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Could someone explain Skip-Shift?

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Old 11-24-2004, 11:40 AM
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finallygot1
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Default Could someone explain Skip-Shift?

Hey guys, new to the C5 world. What is the purpose of the 1-4 skip shift? When the light comes on, will car still go into 2nd, and am I doing damage to the tranny by doing this? I have drove sticks for 30+ years and now I am asking a question about how to shift, maybe I need an automatic.
Old 11-24-2004, 11:46 AM
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Red Vamp
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It is annoying at first but all you have to do is get your revs a little higher before 2nd and it goes away. GM did it to keep the mpg rating higher and possibly to avoid the gas guzzler tax. Many of us "old timers" here on the CF have deactivated the "CAGS" using an inexpesive little device. Do a search on this topic and you'll find there's alot of info out there.

And no, you DIDN'T make a mistake by getting the MN6
Old 11-24-2004, 11:54 AM
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blacksedan87
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CAGS - Computer Assisted Gear Selection is a device that GM installed on the Vette and the F-Bodies when they had the LS1. The point of it as Red Vamp stated, was to improve the CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) rating for Chevrolet. By forcing you to go from first to fourth, the car gets into a higher gear and as a result returns better mileage - and avoids the gas guzzler penalty.

Many have installed the CAGS Eliminator - it's a simple solenoid that plugs into the side of the transaxle and fools the computer. Personally, I just rev the engine to a higher point - say 2K rpm and the annoying CAGS never becomes an issue. Drive it like a sportscar and it won't be a problem. Save the $20 and go buy a Toy for Tots gift.
Old 11-24-2004, 12:02 PM
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Originally Posted by blacksedan87
CAGS - Computer Assisted Gear Selection is a device that GM installed on the Vette and the F-Bodies when they had the LS1. The point of it as Red Vamp stated, was to improve the CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) rating for Chevrolet. By forcing you to go from first to fourth, the car gets into a higher gear and as a result returns better mileage - and avoids the gas guzzler penalty.

Many have installed the CAGS Eliminator - it's a simple solenoid that plugs into the side of the transaxle and fools the computer. Personally, I just rev the engine to a higher point - say 2K rpm and the annoying CAGS never becomes an issue. Drive it like a sportscar and it won't be a problem. Save the $20 and go buy a Toy for Tots gift.
Old 11-24-2004, 12:03 PM
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Automag928
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Originally Posted by blacksedan87
Personally, I just rev the engine to a higher point - say 2K rpm and the annoying CAGS never becomes an issue. Drive it like a sportscar and it won't be a problem. Save the $20 and go buy a Toy for Tots gift.
Either that or give it over 20% gas (just in first gear) and/or rev past 2k...Cheap fix!
Old 11-24-2004, 12:36 PM
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[QUOTE=Automag928]Either that or give it over 20% gas (just in first gear) and/or rev past 2k...Cheap fix!
Old 11-24-2004, 12:37 PM
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Originally Posted by finallygot1
Hey guys, new to the C5 world. What is the purpose of the 1-4 skip shift? When the light comes on, will car still go into 2nd, and am I doing damage to the tranny by doing this? I have drove sticks for 30+ years and now I am asking a question about how to shift, maybe I need an automatic.
Oh and yess, if you continue to force it into 2nd gear you will eventually do some damage.
Old 11-24-2004, 12:40 PM
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RENO
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I was born with a CAGS eliminator attached to my right ankle.
Old 11-24-2004, 12:45 PM
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I just ignore it, give it some more gas and it goes away...or slip it into Neutral and wait and then go to 2nd. I'll install the bypass someday
Old 11-24-2004, 12:58 PM
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Apparently you are driving the car to where the CAGS is not engaging if you can get it in second. I would recommend you buy a CAGS eliminator from one of the forum vendors and not have to worry about it again. Simple install and about $20.
Old 11-24-2004, 01:13 PM
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When I bought my car I got locked out a couple times including once going uphill. The most common situation is in heavy traffic. I bought the CAGS eliminator because I didn't want the car telling me what I could or couldn't do.

I see the 1 to 4 light occasionally in heavy traffic and consider it a safety issue to be unable to shift into 2nd if needed.
Old 11-24-2004, 01:30 PM
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Originally Posted by blacksedan87
CAGS - Computer Assisted Gear Selection is a device that GM installed on the Vette and the F-Bodies when they had the LS1...
Just to pick nits, CAGS has been around since the C4 LT1. On my Camaro LT1, you can disable CAGS by pulling one easily accessible wire on the PCM, and disable the skip-shift dashboard light by pulling another easily accessible another wire. An error code is stored in the computer, but it doesn't turn on the check engine light. It's as if the engineers knew we were going to disconnect them anyway, so they made it easy. I wonder why it's deliberately not as easy to disable anymore, or if it was just a fluke that it used to be very easy.
Old 11-24-2004, 01:43 PM
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Originally Posted by blacksedan87
CAGS - Computer Assisted Gear Selection is a device that GM installed on the Vette and the F-Bodies when they had the LS1. The point of it as Red Vamp stated, was to improve the CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) rating for Chevrolet. By forcing you to go from first to fourth, the car gets into a higher gear and as a result returns better mileage - and avoids the gas guzzler penalty.

Many have installed the CAGS Eliminator - it's a simple solenoid that plugs into the side of the transaxle and fools the computer. Personally, I just rev the engine to a higher point - say 2K rpm and the annoying CAGS never becomes an issue. Drive it like a sportscar and it won't be a problem. Save the $20 and go buy a Toy for Tots gift.

Just watch the light on the dash. Once it goes off you can shift to 2nd instead of being forced into 4th. You'll notice it doesn't take much throttle to get past the 1-4 shift light.
Old 11-24-2004, 01:52 PM
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BILL RUPP
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Get the eliminator. Easy install and let's you drive the car like you want. Maybe the best mod I have made.

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