans 75w85. I did 3000km ago and gearbox shifts are noticeably smoother. 5th to 4th seemed fine, but I always found 3rd to 2nd was a bit notchy, particularly when cold (under 10C). The new oil fixed that.

[DaveHAT]

This will explain why the auto is poo.

[itsamitsi]

VMX-M will do that too as it was designed for Mitsubishi.

[Giddyup]

VMX-M will do that too as it was designed for Mitsubishi.

Had vmx-m in before the syntrans. It was better than the water that was in it from new, but the syntrans is better again.