CAGS De-Mystified! - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Apex Motorsports · 04-12-2013, 04:51 PM

CAGS, or Computer-Aided Gear Selection (commonly referred to as "Skip Shift"), is a feature on newer domestic performance vehicles equipped with a six speed manual transmission. The purpose of CAGS is to help avoid the “gas guzzler” tax by improving fuel economy under “normal” driving conditions. CAGS is activated in the 2010-up Camaro SS and ZL1 when:

you are in first gear
you are using 21% throttle or less
you are traveling between 15 & 19 mph
and your engine coolant temperature is greater than 169°F (76°C)

When these parameters are met, CAGS overrides the driver and locks out 2nd and 3rd gear, forcing the driver to shift directly from 1st to 4th gear. For many drivers this factory installed nuisance is unacceptable. After all, if they wanted a computer to decide what gear they should be in they would have bought an automatic. For those extensively modifying their vehicle, CAGS can be “turned off” with a performance tuner. For the average bolt on car or for those who wish to keep their warranty intact the safest and most economical way to eliminate CAGS is by installing a high Skip Shift Eliminator. These units actually trick the computer into thinking it’s still in control but will not allow CAGS to activate and will not trigger trouble codes or the CEL light.

A quality Skip Shift Eliminator, like the one manufactured by Apex Motorsports, uses OEM weather-proof plugs and is installed in minutes by simply lifting your vehicle, unplugging the CAGS wiring harness from its solenoid (the solenoid is located on the drivers side towards the top of the transmission in the case of the new Camaro), and plugging the Skip Shift Eliminator inline between the harness and solenoid. Just like that, CAGS is gone. For more detailed information on installing a Skip Shift Eliminator check out the thread at the link below.

Orange Krate's EPIC Apex Skip Shift Eliminator Installation

The Stig · 04-12-2013, 05:14 PM

That sir is an awesome photoshop. Makes me realize why some people always use caps lock - they just don't want to skip shift

camguynj · 04-12-2013, 05:44 PM

1st mod I did with only 43 miles on the car.

mikeyg36 · 04-12-2013, 09:31 PM

Didn't know the ZL1 had CAGs. I don't see why it does, it already has the tax.

SSMickey · 04-12-2013, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeyg36

Didn't know the ZL1 had CAGs. I don't see why it does, it already has the tax.

It lessens the tax.

Stealth6 · 04-13-2013, 10:14 AM

Placed my order this morning..... got tired of procrastinating.

Many thanks, Apex Chase!

Apex Motorsports · 09-07-2013, 05:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Stig

That sir is an awesome photoshop. Makes me realize why some people always use caps lock - they just don't want to skip shift

That is Apex Paul's work. I thought it was pretty funny too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stealth6

Placed my order this morning..... got tired of procrastinating.

Many thanks, Apex Chase!

Thanks for your order.

Zabo · 09-10-2013, 02:03 PM

May have procrastinated too long here, Chase.. GM opened a file on a possible clutch fail and TO bearing due to Skip Shift and dem Kentuckah hallers.

Apex Motorsports · 09-10-2013, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zabo

May have procrastinated too long here, Chase.. GM opened a file on a possible clutch fail and TO bearing due to Skip Shift and dem Kentuckah hallers.

Interesting.

Zabo · 09-11-2013, 03:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apex Chase

Interesting.

Yep. It's over (again, 3rd time) at Tom Gill with the shop foreman driving it. Not sure if it's related so much to CAGS but more PCM but my 4th to 5th ratio/rev management is also off to the point where the engine is hardly dropping rpms from 4th to 5th.. almost as if i had a 4.5 gear and a 6th gear.

NEVER seen Skip Shift go so far as to bog the car to the point the clutch slipped.

Buy the eliminator guys.. save yourself the trouble of dealing with these gremlins because IMO this system just needs to be taken off the table in the 6th gen Manual and for that matter should have been taken out of the C7.

Apex Motorsports · 02-05-2014, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zabo

Yep. It's over (again, 3rd time) at Tom Gill with the shop foreman driving it. Not sure if it's related so much to CAGS but more PCM but my 4th to 5th ratio/rev management is also off to the point where the engine is hardly dropping rpms from 4th to 5th.. almost as if i had a 4.5 gear and a 6th gear.

NEVER seen Skip Shift go so far as to bog the car to the point the clutch slipped.

Buy the eliminator guys.. save yourself the trouble of dealing with these gremlins because IMO this system just needs to be taken off the table in the 6th gen Manual and for that matter should have been taken out of the C7.

What ever came of this?

jmelchio · 02-05-2014, 07:22 PM

That was the first mod I installed also. How does forcing a 1-4 shift save fuel?

Apex Motorsports · 02-06-2014, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmelchio

That was the first mod I installed also. How does forcing a 1-4 shift save fuel?

In the real world is doesn't. It is more about scoring points with the .gov so they can avoiding having to charge the gas guzzler tax. But a $20 Skip Shift Eliminator isn't a bad trade off to avoid a $2500 tax.

jmelchio · 02-06-2014, 09:28 AM

Agreed, it's a good trade. I could never figure out what the CAGS bought you. Glad to hear I'm not the only one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apex Chase

In the real world is doesn't. It is more about scoring points with the .gov so they can avoiding having to charge the gas guzzler tax. But a $20 Skip Shift Eliminator isn't a bad trade off to avoid a $2500 tax.

04-12-2013, 04:51 PM	#1
Apex Motorsports Drives: 2000 Camaro SS Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Louisville, Ky. Posts: 25,179	CAGS De-Mystified! CAGS, or Computer-Aided Gear Selection (commonly referred to as "Skip Shift"), is a feature on newer domestic performance vehicles equipped with a six speed manual transmission. The purpose of CAGS is to help avoid the “gas guzzler” tax by improving fuel economy under “normal” driving conditions. CAGS is activated in the 2010-up Camaro SS and ZL1 when: you are in first gear you are using 21% throttle or less you are traveling between 15 & 19 mph and your engine coolant temperature is greater than 169°F (76°C) When these parameters are met, CAGS overrides the driver and locks out 2nd and 3rd gear, forcing the driver to shift directly from 1st to 4th gear. For many drivers this factory installed nuisance is unacceptable. After all, if they wanted a computer to decide what gear they should be in they would have bought an automatic. For those extensively modifying their vehicle, CAGS can be “turned off” with a performance tuner. For the average bolt on car or for those who wish to keep their warranty intact the safest and most economical way to eliminate CAGS is by installing a high Skip Shift Eliminator. These units actually trick the computer into thinking it’s still in control but will not allow CAGS to activate and will not trigger trouble codes or the CEL light. A quality Skip Shift Eliminator, like the one manufactured by Apex Motorsports, uses OEM weather-proof plugs and is installed in minutes by simply lifting your vehicle, unplugging the CAGS wiring harness from its solenoid (the solenoid is located on the drivers side towards the top of the transmission in the case of the new Camaro), and plugging the Skip Shift Eliminator inline between the harness and solenoid. Just like that, CAGS is gone. For more detailed information on installing a Skip Shift Eliminator check out the thread at the link below. Orange Krate's EPIC Apex Skip Shift Eliminator Installation

04-12-2013, 05:14 PM	#2
The Stig knows 2 facts about ducks Drives: ...and they're both wrong Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The HMS Invincible Posts: 25,072 View My Garage	That sir is an awesome photoshop. Makes me realize why some people always use caps lock - they just don't want to skip shift __________________

04-12-2013, 05:44 PM	#3
camguynj Drives: '13 SS/RS LS3 BRM Cammed NPP Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: NJ Posts: 3,812 View My Garage	1st mod I did with only 43 miles on the car. __________________ Performance: CAI, Ported TB, Hurst ShortShifter,SkipShift Eliminator, 3.91 gears, Spohn rear TAs, BMR rear swaybar, Hedmen Shortys, Solo HF Cats, QTP Cutouts, DashLogic,Elite CC,Vitesse Throttle Controller,CurbAlert Appearance: 20" Nitto Redlines, Rocket Muscle Boosters w/knockoff spinners, Underbody LEDs, Footwell ,Dome & Door pull LEDs, RapidFire LED Tailights , DRL LEDs, Chrome Ghost parking lights, Lloyds Mats, SS Kick Plates, Bowtie Hoodliner, '67 fender flags, Billet pedals, Heritage SS grill & deck emblems, rear deck blackout, custom engine brace

04-13-2013, 10:14 AM	#6
Stealth6 Drives: '17 GT350 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Boston Posts: 277	Skip Shift... Placed my order this morning..... got tired of procrastinating. Many thanks, Apex Chase!

02-05-2014, 07:22 PM	#12
jmelchio SSmokinJoe Drives: 2010 SIM 1SS/RS M6 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Pittsburgh, North Hills Posts: 568 View My Garage	That was the first mod I installed also. How does forcing a 1-4 shift save fuel? __________________ 1SS/RS Silver with Black Rally Stripes. 35% Tint Roto-Fab CAI SLP Loudmouth II Axleback Hurst Shifter R1Concepts Slotted Rotors Hawk Ceramic Brakepads I drive way too fast to worry about my cholesterol.

04-12-2013, 09:31 PM	#4
mikeyg36 Drives: 2015 Z/28 #533 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: NY Posts: 6,731	Didn't know the ZL1 had CAGs. I don't see why it does, it already has the tax.

09-10-2013, 02:03 PM	#8
Zabo Gunning for Sixth Drives: '03 ZR2 Blazer Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Woodhaven, Michigan Posts: 9,358 View My Garage	May have procrastinated too long here, Chase.. GM opened a file on a possible clutch fail and TO bearing due to Skip Shift and dem Kentuckah hallers.