'05 48RE Changes?? Explain the "NO LOCKOUT"

[tschwab]

I have read about it and know you cannot lockout OD and alot of '05 48RE owners are complaining about this. I understand it is a good thing to lockout OD when towing to stop the transmission from going in and out of OD, but have yet not towed my 5vr.



Could someone "in the know" explain DC's reasoning for doing this? There must have been something positive for their decision to change this? Not looking for complainers, but reasons why this was done.

 

[Tim]

Modern automatic transmissions have a computer to control the shifts. I hardly believe many of you are more capable than a computer logic circuit is at selecting a gear.



Just my opinion.

 

[BHolm]

Once you get a chance to try the tow/haul with the trailer on you might find you really like it, I know I do. The days fo having to lock out the OD to tow have long since passed. The new genaeration of auto trannies is perfectly capable of full load towing in OD so you really do not need to worry about that. Tow/Haul will lock the convertor early in third gear and make a 3-4 shift locked up. It will hold the lower gear longer eliminating shifting back and forth. I drive a lot in the mtns and really love this feature.



The one drawback I found is that, when you can not lock out OD for downhills speed becomes an issue. I drive slower roads usually and I can select 2nd gear which works well for engine braking up to about 40-45 mph. Beyond that you are pretty much relying on the service brakes.



More control is always and issue with an auto. That is why the six speed is a popular way to go for those who tow alot. I think that the Allison has some pretty good features built in and I hope Dodge adds better grade braking in the next auto. Otherwise I rather like how the '05 48re functions, it just takes a little time to figure out how to work with the features you have.

 

[tschwab]

BHolm, Thank you for the comprehensive explanation, it makes perfectly good sense to me and I cannot wait to try it out towing, just got my new 5vr hitch installed. I have read so many posts of others bashing the '05 48RE because it was not capable of locking out OD, but have not really heard of anyone towing with it until your post.



OD lockout = old school, '05 48RE = new school. I really doubted DC would make this change unless it was an improvement and you have proved me right. Thanks!

 

[BNH4221]

I really doubted DC would make this change unless it was an improvement and you have proved me right

Call me a conspiracy theorist, but I simply cannot imagine DC making a change for improvement sake only.

I am quite sure that they made the change to save $$. Bean counters all of them. More profit is their mantra.



Change from tried and true Dana axles to American Axle. Better? I think not. (Reference threads on vibrations)



Thinner sheet metal. Better? Nope. Save $$



Cheap paint. Better? No again.



Seats that are too short, cheezy "premium" sound systems, deleted OD lockout, the list goes on and on and on.



In short, NO manufacturer does anything to benefit the consumer. It's all about profit.



Now, perhaps the lack of an OD lockout will work better for you, and I hope it does, but for me , I like the control I can have with it.



Ok, enough out of me. Flame suit on!



Steve

 

[TFucili]

My '04 Chebby 8. 1/Alli uses the same button on the shifter stalk for both tow/haul and OD lockout. Push and release toggles tow/haul, and push and hold to toggle OD lockout. This should be able to programmed in inexpensively and keep everyone(well,almost)happy.

 

[BHolm]

Steve, No doubt the manufacturers are going cheap on us. On my '03 Chev they even deleted the underhood light that was on my '01. This was a loaded $48,000 truck :{



With the tow/haul they didn't just "steal" your o/d lockout they actually GAVE us something in place of it. Whether or not the new works better than the old for you is up for grabs. For me, I prefer the T/H.



TFucili, I would love to see a more effective T/H and the OD lockout as the Allison has. Nobody has made a trans that has that and the torque capacity the Cummins requires. The Allison certainly can't do it in its current form.

 

[Bertram65]

My '03 has the OD lockout, the only advantage I can see to it is being able to control the downshift to 3rd, if I wait for the truck downshift it is violent, if I let off the throttle slightly and do it with the OD button is it smooth and controlled, I cannot help but think it is easier on the drivetrain to downshift manually if you know it is coming.

 

[F-15I Ra'am]

Well if I heard Clint Cannon right, at the ATS Summit several weeks ago. D. C. added this "nice" little feature for emmissions and to hinder B. O. M. B. ing of the vehicle!

 

[tschwab]

Call me a conspiracy theorist, but I simply cannot imagine DC making a change for improvement sake only.

I am quite sure that they made the change to save $$. Bean counters all of them. More profit is their mantra.



Change from tried and true Dana axles to American Axle. Better? I think not. (Reference threads on vibrations)



Thinner sheet metal. Better? Nope. Save $$



Cheap paint. Better? No again.



Seats that are too short, cheezy "premium" sound systems, deleted OD lockout, the list goes on and on and on.



In short, NO manufacturer does anything to benefit the consumer. It's all about profit.



Now, perhaps the lack of an OD lockout will work better for you, and I hope it does, but for me , I like the control I can have with it.



Ok, enough out of me. Flame suit on!



Steve

Steve, Sorry to hear you are not pleased with your '04. 5. Of course ALL manufacturer's are in business to make money, but you also need to look at all the improvements the 3G has over the 2G, much better brakes, steering, stronger frame, etc to name a few. I also had a '98 12V and have not looked back. No way would I trade the '05 to go back to a 2G.



The paint on mine is fine, thinner sheetmetal?? Love my heated leather seats, I agree, the Infinity sound system is not upto par. No axle problems or vibes here. The Dodge/CTD is still far superior to the Dmax or PSD, just go visit their message boards.

 

[hasselbach]

Modern automatic transmissions have a computer to control the shifts. I hardly believe many of you are more capable than a computer logic circuit is at selecting a gear.



Just my opinion.

I disagree, no matter how good a computer may be, I've never seen one that would adequately determine the correct gear in all towing and non-towing applications. . One doesn't have to be a rocket scientist to determine the correct gear. . My 04. 5 that I just traded in would either lug the motor at times, or stick in gear too long. . Maybe the computer wasn't logical enough to do its job. .

 

[p-Bar]

Just remember "Big Brother" knows what is best for you.

 

[MikeBeggy]

Regarding BHolm's post, inability to engine brake while in OD, per a previous post, I can force my 48re to downshift to 3rd and provide engine braking if I take my foot off the accelerator pedal and engage the tow/haul button. It works very well to slow down from 75 plus speeds and on long grades. FYI.

 

[tschwab]

Guess some people will never be satisfied no matter what DC does, somebody always has to grip about something. Obviously you know better than the manufacturer and I'm sure your testing and R&D is much much more extensive.

 

[TFucili]

TFucili, I would love to see a more effective T/H and the OD lockout as the Allison has. Nobody has made a trans that has that and the torque capacity the Cummins requires. The Allison certainly can't do it in its current form. [/QUOTE]



I was not endorsing the Allison, just suggesting that the same button on the stalk COULD be used to perform both functions. My 3500 hasn't come in yet so I can't judge the '05 programming yet.

 

[BHolm]

In the end, the six speed is the answer. I don't think that you can reasonably expect any manufacturer to offer "perfect" auto trans programming. For one thing, I think they know that those seeking total control buy the manuals anyway. I do think that the Allison comes closest so far, I have owned two of them. That trans is highly computerized and "learns" your habits. It truely is pretty effective I just wish it had the torque capacity.

 

[Tim]

I disagree, no matter how good a computer may be, I've never seen one that would adequately determine the correct gear in all towing and non-towing applications. . One doesn't have to be a rocket scientist to determine the correct gear. . My 04. 5 that I just traded in would either lug the motor at times, or stick in gear too long. . Maybe the computer wasn't logical enough to do its job. .

I guess I'll never know. I don't drive automatics, I just enjoy reading the horror stories from those that do.

Change from tried and true Dana axles to American Axle. Better? I think not. (Reference threads on vibrations)

GM hasn't had any problems with them, and they've been using them for many years.

 

[GaryCarter]

I disagree, no matter how good a computer may be, I've never seen one that would adequately determine the correct gear in all towing and non-towing applications. . One doesn't have to be a rocket scientist to determine the correct gear. . My 04. 5 that I just traded in would either lug the motor at times, or stick in gear too long. . Maybe the computer wasn't logical enough to do its job. .

If people are so much smarter, then how come once a week we see a post asking "Is it OK to tow in OD"?

You don't have to be a rocket scientist to know most drivers never read the manual.



Now don't get me wrong, I want a manual selection option for every gear in the trans AND control of the torque converter lockup.



Mike

 

[pecandude1]

bump to the top

 

[SThorud]

Well, I do know for a fact that the '06 Dodge/CTDs w/ 48RE have a control that allows tow/haul mode and OD lockout. Apparently they got enough backlash from going to T/H mode only in 05. Having both is the best of both worlds.