Shifting from D into 2 into 1 without stopping the car

[vanuatoo]

I've owned the car so many years, but I only use 2 and 1 when using low range, which means I stop the car and only after that switch.

Is it safe to switch from D to 2 and 2 to 1 or 1 to 2 while the car is moving? In both high and low range?

[Slartibartfast]

I don't see why not. I've used the manual 1 and 2 in high range on steep switchback roads where I would've been riding the brakes the whole way down otherwise. Never had a problem, apart from wondering why it's not grabbing third when I get back to a paved road and forget to shift back to D.

 

That said, think about how fast you're going before you gear down. I don't know that the computer would allow you to do a money shift, but I don't know that it wouldn't. If you slam it in first at highway speed, and it does it, you're gonna put the first connecting rod on the moon.

[hawairish]

You can shift between D, 2, and 1 all you'd like, but as Slartibartfast mentioned, it's all about speed.  And particularly for wheeling, you can switch between them without stopping.  Just keep in mind that when going downward (particular 2 -> 1), you'll have a bit of rev-up, which may also cause some surge when at low speeds.

 

In terms of shifting, the only time you would stop is when going between 4H and 4L; transmission to neutral, vehicle stopped.  If I'm tackling something requiring 4L, it put the trans in 1 from there anyway.  Presuming that since you have an SE, you have the part-time system (I believe the all-mode/dial system was an option on SEs, but standard on LEs)