Transmission shifting

[Ernst]

I have a 1995 Cummins Turbo with an automatic trans, and I'm not too sure about the overdrive button and when to take the engine out of overdrive, or when to put it into overdrive. I sometimes tow a fifth-wheel trailer and we have mountainous terrain surrounding our city, and I guess I shouldn't be in overdrive when towing uphill. But, when driving around town on the level terrain, I'm still not sure about the proper usage of the overdrive kill button. Can you more experienced guys out there help me to understand how this all works?

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[Bob H]

As a rule of thumb, I use 60 mph, with or without the trailer. If I'm on a highway where I can cruise at least 60 I use OD. Ohterwise let it scream. I have a 3:54 rear.
Wish there was some way to change the default setting on trans.

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2000 2500 long bed 2x4 auto 34' airstream

 

[Joe G.]

I use OD in my '95 unless it starts to "hunt". That is, shift in and out of OD a lot. Then I lock out the OD. As long as it's staying in OD with no trouble then it's fine.

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Joe George
Eureka, CA

'95 2500 CC auto 4X4,3. 54,Combo EGT/boost guage,custom switch panel,PacBrake,TST #5,BD valve body,Automatic motorhome steps on both sides,Foldacover hard bed cover,Cummins chrome kit,Black steel grill guard,Front hitch receiver

 

[Crazy Horse]

The only time I let it be in overdrive is on the flat running highway over 55 MPH. With the camper in or out. It keeps the exhaust temp. lower and saves a lot of wear and tear on the trans. If you driving stop n go,or pulling any kind of hill or load,pop it out of O. D.
P. S. It's good to see this topic added!!

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2K Dodge 3500,4x4,SLT,Quad Cab,PR4 Red,Auto Trans,354's,Posi,Trailer TowPack,3 Piece Auto Ventshade Hood Protector,"BEEFED" up Factory Camper Pack{No Airbags},Factory Fogs,Rear Slider,Rancho 9000's,Rhino Spray In Liner,Smitty Built Nerf Bars,Alpine 60x4 Watt CD Player,Lance Cabover Camper,BD Plug n Power,EGT Guage,And Enjoying The Ride.

2K Dodge 2500 SLT RC LB PB3 Blue
99 Dodge 1500 SLT/Sport RC SB Solor Yellow {Her Truck}

[This message has been edited by Crazy Horse (edited 12-13-2000). ]

 

[danandamy]

When pulling, I always shift my auto manually. I wrap her up to about 2200 in first and second. When I was stock, I'd leave it in third and wrap her up to about 2500 bumping on the governer then take O/D. The gears were just too tall for it in stock trim. Every little hill I hit the speedometer would plummet. Modified, it's not even the same truck. Now, I shift it into O/D about 60-62 mph, taking care to back out of the throttle as the transmission locks up the converter (remember you wouldn't jam a standard into gear and pop the clutch all without letting off the accelerator) and it takes off like a rocket #ad
After that it's not an issue because it never slows down enough to worry about having to downshift #ad


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95 2500 SLT Laramie 3. 54, automatic,Herculiner bed liner, JVC cd out of factory infinity system, southwest grill gaurd (a favorite amongst the deer population), K&N, AFC adjusted, dual straight exhaust out of "gutless" cat, Geno's dual EGT/boost gauge, TST #6 plate slid all the way forward, AFC housing slid all the way forward, silencer ring removed
"Layin' the 'SMOKEDOWN' on their ROOdy Poo CANDY GASSERS!"

 

[illflem]

I use mine the same as Joe,except I lock it out when driving in town even though it probibly isn't nessary.

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95' 25004X4,AT,Driftwood,Banks Stinger,Warn fender flairs and running boards(Play truck)95 3500,5 speed,Driftwood,Banks&Phscotty,34,000 GCVW apple and tractor hauler(work truck)

 

[PJ]

The Dodge overdrive seems to be much better than the one that was in my 97 Powerstroke. The Ford would shift up to 25 times on the last mile up my road home. My Dodge only up and down shifts about 4 or 5. The Ford could never figure out which gear it needed to be in. It was that way in all 4 trans that were installed in my truck during the first 25k miles. The only complaint I have with the Dodge trans is when Im climbing the hill home (2700') every day, Sometimes I need to kick it out to get it to down shift. When I do, it seems like Im in neutral for a few seconds. One of these days when I have a hour to kill, Im going to take a 2001 for a test up my hill and see if it performs the same as my 98 12v. So far, Im quite happy with the trans in the 98, but I am a little set back to hear that when I hit the 100k mark and start to do the mods to the injector pump, I may be looking at a trans rebuild to beef it up since its known to be a light weight. Until then, I have enjoied not having the constant search of a gear like I had in my Ford. As for the rest of the truck. . ie brakes, fuel sender, infinety system, DC needs a clue, but as for the cummins and the trans, Im much happier than with the Ford. I would just like to have the same up hill pulling power that my powerstroke gave me. That will come in time!
One last thing,, my Dodge gets a respectable 15 or so mpg around town, with 21 on the road at speeds under 70, where the powerstroke's best was 12 empty downhill with the wind pushing it! I have had some die hard Ford boys clame they are getting 25 to 30 all the time, but I know for a fact, that is a dream in their own minds! kinda like, of course I love you, the check is in the mail, and one of my favoites, Ill respect you in the morning! Im now off my soap box. . DC customer support still is the worst in my book and I see no change in that, tho all the big boys are the same after they get your money. . No customer support, but please come back and see us and buy another one! Laughing my A$$ off!! #ad
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98 Quad Cab 4X4 Cummins PAID WAY TOO MUCH$$$$$$$$ Automatic Totally loaded Minus fuel sender plus right brake pull, no extra charge! K&N filter, Line X spray on liner that chips everytime I haul something, WORTHLESS CHRYSLER 7/100,000 WARANTY, First name basis with Enterprise Rent a Car and my local AAA tow truck driver.

[This message has been edited by Phil Johnson (edited 12-13-2000). ]

 

[B.G. Smith]

Ernst, as stated above, punch it out when doing a lot of low speed or stop and go driving or if it is shifting in and out. I have found that on highway driving the transmission can handle the shifting much smoother than I when climbing grades or up shifting from stop, I just manipulate the accelerator pedal and let the transmission do the rest. Have 54000 miles now and most of it is towing 31' 5th wheel of about 12400#. bg

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White 99 3500, QC, 3:55, auto. most options except leather, Line-X bed liner, fiberglass running boards Rancho 9000s, bug shield and window vents, black vented 5th wheel tailgate, 100 gal. aux. fuel tank.