Driving in 3rd over D

[RyanbabZ71]

Ok i have been driving around the city in both 3rd and drive.  3rd seems to have a much nicer response.  

 

Also what i noticed is when braking and hitting the gas i have no clunking whatsoever.  If i am in drive i get some clunking like when stopping at a stop sign and hitting the gas.

 

Anyone else notice this?

 

Also driving around in 3rd wont hurt anything will it?

[siume99]

No problem.  Driving in 3rd only limits you from going into the overdrive gear.  Your engine is reving more to make up the difference of the OD gear.  OD gear will get you a bigger top end speed and better fuel economy.  Less revs = less fuel.

 

More revs leads to a quicker response (it doesn't get bogged down).  Coming out of corners and slow/go traffic make the engine/transmission "think" and if it's around a shift point, then there might be a delay.  I've played with the Tow/Haul mode too.  That lets you rev a little higher, but also increases your transmission line pressure (harder shifts, but easier on the torque converter).  Again this is at a fuel economy cost.

[DuckhunterInTN]

Ryan,

 Honestly, it may be better for the transmission to run it in 3rd.  Usually in stop and go traffic an OD transmission is always shifting into overdrive and then has to shift right back out when you slow down.  Overdrive is used to decrease engine RPMs resulting in increased gas mileage and decreased engine wear and tear.  In city driving, however, your speeds never get high enough or stay at those speeds long enough for OD to be beneficial.  In fact, like I said, the constant in and out shifting can cause extra wear and tear on the transmission.  So, for city driving I put mine in 3rd and use OD for the highway.

[gandolphxx]

Ryan,

 

One other benefit is that you get the engine to do some of the braking for you in traffic - I consider this an advantage over wearing the brakes all the time.

[siume99]

Ryan,

 

One other benefit is that you get the engine to do some of the braking for you in traffic - I consider this an advantage over wearing the brakes all the time.

Very good point!

[RyanbabZ71]

I also have the shift firmness on the HPIII set and this is a nice feature

[chevy4x4trucks]

I accidentally put my truck in 3rd for about a 20 miles.  It had a lot better throttle response and at freeway speeds it was flying.  After that I kept the truck in 3rd for all of my downtown driving, IMO it was a lot nicer not having to brake as much, and you had plenty of get up and go when you needed it.

[Big Boy]

I have been driving in Tow/Haul mode ofent recently after just trying it to see what it did.  MUCH prefer the performance that way.

[Snacky]

I tried driving in 3rd this morning in rush hour traffic, was definitly a difference.  Think I'll keep it that way for a bit.

[RyanbabZ71]

its alot more fun driving in 3rd.  Just gotta watch out so i dont get any speeding tix

[sincityZ71]

Been giving third a try that past couple of days and it is great.  Much better performance with all of the city driving I do.  

[akjay]

Not to jump on the bandwagon here, but I rarely hit highway speeds in my day to day driving as well.  

 

I tried it, and I'm not sure if it's a placebo effect but I agree!!!  Definately feels a bit better.  Thanks for clueing us newbie truck owners in on it!

 

Also, I started to notice that clunk when shifting from park to drive.  I have 2400 miles on my 2002 z71.  Sigh I was hoping I would get lucky...

[doverarjim]

Me to me to I tried it and I like it !!!!(some)  After getting out on to a 55 to 65 MPH road with no stops on it I noticed the higher RPMs so I just shifted to OD and it drops back about 500 RPMs.  I did get some funny looks from a 5.0 Mistake when he took off and I stayed beside him till he shifted down to out run a TRUCK!!!!

[HillHound]

This discussion makes me realize how much I miss a 5 speed manual.  My last truck (Dodge Ram 318 4x4) had one as did every other pickup I owned up til now.  I always enjoyed having more control over the engine speed for everything from driving in snow/offroad to towing.  On the other hand the auto is alot less stressfull in town/city driving.

 

That 318 and manual tranny is about the only thing I liked about my Dodge Ram!   :ehh:

[siume99]

Hey dover, have you ever let off your accelerator and then jam your foot back on it.  It's simulates a manual transmission changing a gear.  It's fun to mess with sports cars.