To shift or not to shift...

thad5515 · 01-27-2009, 08:28 AM

that is the question!?!

I have read different posts that go in both directions, give me your input.

Does anyone downshift manually when they want to slow or when coming to a stop?

Good, bad or indifferent for the tranny?

NBhunter80 · 01-27-2009, 08:29 AM

No. Brakes are cheaper than trannies....at least that's the way I look at it.

honeykeeper · 01-27-2009, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thad5515

that is the question!?!

I have read different posts that go in both directions, give me your input.

Does anyone downshift manually when they want to slow or when coming to a stop?

Good, bad or indifferent for the tranny?

I always downshift......I live in the mountains and used to wear out brakes every 12K.....now they last 70K.

The only time I don't downshift is from 3rd to 2nd gear at 22-24 MPH......that causes a "drivetrain shutter" the feels like something is going to explode.

72K and no transmission problems.

The Titan manual does say it's ok to downshift or "engine-brake".

NBhunter80 · 01-27-2009, 08:40 AM

Quote:

The Titan manual does say it's ok to downshift or "engine-brake".

I engine brake on hilly roads and when towing...just not at every stop light or each time I slow down. I thought he was referring to doing it all the time when decellerating.

sumair · 01-27-2009, 08:43 AM

i normally don't..only time i have really done is when racing from a roll...so i start out in the gear i want rather then stomping it and getting that delay..

*adamdude04* · 01-27-2009, 10:15 AM

I downshift all the time..but again I live in the Rocky Mountains area. When around home (city, Denver) I don't. City driving I keep it out of OD unless I'm doing 55 or higher. In the mountains, I manual shift all the time. Going up hill I bump it down a gear to maintain speed (usually 3rd gear doing 65) and downhill I downshift to engine brake. Especially past the tunnel going into silverthorn (you CO peeps know what I'm talking about..that hill is a BIOTCH!)

Misfit · 01-27-2009, 10:21 AM

I downshift all the time; I'm at 86k and no issues yet.

HudsonValleyTitan · 01-27-2009, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thad5515

that is the question!?!

I have read different posts that go in both directions, give me your input.

Does anyone downshift manually when they want to slow or when coming to a stop?

Good, bad or indifferent for the tranny?

You downshift every time you come to a stop? um...why? Isn't that what the brakes are for? Dropping a gear on long hills is one thing.

**Carbeaux** · 01-27-2009, 11:35 AM

Brakes for me. Even towing, I usually, and for the most part, let the transmission do it's thing. It's pretty good at it as far as I can tell.

*adamdude04* · 01-27-2009, 11:59 AM

I have to say though.. I have the center console shifter..if I had the standard shifter I probably would just use the brakes all the time. Anyone else feel the same way, or if you have the standard shifter do you downshift on long hills?

**bagellord** · 01-27-2009, 12:06 PM

Usually the tranny downshifts on its own when you brake on hills at such. It scared the crap out of me the first time I noticed it on a steep hill. Very effective though. I had to slam on the brakes the other day because a dog went out into the road while I was towing, and dropped a few gears so I didn't kill the damn thing. Stupid bleeping dog.

thad5515 · 01-28-2009, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HudsonValleyTitan

You downshift every time you come to a stop? um...why? Isn't that what the brakes are for? Dropping a gear on long hills is one thing.

No, I don't do it all the time, but where I live in southwest PA it's pretty "hilly". On long downgrades I do. Driving stop light to stop light or coming up to stop signs, unless on a hill, I don't.

Thanks to all for the input.

**Blackbeauty** · 01-28-2009, 07:21 AM

Standard op is coast... then brakes. In snow or inclement weather, I use the tranny to downshift so as not to lose traction. Any other time is really not necessary, IMO.....

miketan · 01-28-2009, 07:30 AM

Kinda makes you wish the Titan had a 6sp manual trans as an option...huh???

bbclclubr · 01-28-2009, 09:16 PM

I agree with bagellord. I frequently drive a long 10-12% grade. The Titan tranny senses the torque and when brakes are applied it downshifts automatically. It will even coast in the lower gear til I step on the gas. So awesome! My 4Runner didn't do that and I warped the rotors. My Yukon didn't do it and was at least $10K more. Love this truck. In snow and ice, I do start out in the lower gear.