"manual" mode on the column shifter.

BlueCrayon · December 13, 2016

Sounds kind of silly, but do you have 4WD? If so, just put it in AUTO when in snow or ice and maintain a safe following distance from the vehicle in front of you. My truck seems to keep the transmission in the highest gear possible at any speed, no matter what setting I have the transmission on.

I find these trucks actually hold gears pretty well when you give it gas....I've had several other vehicles that downshift at the touch of the pedal. I like how I can have it all the way to the "false" floor and it just tourques through the gear it's in (unless you're really low rpms, it'll still downshift). Note that I have a 6.2L and I've been told they hold better than the 5.3 because of the extra torque.

Sean Neilan · December 13, 2016

Where I grew up it was very hilly and they didn't plow. Being in a higher gear than usual and limiting torque and wheel spin was very beneficial for going up hills. A downshift would often result in a loss of traction and wheel spin.

sdeeter19555 · December 13, 2016

Mine will manually hold 1st and 2nd, the rest just limits the top gear. I haven't found a single time that holding 2nd (or any higher gear) would have been beneficial, with the exception of grade braking which works pretty well by itself.

Keep in mind that holding a higher gear is going to create heat...the engine is lugging, the trans is lugging, and possibly the converter is unlocked to allow for the "clutch" action (I've never really paid attention to know if this occurs) which would generate a lot of heat due to fluid shearing.

Just some thoughts...

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MrNasty · December 13, 2016

My duramax holds any gear you set the button to.

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Jon A · December 14, 2016

Where I grew up it was very hilly and they didn't plow. Being in a higher gear than usual and limiting torque and wheel spin was very beneficial for going up hills. A downshift would often result in a loss of traction and wheel spin.

That's a good point. Going up a long, slick hill can become dangerous to the unsuspecting driver especially if using cruise control combined with 2WD. If a downshift is needed to maintain speed you will break the rear tires loose and could easily spin. With a manual you don't need to worry about it--just drive and if the vehicle needs more torque to maintain speed it'll slow down and it'll be up to you to downshift if you want.

With these trucks I recommend using Auto 4WD and not using cruise control up long hills on ice, snow or suspected black ice so you can immediately back off the throttle with your foot if a downshift occurs.

Sean Neilan · December 14, 2016

That's a good point. Going up a long, slick hill can become dangerous to the unsuspecting driver especially if using cruise control combined with 2WD. If a downshift is needed to maintain speed you will break the rear tires loose and could easily spin. With a manual you don't need to worry about it--just drive and if the vehicle needs more torque to maintain speed it'll slow down and it'll be up to you to downshift if you want.

With these trucks I recommend using Auto 4WD and not using cruise control up long hills on ice, snow or suspected black ice so you can immediately back off the throttle with your foot if a downshift occurs.

If it's that kind of weather I'm in 4HI now. But I grew up driving a 2wd manual S10 and those habits die hard.

Jon A · December 14, 2016

If it's solid ice or solid snow, I agree--4HI is actually better since there's zero lag time--as long as you're going in a straight line. 4 Hi is actually worse on ice when turning and if you only suspect there "might be" black ice, you'll bind things if there isn't.

redwngr · December 14, 2016

My duramax holds any gear you set the button to.

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So if you have it in M5 and stop at a stop sign it starts off in 5th??

Donstar · December 14, 2016

That's a good point. Going up a long, slick hill can become dangerous to the unsuspecting driver especially if using cruise control combined with 2WD. If a downshift is needed to maintain speed you will break the rear tires loose and could easily spin. With a manual you don't need to worry about it--just drive and if the vehicle needs more torque to maintain speed it'll slow down and it'll be up to you to downshift if you want.

With these trucks I recommend using Auto 4WD and not using cruise control up long hills on ice, snow or suspected black ice so you can immediately back off the throttle with your foot if a downshift occurs.

I think if someone finds him/herself driving up a long hill on ice with cruise control on, enrollment in a few refresher driving school sessions may be beneficial. This is not meant as a criticism. Understanding how your vehicle's systems work in various driving conditions is very helpful.

Silverado Steve · December 14, 2016

Yeah, Cruise Control is not supposed to be used on slippery or during adverse conditions.

Boardmember · December 14, 2016

ANSWER: (Of course take this as a friendly invitation, nothing other). OP I see you're from Green Bay. Move to Mississippi. Puzzle solved. And Brett lives in my town too...

Andy Seibel · December 14, 2016

ANSWER: (Of course take this as a friendly invitation, nothing other). OP I see you're from Green Bay. Move to Mississippi. Puzzle solved. And Brett lives in my town too...

I think you are confusing me with the OP. He never said where he's from. I have no problems driving in the snow. I rather enjoy it.

And please keep Brett in his house during football season. Everytime he comes back up here for a game, we play like $hit.

Coby7 · December 14, 2016

For those who have lost their manual.....

M (Manual Mode): This position is available on vehicles with the Allison Transmission® or Hydra-Matic® 6-Speed transmission. It lets drivers select the range of gears appropriate for current driving conditions. If the vehicle has this feature, see Range Select Mode (Allison Transmission® or Hydra-Matic® 6-Speed transmission) later in this section.

3 (Third): This position is also used for normal driving. It reduces vehicle speed more than D (Drive) without using the brakes. You might choose 3 (Third) instead of D (Drive) when driving on hilly, winding roads, when towing a trailer, so there is less shifting between gears and when going down a steep hill.

2 (Second): This position reduces vehicle speed even more than 3 (Third) without using the brakes. You can use 2 (Second) on hills. It can help control vehicle speed as you go down steep mountain roads, but then you would also want to use the brakes off and on. If you manually select 2 (Second) in an automatic transmission, the transmission will start in second gear. You can use this feature for reducing the speed of the rear wheels when you are trying to start the vehicle from a stop on slippery road surfaces.

1 (First): For the Hydra-Matic® 4-Speed transmission this position reduces vehicle speed even more than 2 (Second) without using the brakes. You can use it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the shift lever is put in 1 (First) while the vehicle is moving forward, the transmission does not shift into first gear until the vehicle is going slowly enough.

For an Allison Transmission® or Hydra-Matic® 6-Speed transmission, this position reduces vehicle speed without using the brakes. You can use it for major/severe downgrades and off-road driving where the vehicle would otherwise accelerate due to steepness of grade. When you shift to 1 (First) it provides the lowest gear appropriate to current road speed and continues to downshift as the vehicle slows, eventually downshifting to 1 (First) gear.

Notice: Spinning the tires or holding the vehicle in one place on a hill using only the accelerator pedal may damage the transmission. The repair will not be covered by the vehicle warranty. If you are stuck, do not spin the tires. When stopping on a hill, use the brakes to hold the vehicle in place.

Range Selection Mode (Allison® or Hydra-Matic® 6-Speed Transmission)

The vehicle may have a Range Selection Mode. The Range Selection Mode helps control the vehicle's transmission and vehicle speed while driving down hill or towing a trailer by letting you select a desired range of gears.

To use this feature, do the following:

Move the shift lever to M (Manual Mode).

Press the plus/minus buttons, located on the steering column shift lever, to select the desired range of gears for current driving conditions.

When M (Manual Mode) is selected a number displays next to the M, indicating the current gear.

This number is the highest gear that can be used. However, the vehicle can automatically shift to lower gears as it adjusts to driving conditions. This means that all gears below that number are available. When 5 (Fifth) is selected, 1 (First) through 5 (Fifth) gears are automatically shifted by the vehicle, but 6 (Sixth) cannot be used until the plus/minus button located on the steering column lever is used to change to the gear.

Grade Braking is not available when Range Selection Mode is active.

While using Range Selection Mode, cruise control and the Tow/Haul mode can be used.

Notice: Spinning the tires or holding the vehicle in one place on a hill using only the accelerator pedal may damage the transmission. The repair will not be covered by the vehicle warranty. If you are stuck, do not spin the tires. When stopping on a hill, use the brakes to hold the vehicle in place.