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How Hard Is It On The Transmission To Downshift Often?

mljenkins

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mljenkins Enthusiast

mljenkins

Posted
Posted

We live out a bunch of backroads where the terrian is quite uneven. I have always downshifted on long descents. Lately, I have been doing it a lot more often to keep the wear off the brakes.

 

Is this ok for the drivetrain? Am I going to hurt the transmission? Just wanted to make sure I wasn't going to pay for my habbits later.

 

Truck is an '06 Silverado 5.3L 4.10 4x4 with automatic.

 

Thanks,

 

Matt

bryanhunt Enthusiast

bryanhunt

Posted
Posted

Downshifting an automatic manually? . If you're actually under power towing something up a hill downshifting won't hurt the transmission as long as the fluid temp stays low.

 

Edit: Okay I guess I said something wrong about the 4L60. It does have an overrun clutch and will engine brake when manually shifted into a lower gear.

Bogle45 Enthusiast

Bogle45

Posted
Posted

Forgive me if I am wrong, but Bryan, I thought down shifting slows the engine which in return slows the truck whether or not there is an "engine brake" or not.

bryanhunt Enthusiast

bryanhunt

Posted
Posted
Forgive me if I am wrong, but Bryan, I thought down shifting slows the engine which in return slows the truck whether or not there is an "engine brake" or not.

 

True... but a lot of automatics just freewheel instead if they don't have a way to lock up. I made the assumption that the 4l60 just freewheeled when in fact it has a clutch to lock up the transmission when you manually shift it lower.

mljenkins Enthusiast

mljenkins

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Yeah, it must have a clutch because it does slow it down and the engine RPMs get high, and if you shift into first and have too much speed it's a heck of a jerk (not that I've done that mind you).

C & A s Dad Senior Enthusiast

C & A s Dad

Posted
Posted

I am not sure about dowshifting as a means for braking, but constant shifting up and down while towing is the biggest contributor to heat build up in your fluid and of course, heat is the biggest killer of auto transmissions.

 

I would not think you would get a lot of extra heat build up from simply dropping a gear while decending a hill but I am not 100% of this.

thecraft Senior Enthusiast

thecraft

Posted
Posted

As long as you're not locking up the tires or otherwise abusing it, I think you'll be fine. If fact, I think my owner's manual mentions something about manually shifting to lower gear when going down steep hills.

 

I do it every once in awhile just to rap out the pipes... :cheers:

ctahoe Enthusiast

ctahoe

Posted
Posted

I do that in slushy, icy, and snowy roads. Already might have it in 4WD when approaching a hill, but before going down I will downshift to 3 or 2 to let the engine control the speed of the vehicle. Keeping it from freewheeling and keeping all 4 wheels in a slow, controlled movement forward. In such cases IMO having the engine and gear do their job is safer than random braking which can easily cause a wheel or wheels to skid.

 

As long as you're not locking up the tires or otherwise abusing it, I think you'll be fine. If fact, I think my owner's manual mentions something about manually shifting to lower gear when going down steep hills.

 

I do it every once in awhile just to rap out the pipes... :banghead:

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