Automatic Transmission Problem?

Not totally sure what your purpose is in doing this, but I would NEVER shift into first like this unless totally stopped. Generally, when downshifting a manual transmission, you rev the engine so that when you shift into the lower gear, you are matching the engine speed to what the transmission can handle. With an automatic, that doesn't happen and a so you have no idea what engine speed will be (and therefore transmission speed) when you 'downshift'. I would say you should stop doing this, and if you want to shift yourself, buy a car with a manual trans.

Dan D '07 Odyssey Slate Green '04 Audi A4 quattro 6-speed

the transmission is protected - it won't allow shifts that damage it.

Perhaps - but are you saying that a 'grind' or 'clunk' is normal? I don't think so. And if the transmission is starting to develop problems, then manually shifting it certainly won't help it. Again, I would let it perform as designed and shift for itself - that's the best way to protect it.

Dan D '07 Odyssey

how does that work? you're not actuating anything in the box by moving the shift lever - all you're doing is changing from autonomous shift control to non-autonomous. all internals of the box function /exactly/ as before. if there is a "clunk" it's more likely a broken engine mount. or maybe a worn driveshaft or final drive, but the driver alone can't influence how the shifter mechanism behaves to make a noise like that - that bit is fully automatic under all conditions. /and/ there are safety over-rides to protect it from driver mistakes.

is it a "grind" like when your cousin drives your stick and doesn't use the clutch properly, or some other kind of noise? i ask because there is no mechanism inside the transmission that really allows for "grind" unless it's major failure. and have you checked the motor mounts?

that's it.

put it in park [on level ground], lift the hood, and with the parking brake OFF, rock the car back and forth. you'll see the motor move and the cracks should open up to be visible. if you can get an angle to see them. if not, you might need to have an assistant help you rock the car while you poke about with a mirror.

replaced - the rubber breaks apart. usually you can get away with just the rear and front [if yours has a front]. also check for gotchas like bent exhaust touching chassis, loose heat shields, etc.