Autobahn package - what is it?

What's an Autobahn - and do I have one ?
This is a variation on what is one of the most common questions on the forums.

"What is the Autobahn option?"

The Autobahn option only applies to classic Auroras and it was a factory option that included Michelin tires with a V speed rating instead of a standard S rating, and a 3.71 transaxle final ratio instead of the standard 3.48. What they didn't advertise - and the reason why many people ask if they have the option - is that these two changes allowed the engineers at Oldsmobile to increase the speed limiter from 110 mph in the non-Autobahn car up to 135-140 mph in the Autobahn equipped car. In addition to a greater maximum speed the optional transaxle ratio also gives quicker acceleration (and poorer fuel economy).

"Do I have one?"

The obvious way to find out if your Aurora has the Autobahn option is to take the car out for a drive and see if you can go faster than 110 mph - this may not be practical though, and an easier way is to check the tire information label inside the driver's door and see if it lists V rated tires, don't bother to check the tires themselves as they may not be the originals. Another way is to read the RPO list which you'll find inside the trunk - (the exact location of the list depends on the year of the car, up to 1996 it was inside the trunk liner near the antenna, and on the 1997 and up it was on the inside of the spare tire cover.) The autobahn car will have a code of QQX for the V rated tires, and a code of FV4 for the final drive ratio of 3.71.

Oldsmobile dealers may have offered different packages of options, or "Preferred Equipment Groups" but nothing else was included with the Autobahn package from the factory. Chrome wheels, sliding glass sun roof, gold graphics and more were all offered as options on the Aurora, but none of these on the car are an indication that the car has the Autobahn option.

Autobahn was not an option with the 4 litre Generation 2 Auroras, they have H rated tires standard, as well as the 3.71 final drive ratio and they are speed limited to 135 mph.

(Tire speed ratings: V=149 mph; H=130 mph; S=112 mph.)

www.howardm.net/dred98/autobahn.php

You're welcome, and welcome to the best Aurora site on the web. But I just cut and pasted Howard's (dred98) work from his web site linked at the bottom. So I'll steal some more stuff about the 98-99 model years for ya.

Improvements for 1998:

New front control arm design with front hydraulic bushing and rear cross axis ball joint for smoothness and isolation.

Internal rebound springs added to front struts for improved body motion control and to minimize crashthrough

Increased wheel travel (3MM) and redesigned jounce bumpers for softer feel at full travel

Dual durameter cradle mounts for improved isolation

Premium valving/damping in front and rear struts for a higher refinement in calibration

New more accurate wheel sensors for improved ABS actuation

New steering calibration for more on center feel and reduced parking lot effort.

www.howardm.net/dred98/review1.php

These questions have come up a lot lately... I think Letitroll's comprehensive answers (or copying and pasting from dred98's webpage anyway ) deserve a sticky!

Seems to me that the Autobahn package would also require a Autobahn computer. But I could be mistaken.

hmm, i bet you could find one at the junk yard and replace it with the non-autobahn computer!, i might just have to do that, although the transmission is different, hmm...

It's a great feature, but yeah don't base your buying decision just based on whether or not the Aurora is an Autobahn. You'll love the car either way!

I believe the Autobahn package was available for all 95-99 models. Please correct me if I'm mistaken.

The autobahn option is easialy added. You need a 3.71 differential (changed from 3.48) and your computer reprogrammed, or if you have a '95, the EPROM needs to be changed. I did this to a '95 and a '97 aurora, works flawlessly. If you don't get the PCM changed the shift timing will be wrong (instead of .35sec shifts they will be more like 1 sec) and torque management will prevent you from accelerating at normal power (your car will be gutless.) Also, if you have a 95-99 and want to put a newer trans in your car ('00-'06 4t80-e) you need to replace the wiring harness inside the trans as well as the valve body with the fluid pressure switch, and put your p/n safety switch on the outside of the case and re-use it. I have also done this and it works flawlessly. In some situations (like a '95) you may need to change the pressure control solenoid in the side of the case because it has a different electrical connector. Any questions on any of this, and i'd be glad to help.

Actually, if you have the tools a typical mechanic has, and you're just changing the differential, it takes about an hour. For the computer programming, it takes about 10 minutes. (a 95 you have to change the EPROM) I just happen to work at a dealership, so all this information is readily availiable and so are all the tools. If anyone wants to know anything about this, i'd be glad to help. jasontheisen@hotmail.com

So a V rated tire on the inside door panel would indicate an Autobahn package on a '99?

Sweet, got one! Wouldn't of known otherwise...

Right. Autobahns don't have any special badging.

Quicker shifts? I don't think autobahn package included quicker shifts. Top speed limiter, not too sure how easy it is... But i'm also interested

I obviously mis-read Aurorabrain's post at the top of Pg. 2 regarding quicker shifts, so forget that part. Marc, can you advise on how to find a chip without the speed limit?