93 corolla only accelerates good if you change gears manually

[robert sherrod]

i have a 1993 toyota corolla with close to 300,000 miles, runs great. when you start out in drive it accelerates but slow. changes gears fine. if you start in 1st and change them manually it accelerates great. any ideas what could cause?

 

[JohnnieXSE]

Sounds like you need might need new transmission. Have it checked out.

 

[I2k4]

You don't say how long you've owned it and whether current performance is a recent change. My '97 Corolla has a five-speed and low mileage, but I kept couple of American cars with automatics going through deteriorating seals and smoothing jerky shifts with those ATF helpers. In particular I liked Moly products, which enhance lubrication using molybdenum disulfide (google it, and check the Amazon comments, etc.):

Liqui Moly 20040 ATF Additive

Since letting any shop inside an automatic transmission, or a rebuilt, is likely to cost more than the market value of the car, I'd try a dose of moly before giving up on the tranny. Note that Moly also makes an AT Fluid replacement, costs more.