How to smooth out the tranny shifts?
 

I am new to "sports" automatic tranmissions and need a few tips on how to drive them. I have issues shifting smoothly from 1st to 2nd. In town, I can start in 2nd and have no problem at all. Does it put more wear on the transmission to start in 2nd gear (torque converter)?

When doing spirited driving, how can one smooth out the shift from 1st to 2nd?

Whatever tips you may have regarding shifting the better... thanks in advance!

Starting off in 2nd is perfectly fine in an automatic since the torque converter is fluid-based, so its not like you're slipping a clutch as in a manual. Starting in 2nd also saves gas.

As for smoothing out shifts, how old/mileage is your vehicle? Maybe a transmission fluid flush may help. High-throttle, higher rpm upshifts tend to be more pronounced (I like this actually), so sport mode will affect smoothness. However, if you're in normal D and don't accelerate too hard, the 1-2 upshift should occur around 2000-2500rpm and should be relatively seamless once the drivetrain warms up.

Ah awesome. I will continue starting in 2nd then (agreed about mileage). Vehicle is 2004 mileage is 31k. In D I can see the shift from 1st to 2nd but I really like to control teh shifting to make it as easy on the tranny as possible.

1st to 2nd seems to take a little bit longer to happen. I try to shift, wait 1 second then lift off and re-apply gas when tranny is engaged. I guess regarding high rpm shifts, I just need to practice more?

You do not need to lift the throttle in a Steptronic. There's almost always a lag between your shift command and the transmission actually carrying it out. You're in no way driving a manual, as much as you would like to think you are.....heck it will upshift for you prematurely in 1st even in manual mode.