shift manually or let the tranny do it?

mtofell · 07-02-2005, 01:17 AM

I see lots of posts here about the Titan shifting while towing or doing other funny tranny related stuff... I am curious.... how many of you just throw it in 'D' and let it do its thing? Personally, I don't even know how the auto shifts because I pretty much do it all manually, especially the 2-3-4 range.... Maybe I just drove 5spds for too many years.... I just think you get way more from the engine by shifting in manually... if I have a phone and/or lunch and/or map in hand I will let it do its thing but most times I am all over it... I have the console shift which is easier than the column I imagine... also it can take a lot of stress off your brakes by using the engine to slow the truck down....

mudfinder · 07-02-2005, 01:50 AM

they call it automatic for a reason. if it was meant for the way you're driving that thing, they would call it something like tiptronic. the only time i use it manually is when i'm downshifting so i can hear the exhuast roar.

miketan · 07-02-2005, 02:24 AM

Manually downshifting may take the stress off the brakes when slowing down. Think about this though. What's cheaper....new brake pads/rotors or a tranny rebuild? Manually shifting an automatic is okay if you do it occasionally. However, if you do it all the time, you're just asking for trouble down the road. Our trannies are pretty strong, but they're not heavy duty race built units with manual valve bodies.

Even with a manual transmission, it's usually not a good idea to always downshift all the time. That's a good way to wear out your syncros.

I've found that if I leave it in (3), the engine reaches the powerband quicker and stays in the rpm range that provides the most power. (4) is just an overdrive gear like (5) which is only good for high speed cruising and to keep the revs low to save on fuel.

*JayDee* · 07-02-2005, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miketan

I've found that if I leave it in (3), the engine reaches the powerband quicker and stays in the rpm range that provides the most power. (4) is just an overdrive gear like (5) which is only good for high speed cruising and to keep the revs low to save on fuel.

Fourth is 1:1, not an overdrive.

Armada · 07-02-2005, 10:06 AM

No clear answer. Each to his own.

Probably most circumstances, even on the dragstrip, letting it shift itself is best.

When coming down a steep grade, especially when towing, it is a clear advantage to use engine braking to help control speed. And when towing a very heavy load - say 8,000 lbs. or more, even the tow mode might shift out a little early, so having the ability to hold it manually a little longer in the lower gears is not a bad thing.

akangl · 07-02-2005, 10:31 AM

We leave it alone to do its thing unless we are towing and hit a steep grade. Then we watch the tranny temp gauge if it starts getting too high then its pulled down a gear and that's that. Other than those few times I figure the truck knows better than us.

mtofell · 07-02-2005, 12:22 PM

I would have to disagree with the stress on the tranny thing... One of the only times I actually heard my truck downshift was when my business partner was driving it... with the tranny in drive, he would punch it and the whole truck would shake for a split second while it found its gear (and no, there is nothing wrong with my truck, all AT seem to have a split second of hesitation when finding their gear)... when I downshift it, it's smooth and strong.... When I am driving I can see the road ahead and know what I am going to want for speed, rpm's etc. The tranny is at the mercy of your foot and is therefore, much more 'reactive.' As for the compression braking thing... I realize it could be hard on the tranny if done harshly... I have a couple of really long exit ramps with reallllllly long stop lights at the end of them.... so when I am coming off I often slowly go through to 4th and 3rd.... point is taken though. If I just rely on the brakes, I sometimes feel like I have a load on concrete that I am trying to stop with a hand brake from a 10spd bicycle...

mudfinder · 07-04-2005, 01:53 AM

it's your truck... you're paying for it.

mtofell · 07-04-2005, 10:33 AM

Quote:

it's your truck... you're paying for it.

That's right.... and I drive the sh#% out of it!!!!!!!!!!!! I figure I can treat it like hell for at least 30K and then trade it in and let someone else deal with it.....

gftitan04 · 07-04-2005, 03:40 PM

Must be nice not to worry about replacing a 30k truck after only 30k miles. Dude, when mine goes, can you by me a new one?

The AT is exactly that, an AT. Use it the way it's designed and you'll get a long life out of it. An occasional downshift to third is OK, I do that. Use it correctly and it will give you your monies worth.

**loufish** · 07-04-2005, 11:40 PM

It's a automatic tranny, designed to provide the most desirable gear at any moment, or need....Except for some of us who know better sometimes, like when I'm hitting a hill on the freeway and don't want the trans to unlock the converter, so I'll shift down to 4th first, or when I'm going down a sandy road, and keep it in 2nd so the engine will be in the fat part of the torque curve the second I need it.

I shift my trans any time my needs don't match the factory programing, and as long as I use my head, it won't put any extra "wear n tear" on it.

ptgarcia · 07-04-2005, 11:58 PM

I'll downshift manually while towing just after or as I approach a long, steep grade to keep from loosing momentum. The tranny will do it on its own but its usually a tad later than I would like.

mtofell · 07-05-2005, 01:16 AM

Quote:

I shift my trans any time my needs don't match the factory programing, and as long as I use my head, it won't put any extra "wear n tear" on it.

Quote:

I'll downshift manually while towing just after or as I approach a long, steep grade to keep from loosing momentum. The tranny will do it on its own but its usually a tad later than I would like.

You guys are right on the money... this was my whole point... the remark about beating up my truck was only a flip comment to the person who has nothing to add to the post, but seems to just troll around to stir up sh#$. I can promise you I treat my truck with the respect is deserves and plan on keeping it for many years.... It's a great tranny but sometimes I know better and just don't want to stomp the accelerator to the floor and listen to it clank through 3 gears only to end up in 3rd.... I'd rather save the wear and tear and just put it in 3rd right from the start. I was just wondering how many others knew how to drive their trucks to get the most out of them with the least abuse.....

04CCinBrLa · 07-05-2005, 04:47 AM

mtofell, you probably got some flack becasue you did state that most of your driving is manually. That is your truck and you can drive it the way you wish. I WAS surprized that you didn't get flamed for saying, Quote>if I have a phone and/or lunch and/or map in hand I will let it do its thing but most times I am all over it... <quote. If I had the console shift, I would definitely use the manual feature more often than I do now. back to your question, you will probably never get a straight answer simply because one guy/gal knows more than the next, but hey , you are making conversation. Have fun, drive fast...oops...like you want

Quad T · 07-05-2005, 09:56 AM

When my Titan finally shows up I plan to use the '5-speed manual-shift automatic transmission' and select the gear I want to be in - most of the time. This will be the 1st automatic I have owned since 1978 and the reason I'm getting the Titan is because of this tranny. I came to terms with the fact that in a 1/2-ton class of trucks I could get better towing capacity from an automatic tranny and because this thing was programmed to shift manually that is how I intend to use it.

From Nissan:
Getting that power to the ground is a new 5-speed manual-shift automatic transmission that will be offered with either a column shifter or gated floor-mounted shifter, depending on seating configuration.*