How to use 6 speed auto 68rfe, ist impressions with Dodge

[SBreaux]

Well now I am a Dodge fan. I traded my '05 2500HD D/A GMC crew cab for an '07 Mega Cab 3500 dually 4x4. I have no complaints about my GMC, and the Dodge I am very happy with.



I can say, get the AU update. It made a big difference in performance and fuel mileage in my truck. I had the flash from 6/07, and updated just a week ago before going on vacation.



My question first is how should the new 6 speed be used. I cannot find any information on how to use the transmission so to speak. I will say how I have been using it.



I live in western oklahoma and took a trip to branson and eureka springs this past week so I got to really see how this truck performed.



I have always left my transmission indicator in the "D" position. I have used the tow haul switch but found that just using this empty would make a rough shift when slowing down. After I discovered that the + and - padel on the shift handle made a big difference in shifting when using it over the tow haul switch in the mountains. I always had the EB on, and now I really can tell the difference from flat land driving to mountain driving.



Using the padel on the shifter to go between "5" and "6" as indicated on the dashboard was best for me. I left the tow haul switch alone and just used the + and - shifter and the shifting performance was awesome. I just don't know if that is how I am suppose to use the shifter on the 68rfe transmission.



I am not by any means a diesel expert. I don't pull anything bigger than a 4 stall horse trailer, I do however like to take care of my equiptment, and I have not found any information on how to use the transmission. I would appreciate any input.

 

[SNiebaum]

I don't know about the new trans operation but I will say you have one beautiful truck... .

 

[RScaletti]

SB - I run the G56 (6 speed man. ) trans so I can't help with your trans question either, but I will second what SN said... beautiful rig! Mine is getting the AU flash on Monday and I am hoping for better economy. In 10k miles, my overall avg is 14. 3 mixed empty/towing/local/highway.



My question for you, are they Mopar nerf bars or aftemarket? I am trying to find a set of those that are straight without the curved ends.



Good Luck with your new toy!

 

[SBreaux]

RS,



Thank you so very much. SN, thank you also. It is a good looking black. Has the flakes in it.



RS, the nerf bars are factory. I believe they were a $600. 00 list price option. They work very well. I only have 1750 miles on my truck, and these were all in the last three weeks. The flash made a big difference in my truck. I get 3 more miles per gallon now. I am at 16mpg.



I asked to watch my dealer do the flash since when I went in the factory had issued a dealer bulliten, and when I asked about it, the dealer didn't know. Then when I left it to be "flashed", the service writer explained to me two hours later that there was no flash avalible, that the lights on my truck when backing up were "safty" features. As you can see, I had to stay after that. This really did happen. I had the instructions in my truck and a young mechanic and I flashed the ECM with a new boot loader and then the new code.



I don't think you can flash the ECM unless the code on the programmer is current (8. 01) I think. You just have to be careful that the right flash is selected because I saw three flashes that we could have downloaded. We got the right one, and it took about 30 minutes for the whole thing.



Ask your dealer to also put the "authorized" tag under the hood. My dealer wasn't really interested in filling out the tag and sticking in on. but he did when I insisted.



Good luck Monday,



SB

 

[Drdorian]

I have always left my transmission indicator in the "D" position. I have used the tow haul switch but found that just using this empty would make a rough shift when slowing down. After I discovered that the + and - padel on the shift handle made a big difference in shifting when using it over the tow haul switch in the mountains. .

The reason for the hard shift in tow haul is for a couple of reasons... 1) quicker shifts ensure transmission durability, slow, easy shifts will wear the trans a bit more. If you are loaded pretty well the shifts do not feel hard in tow/haul. 2) Tow haul mode keeps the engine at higher RPM's throughout a deceleration making the exhaust brake more effective.

I pulled mine loaded (24000+ pounds) up and down Eisenhower Pass in Denver, only had to tap the brake pedal a few times on the down hill, the exhaust brake in tow haul is extremely effective.

BTW, it's been said before... LOVE that black mega dually.

 

[SBreaux]

Dr?

Does using the tow haul mode keep the transmission at D5 or D6 only? When using the shift padel I could make it read D1 through D6 in the dash panel. 'It would shift no higher than whatever Dx I selected. I am still unsure about proper use of the 68rfe auto. I don't want to hurt the trans or truck.



Thanks... . Steve

 

[SBreaux]

Dr?...tow haul switching or padel switching

Does using the tow haul mode keep the transmission at D5 or D6 only? When using the shift padel I could make it read D1 through D6 in the dash panel. 'It would shift no higher than whatever Dx I selected. I am still unsure about proper use of the 68rfe auto. I don't want to hurt the trans or truck.



Thanks... . Steve

 

[Rdunkin]

When using the paddle, whatever number you see on the display is the Highest gear it will shift automaticaly up and down to. Personaly I leave mine in D. except when in town and then use 5th. Leaving the exhaust brake on all the time also helps to keep the shaft clean. The nozzle slides back and forth on the shaft producing, Turbo Boost or Exhst. Brake. Exhst. brake will operate at any RPM below 175*f. water Temp. then when it will only operate at any RPM over 1100 when decelerating. While driving or on cruise it wont accuate while any throttle is being applied. It will only accuate with no throttle signal. As said before, Tow/Haul should only be used with a load. You can get in trouble with the downshifts on wet roads or gravel as the rear tires can "lock up" while downshifting.

These Temp. & RPM's apply to pick-up, C&C trucks are different.

 

[SBeretz]

Another, NICE TRUCK. . Scotty

 

[CUMMINZ]

One of the shifting patterns I use when towing is when I approach a hill that I know the transmission will downshift, I at the bottom of the hill I will go ahead and downshift to #5 while the engine is not in a hard pull. The shift is better for the transmission. I run maybe 2300rpms to close to the top of the hill and then shift to #6. If you wait till the computer shifts it the shift will be much harder. It does not hurt to run in tow/haul all the time. Although I run out of t/h on interstates.

 

[Drdorian]

Does using the tow haul mode keep the transmission at D5 or D6 only? When using the shift padel I could make it read D1 through D6 in the dash panel. 'It would shift no higher than whatever Dx I selected. I am still unsure about proper use of the 68rfe auto. I don't want to hurt the trans or truck.

Tow/haul will go all the way to 1 if you let it, sometimes when pulling off the freeway I simply put it in tow/haul (usually drive w/ the x brake on) and let that slow me down. I don't think this will hurt the trans, as quick hard shifts are a better for it than soft, slow shifts. When you are towing a relatively heavy trailer you will not notice the hard downshifts in tow/haul as your combined weight will help in absorbing a lot of this force.

 

[jaird]

Scotty, hope you have a nice birthday tomorrow.



Jesse



Semper Fi

 

[SBeretz]

Thanks, sure did. MC Birthday is one of my favorite days of the year... Scotty

 

[TKeeler]

Does using the tow haul mode keep the transmission at D5 or D6 only? When using the shift padel I could make it read D1 through D6 in the dash panel. 'It would shift no higher than whatever Dx I selected. I am still unsure about proper use of the 68rfe auto. I don't want to hurt the trans or truck.



Thanks... . Steve

No it feels like it only changes the 'automatic' shift points both up and down so the shifts are more abrupt creating less slippage in the transmission, it will still shift into D5 & D6. Using the Tow/Haul and EB makes for some serious braking... when towing in the mountains it makes for hardly ever touching the brake pedal. I usually have to touch the throttle occasionally to keep going fast enough.

 

[GShelton]

Well now I am a Dodge fan. I traded my '05 2500HD D/A GMC crew cab for an '07 Mega Cab 3500 dually 4x4. I have no complaints about my GMC, and the Dodge I am very happy with.



I can say, get the AU update. It made a big difference in performance and fuel mileage in my truck. I had the flash from 6/07, and updated just a week ago before going on vacation.



My question first is how should the new 6 speed be used. I cannot find any information on how to use the transmission so to speak. I will say how I have been using it.



I live in western oklahoma and took a trip to branson and eureka springs this past week so I got to really see how this truck performed.



I have always left my transmission indicator in the "D" position. I have used the tow haul switch but found that just using this empty would make a rough shift when slowing down. After I discovered that the + and - padel on the shift handle made a big difference in shifting when using it over the tow haul switch in the mountains. I always had the EB on, and now I really can tell the difference from flat land driving to mountain driving.



Using the padel on the shifter to go between "5" and "6" as indicated on the dashboard was best for me. I left the tow haul switch alone and just used the + and - shifter and the shifting performance was awesome. I just don't know if that is how I am suppose to use the shifter on the 68rfe transmission.



I am not by any means a diesel expert. I don't pull anything bigger than a 4 stall horse trailer, I do however like to take care of my equiptment, and I have not found any information on how to use the transmission. I would appreciate any input.

I recently completed a 6000 mile trip to Memphis TN towing 10K. Went up I 25 from Albuquerque into CO. Encountered some steep grades. Always kept E Brake on. I got the best performance leaving it in D and engaging Tow Haul on freeway on ramps. With cruize set at 65 MPH, Trans would downshift as necessary on both up hill and downhill stretches of road, always keeping speedometer right on 65. On one downhill it shifted down to 4th but kept the speed at or very near 65. Never had to use brakes to maintain safe speed on downhill except when traffic interfered. I found it necessary to disengage Tow Haul near the bottom of off ramps as the decelleration was severe enough to cause trailer brake controller to apply too much trailer braking at low vehicle speeds.

I don't see how they could improve on the 68RE/ Tow Haul/ E Brake combo.

George

 

[nitrox2595]

I just got my truck today... I love it!!!!! 07. 5 mega cab dually 4x4. Can you do the flash now? or do you need to wait for a problem?