Automatic driving peculiarities - tips for driving an auto

[NerdyGunny]

I recently picked up a 71 Automatic. I searched the forums for any peculiarities for driving an automatic.

About the only thing i was able to find was to let up on the acceleration to get it to shift to 3rd. (I haven't found this as necessary as i drive it mildly.. (slowly))

Is there anything that a driver should know?

Is it ok to put it in Neutral while at a stop light? How about putting it in Neutral as I roll up to a stop light?

Any other tips?

[KTPhil]

Is it still FI?
It is vital to good running of both FI and the auto trans that there are NO (absolutely NO) vacuum leaks anywhere. This includes the MPS, all hoses, the kickdown valve, and all the air intake parts.
ANY leak will confuse both, and make them interact, resulting in stalling, poor acceleration, rich running, poor shifting, etc.
Ignition timing adjustment is also critical (normally TDC for a '71).
Make sure your kickdown switch on the throttle pivot is adjusted and wired correctly.
_________________
Current Fleet:
- '71 Fastback
- '69 Westfalia
Retired:
- '67 Beetle
- '65 Beetle (x2)
- '65 Bus
- '71 Squareback

[Bobnotch]

[NerdyGunny]

[Mike Fisher]

Keep the AT filled with ATF & the separate transaxle filled with 80-90 weight gear oil.
17mm plug on the side to fill gear oil.
I love my FI/AT 69 square.
Dual carburetor AT might take a little more fine tuning.
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https://imgur.com/user/FisherSquareback/posts
69 FI/AT square Daily Driver
66 sunroof,67,70,71,71,71AT,72,72AT,73 Parts
two 57 oval ragtops sold
'68 Karmann Ghia sold

Society is like stew. If you don't keep it stirred up you end up with a lot of scum on the top! - Russ_Wolfe/Edward Abbey

[VWporscheGT3]

[KTPhil]

Do you have a kickdown switch on the carb linkage?
_________________
Current Fleet:
- '71 Fastback
- '69 Westfalia
Retired:
- '67 Beetle
- '65 Beetle (x2)
- '65 Bus
- '71 Squareback

[Roadbeater]

Took my drivers test in a 70 squareback automatic. I drove it like I stole it for many years, as kids will do. Hope yours holds up as well
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69 Fastback

[Bobnotch]

[sjbartnik]

There is no mechanical benefit to putting the transmission in neutral at a light, unless you tire of holding the brake pedal to prevent creep.

The reason to put a manual in neutral at a light is to prevent excess wear of the throwout bearing and to prevent wear of the thrust surface of the crankcase due to the pressure from the clutch pressure plate. Neither of these are concerns with the automatic.
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1965 Volkswagen 1500 Variant S
2000 Kawasaki W650

[NerdyGunny]

[KTPhil]

Looks like an aftermarket linkage, without a provision for a kickdown switch, so you'll have to get creative.

The stock dual carb carb linkage has this switch mounting:

Look for a micro-switch like these, and fab up a spring/mount.
https://www.google.com/search?q=micro+switch&v...&udm=2
_________________
Current Fleet:
- '71 Fastback
- '69 Westfalia
Retired:
- '67 Beetle
- '65 Beetle (x2)
- '65 Bus
- '71 Squareback

[Bobnotch]

[KTPhil]

If you do seek to fab a switch, keep in mid the reason for the spring setup on the stock linkage.

You want to feel resistance in your foot when you fully open the carb throttle plates.

But to kick down, you have to press further, without snapping the cable.

So once the first position is reached (full throttle), you will feel the added resistance of this linkage spring, but can press further (actuating the microswitch).

Once your foot learns this feel, you can up and down-shift with your right foot very precisely. It's worth working this out. Maybe even go back to a stock linkage, though those are hard to find and the switches are NLA (so I posted the link above for those).
_________________
Current Fleet:
- '71 Fastback
- '69 Westfalia
Retired:
- '67 Beetle
- '65 Beetle (x2)
- '65 Bus
- '71 Squareback

[Multi69s]

Honestly, I have been using some form of non stock kick down switch with out the spring for about 15 years. You just set the switch to where it closes at WOT. I drew up a little diagram of what the OP could put in his car if he wanted kick down capabilities (he really does )

First off here is the type of switch that you would want.

Here is where you would put it.

Here is the drawing of the assembly.

As you can see, it could be made with the most simplest tools. Just a hacksaw, and a drill. Once you experience the advantage of having the kick down switch, you never go back without one.
_________________
69 road Bug 2110
73 Squareback - 2L, T4, Automatic W/ AC
Gone, but many fond memories 69 Baja Bug 2010 - 5 Rib Bus Transaxle
Gone but not forgotten 72 Baja Bug 2010
My builds
T4 into Squareback http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=458944&highlight=
Auto Trans Rebuild http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=516066&highlight=
AC in Squareback https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...highlight=

[Bobnotch]

I was thinking maybe something off the right carb to activate the kick down switch. I'm not sure how that center part works, as it looks pretty complicated, compared to even the stock set up, let alone your link bar set up (don't know if there's room to mount a switch).
As for the switch itself, that should be fairly easy to get, as they're used on NOS systems to activate Nitrous, and used for washing machines and dryers to turn the unit on/off if the door is opened (safety switch). I mean if the OP wanted to, he could mount a normally open (closes when pushed) push button switch on the shifter to activate the kick down function too.
Just a couple of random thoughts.
_________________
Bob 65 Notch S with Sunroof
71 Notch ...aka Krunchy; build pics here;
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=249390 -been busy working
64 T-34 Ghia...aka Wolfie, under construction... http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=412120

[Multi69s]

I went out to my shed and look at my original Type 3 engine, with similar linkage, and I believe that the OP should have room. When hooking up something like a kick down switch, you always want the linkage arm that is connected to the throttle cable to make contact with the switch.

Unless you running something like a Berg linkage, most linkages have so much flex that you can get inconsistent results if mounted in other locations
_________________
69 road Bug 2110
73 Squareback - 2L, T4, Automatic W/ AC
Gone, but many fond memories 69 Baja Bug 2010 - 5 Rib Bus Transaxle
Gone but not forgotten 72 Baja Bug 2010
My builds
T4 into Squareback http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=458944&highlight=
Auto Trans Rebuild http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=516066&highlight=
AC in Squareback https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...highlight=