I have noticed recently that there seems to be two "gears" while in 5th gear. I know it isn't an actual gear but acts almost identical to one. It happens the most when I am accelerating uphill. As the car is gaining speed it is hesitant to shift to higher gears. I can coax it out of 4th into 5th, or do it manually, and the rpms sit steady at 2000 for a speed of 60 mph. Once I reach the top of the hill and level out, it will act like it is shifting again to a higher gear, and the rpms will fall to 1500 where they normally are at 60 mph. I can also do this while cruising on a flat surface by slightly pushing on the accelerator like I want to downshift. If I do it easy enough, I can get to these higher rpms while still in 5th gear.

Has anyone else experienced this? The only thing I could think of to explain it would be an overdrive, but I'm not sure. It acts so much like an extra gear it confuses me.

 

I believe both 4th and 5th gears are technically overdrive gears. What you're probably seeing/feeling is the torque converter unlocking/locking.

 

if the car requires more power such as going up a hill the torque converter will unlock and allow the engine to spin at a faster rate then a direct connection would.

The higher rev's mean more power (for that instance) and thus allows it to climb up the hill without an issue.

 

Got it. I knew something was happening, but I couldn't even begin to guess what it was. Thanks guys.