what gear should I be in?

Roadrunner · 11-04-2006, 07:17 PM

I've been driving my truck in 4th gear, should I keep it in overdrive? It feels a little stronger in 4th but i'm afraid it's not safe on the transmision. Any suggestions.

06 CC Pop Pack
Big Tow
Red

AgTitan06 · 11-04-2006, 07:22 PM

You should be driving your truck in DRIVE

jljue · 11-04-2006, 07:25 PM

It should be fine to drive in 4th; you are just driving around in slightly higher RPM's, that's all. After some experimenting, I learned that my '97 Mountaineer got better mileage in town in 3rd than in OD up to about 45 mph, so when I bought the chip for it, it had the shift point from 3rd to OD bumped up to 45 mph. This also helped reduced some wear and tear shifting between the two gears while driving around town. It really depends on what type of driving you are doing most of the time to determine whether or not keeping the transmission out of OD is better or not.

Smoke05 · 11-04-2006, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AgTitan06

You should be driving your truck in DRIVE

^^^ what he said

Any particular reason you are using 4th and not drive?

**HudsonValleyTitan** · 11-04-2006, 08:48 PM

Unless you're towing a heavy load, leave it in "D".

docopharm · 11-05-2006, 12:53 AM

Around town, I don't see where it matters much. I drive in 4th most of the time in town and "D" on the interstate.

**Kronos1965** · 11-05-2006, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by docopharm

Around town, I don't see where it matters much. I drive in 4th most of the time in town and "D" on the interstate.

It has more to do with the RPM's you're running and your gearing to get you there...

Our trucks are designed to make the most horsepower below 2000 rpms so until you have a need to use 2000 to 2500 rpms, 4 should be fine.

**loufish** · 11-05-2006, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Our trucks are designed to make the most horsepower below 2000 rpms

You might want to re-read that...Both best HP and Torque are above 2000 rpm.

I drive around town in 4th, there is no need for the trans to try and shift to 5th then downshift again so often as it does in the city. As soon as I hit the freeway/highway I shift to 5th, unless I'm towing.

sudden urge · 11-05-2006, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loufish

You might want to re-read that...Both best HP and Torque are above 2000 rpm.

I drive around town in 4th, there is no need for the trans to try and shift to 5th then downshift again so often as it does in the city. As soon as I hit the freeway/highway I shift to 5th, unless I'm towing.

I do exactly the same thing.

phugoid · 11-05-2006, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loufish

You might want to re-read that...Both best HP and Torque are above 2000 rpm.

I drive around town in 4th, there is no need for the trans to try and shift to 5th then downshift again so often as it does in the city. As soon as I hit the freeway/highway I shift to 5th, unless I'm towing.

ack....now im confused.
i was used to a stick for years. when i got my Titan i drove in 4th (unknowingly)for about a week. then i checked my manual, and it said 4th should be for hills, grades, etc. so since then ive been using D on city and highway.

please help this automatic newbie here.... THX.

AgTitan06 · 11-05-2006, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phugoid

ack....now im confused.
i was used to a stick for years. when i got my Titan i drove in 4th (unknowingly)for about a week. then i checked my manual, and it said 4th should be for hills, grades, etc. so since then ive been using D on city and highway.

please help this automatic newbie here.... THX.

I'm an automatic noob too...My past two vehicles were both sticks...I usually drive in D all the time, but I'm starting to reconsider for city driving.

**loufish** · 11-05-2006, 05:41 PM

This is the deal...When driving around town with light throttle, the truck will try to shift to 5th around 45-50 mph, so unless you're downtown you can hit those speedshere and there, but you won't be staying there too long, so why have the trans trying to just get into 5th only to have to shift back again as you go below 40 mph or so?

Give the tranny a break, don't let it try to shift to 5th around town, it will be happier if you leave it in 4th.

mtofell · 11-05-2006, 07:11 PM

For what it's worth, I think it goes into 5th a lot sooner than 40-50.... Mine feels like it will end up in 5th at 25 if your just trolling down a slight grade at light throttle... You can tell by shifting to 4th and feeling a shift.

I'm in the 4th around town and 5th for the interstate.... I don't think either one is going to make or break anything. I don't like the way the tranny downshifts for me sometimes when in D, and I just don't like the feel of the truck running at ultra-low rpms....

Smoke05 · 11-05-2006, 07:38 PM

Using 4th will allow engine braking and reduce coasting. I have never noticed my truck hunting for gears during city driving or repeatedly shifting between 4th and 5th. Also driving in D allows the truck to lug along at lower rpms under 2000 giving better mileage. It is an automatic. It will select the best gear for the situation during normal driving and always try to get to the highest gear it can. The only time I will select a gear is towing my travel trailer up a steep or long grade. I will put it in third because the transmission will keep trying to get the truck back into 4th resulting in what feels like excessive shifting.

Roadrunner · 11-05-2006, 07:40 PM

Ok, thanks guys.