First observations

[BEmmert]

So I am considering a new 2010 3500 Ram. I test drove both the manual and the auto today. I felt the manual worked better with the exhaust brake as it would come on sooner and stay on longer. Has anyone else noticed this? The auto seemed to be a bit more noisy than the manual as the typical auto rpm growl as I call it was still there even with this new combination of gears. Both trucks drove very nice and seemed comparable in power.

For those who pull with them, do you have any likes or dislikes about ether combination? I wont be pulling every day but when I do pull I want the combination that will do the best. Also are there still any probloms with the oil level rising and or emissions if not driven on the highway each and ever day for 20 miles?



Thank you for you input!

 

[Dieselnut59]

You can't beat a manual transmission for pulling and fuel efficiency. No matter how "smart" an automatic transmission is, it can never actually see what is ahead and adjust to the condition ahead of time. Exhaust brakes do work better with manual transmissions.

 

[CStringer]

You can't beat a manual transmission for pulling and fuel efficiency. No matter how "smart" an automatic transmission is, it can never actually see what is ahead and adjust to the condition ahead of time. Exhaust brakes do work better with manual transmissions.

tru. I have a c/c with the aisin. so far seems to be a great working transmission. However, if i replace this truck, it will probably be with a manual just for a couple key reasons...



1. initial purchase price

2. maintenance costs

3. driver is smarter than an auto transmission computer

4. not nearly as much power loss thru manual vs. auto



hope this helps.



and the reason eb works better with a manual, is you can have it engaged all the way down through 1st gear. in the auto, the eb can only be engaged when the torque converter is locked



btw, what are you towing, how heavy, and how frequent? If i was just a weekend puller, i'd go with the auto if the truck will be your d/d throughout the week. its very nice to just jump in and hit the go pedal and nothing else sometimes... . It also seems to be the consensus from what Ive read here on tdr and over at cumminsforum that the auto in the pickups is a very stout, strong transmission. which do you really prefer? in the end, you'll be the one with the monthly payment, so get what you really want!:-laf

 

[BEmmert]

Well that is just it, I am torn between the two options. I have driven a manual for the past 10 years and on the farm everything is manual. I am just getting tired of shifting while in town and really I wont pull on a regular bases, but when I do I like the ultimate control of the manual. The over all maintenance cost worries me a bit with the auto, but the convenience of hopping in and going with the option to select gears is quite appealing. As of now I am heavily considering the auto, but wanted to hear what others had to say. It will be rare for me to pull much over 15,000 at any given time, but I am in the Northwest with some decent hills to make a trans work pretty hard.



Thanks for the responses guys!

 

[RVTRKN]

So I am considering a new 2010 3500 Ram. I test drove both the manual and the auto today. I felt the manual worked better with the exhaust brake as it would come on sooner and stay on longer. Has anyone else noticed this? The auto seemed to be a bit more noisy than the manual as the typical auto rpm growl as I call it was still there even with this new combination of gears. Both trucks drove very nice and seemed comparable in power.

For those who pull with them, do you have any likes or dislikes about ether combination? I wont be pulling every day but when I do pull I want the combination that will do the best. Also are there still any probloms with the oil level rising and or emissions if not driven on the highway each and ever day for 20 miles?



Thank you for you input!

My opinion, is manual is the only option for me for reasons already stated, however an auto is much quicker and less work, when the manual is slower and more work. If you have a lead foot the auto should be your choice. I own both manuals and there slow (no speed shifting with the NV or G56). My C&C with the DPF and G56 is the slowest when I'm in regen . The latest flash changed my RPM's (dropping between shifts) a lot slower when in regen, so I keep the RPMs under 2000 or it seems like my throttle sticks. This makes my truck seem like a turtle until the regen has finished. But I would still buy another manual.

 

[rwitt]

I had the 6 speed manual in my 07 with PacBrake, and now because I didn't want to shift anymore, have the 09 with auto and factory exhaust brake. Liked them both, the ebrake does work better with manual as stated earlier because of working in any gear, all the way down to idle speed. The auto trans truck ebrake doesn't work below 20 mph due to the torque converter unlocking at that speed which turns off the ebrake. You can't beat this automatic though for all around use. It's really nice to just put it in gear and go, especially in traffic. The double OD is great for hiway cruising and not running high rpm's. Tows great, and with the manual select shift you can keep it in any gear you want. The only drawback (if it really is one) I see with it is the ebrake not working below 20 mph.

Rich

 

[CStringer]

My C&C with the DPF and G56 is the slowest when I'm in regen . The latest flash changed my RPM's (dropping between shifts) a lot slower when in regen, so I keep the RPMs under 2000 or it seems like my throttle sticks. This makes my truck seem like a turtle until the regen has finished. But I would still buy another manual.

Wow, something seems off with that... my c/c in regen acts like i put 120hp tune in it... . night and day power difference



i guess due to the "4th" injection, extra fuel left over in the cylinder?

 

[CStringer]

Well that is just it, I am torn between the two options. I have driven a manual for the past 10 years and on the farm everything is manual. I am just getting tired of shifting while in town and really I wont pull on a regular bases, but when I do I like the ultimate control of the manual. The over all maintenance cost worries me a bit with the auto, but the convenience of hopping in and going with the option to select gears is quite appealing. As of now I am heavily considering the auto, but wanted to hear what others had to say. It will be rare for me to pull much over 15,000 at any given time, but I am in the Northwest with some decent hills to make a trans work pretty hard.



Thanks for the responses guys!

It really sounds like you need convinced to go with the auto :-laf



From reading your posts, I think you'd be more than happy with the auto. When I mentioned maintenance costs, I believe the p/u auto is way cheaper than the c/c? ya, just checked geno's... BOTH filters for teh 68RFE are ~$47... the c/c SINGLE transmission filter is $132.....



and correct me if im wrong, but the spin on filter is the only one needing serviced? or is it an every other change deal... spin on change, then next time both, then spin on... etc...



go with the auto... take a break from shifting... relax... looool

 

[RVTRKN]

Wow, something seems off with that... my c/c in regen acts like i put 120hp tune in it... . night and day power difference



i guess due to the "4th" injection, extra fuel left over in the cylinder?

Per your signature, yours is an Auto? If I keep accelerating past 2000 RPM, it will take off like a bat out of hell. The problem is, when I engage the clutch past 2000 RPM, the engine RPM stays at whatever RPM I was at when I engaged the clutch for a couple of seconds giving the sensation that the throttle sticks. I had my tech hook up their computer, then we went on a test drive and he confirmed what I described but said that the computer indicated no codes or problems and is just the way it is programed.



It did not do this until I had the latest flash performed. What sucks is, I did not have any problems with my C&C until the flash. I don't recommend flashing them for anybody that doesn't have problems. I was recommended it because there are some benefits per the DPF lasting longer. But my tech warned me there was no going back and he was not aware of the difference in the programing, and it was my decision, I guess I screwed up. :-laf

 

[CStringer]

Yep, its an auto. I think I understand what youre saying... at low rpms, say taking off from a stop light, there is a bit of hesitation. Almost like a zero boost situation. Once I get to 1800+, it really comes to life, and like you stated, over 2000, it screams almost instantly to redline.



I was going to have mine reflashed to the newest a few months ago, but the dealer was going to charge me $85 to do it... I said see ya later



But, if all goes correct with work this week, i got a strong feeling that "rust" is going to overtake my exhaust system... :-laf

 

[BEmmert]

I am pretty sure I am going to go with the auto, it was sure nice to drive. That means I will have to get the entertainment display as well because what else will I do with a free hand? :-laf
Have any of you with the 2010s had the oil rising issue that the early 6. 7s had?

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

BEmmert if you tow Cabbage Hill the auto should stay locked in tow-haul mode and overheating shouldn't be a problem.

One question to ask is what gears the auto locks in, if its 4-5-6 or what. . . if you had a heavy load hopefully you could stay locked in 4th or maybe even 3rd.

Out of curiosity are you looking at Gilbert there in Wally World or over here in the Tri-Cities?

 

[BEmmert]

Yeah cabbage is one of the hills that I would put that trans to its test on. I have been looking at Gilbert and Dave Smith. Have not looked at any in tri-cities yet, do you have any good suggestions?



Thanks

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

I wouldn't bother with Tri-Cities, bought new from Lithia once and didn't have a good experience. Mid-Valley Chrysler near Grandview treated me pretty good when I was looking, but if I bought new again I'd look first at Dishman Dodge in Spokane. For awhile they were having TDR member specials, Adam Macomber was the contact and sold quite a few trucks to people here on this board. Not sure if they're really doing it still but worth calling and finding out. One thread as an example https://www.turbodieselregister.com...ions-2007-5/189686-thanks-new-truck-adam.html