Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Down shifting Auto to slow down

[RMcKinney]

Stock 1995 2500 Auto in a hilly area and tired of worring about my break pads wearing fast. (Truck will be empty and no Trailer)

What is wrong with down shifting Automatic instead of breaking?

Example:In drive at top of hill in Drive and let off Fuel pedal, bottom of hill 40 MPH with a left hand turn.

Down shift to 2nd at to of hill and 20MPH at bottom.

Thanks for your time. Rex McKinney (mckinney839@charter.net)

 

[Joe G.]

You can do that. It will work ok if there is no load. However, it does heat up your trans. Slowing down with a stock trans with no way to lock up the TCC and no exhaust brake is not very efficient to say the least. If you have a load then you can get just about as much braking affect if you put your hand out the window.

 

[RMcKinney]

Thanks for the information Joe.

 

[LandShark]

I've always downshifted when the camper is on the truck and going down very steep hills. So far I have 165,000 miles on original transmission. Another way to look at it is brake pads are cheap ($50 or so) and take a 1/2 hour to install, but a new transmission will set you back $4000!



BTW: I got 45,000 miles out of the first two set of pads (both Dodge), and 65,000 out of the third set of pads from O'Reilly's Auto.

 

[ronco]

RMcKinney,



You should try some experimentation sometime. My "95 with a Suncoast v/b will lock the t/c via PCM above 30 M. P. H. in second gear with o/d off, depending on load. I am sure you have noticed that you can open the throttle slightly at interstate speeds and keep the t/c locked. With your foot off the throttle, the engine just idles. Spend some time on a secondary road to see what speed your PCM requires to lock the t/c with o/d off. You can use that to help slow down with o/d off, and also keep excess heat from building in the t/c. I hope you understand what I mean.



Ronco