Merv?

[siume99]

I was thinking about doing an acceleration comparison with the tow/haul shift pattern and just regular shifting.  Did Merv do a test on this?  If not, who did?  I was at this web page http://home.midsouth.rr.com/dmtucker/

and his shift controller caught my eye.  I thought increasing the line pressure would be better on my clutch and it couldn't hurt the acceleration  However, I began looking around and thinking about TOO much line pressure and heat, and the sudden torque on the "propeller" and other parts.  Perhaps the tow/haul mode on my truck is just in disguise.  I don't like the idea of delaying the shift all the time, I'm also trying to be economical about it.  

[chevy4x4trucks]

Things I've found on web pages about the tow/haul mode:

11. Current full-size Chevy/GMC trucks have a tow/haul mode for the transmission. How does it work and why don't other half- and three-quarter-ton pickups have this feature?

The tow/haul mode found in the current-generation Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups delays upshifts for more effective towing and hauling. The higher upshift speeds and firmer gear changes are due to an increase in line pressure. While other pickups don't have this specific feature controlled by a button on the end of the shifter, we took a look in a 2000 Ford F-150 owner's manual and discovered a similar type of function. Although there isn't a specific control for it, Ford's "adaptive learning strategy" means the transmission "knows" you're carrying a load or towing a trailer and adjusts the transmission's shifting schedule accordingly.

And I know that I saw something on Chevy's page about a second gear start, however they seem to have changed the whole format of the page so now I can't find it.

[siume99]

Thanks Chevy.  My dad's '95 Dodge Ram has that "learning" transmission.  It's irritating though.  It takes around 5 accelerations for it to learn.  Problem is, it also learns different driver's acceleration characteristics.  My dad and I can tell when the other has been driving it.  It doesn't shift when you expect it to.  Then, no matter who is driving, shifting into 3rd in the city requires you to back off on the accelerator and let it shift.  Otherwise you'd be going a bit too fast.

[Zane]

We haven't done anything to this effect yet. Yet....

Next HD truck we can steal i'll add that to the testing list....

[siume99]

I'm thinking of doing some tests this weekend in my Tahoe. Do you have any suggestions on number of runs, or things to look out for (besides the corn fields and other cars, telephone poles and the like)   I was thinking of timing between telephone poles.  Or do you think 0-60 would be better?  I'd probably do this alone.