downshifting technique

when driving in 5th gear and im about to go up a hill I like to switch my automatic into 4th by sliding the shifter from D to 4. My question is when I do this am I supposed to completely let off the accelerator then switch to 4? or just keep my foot on the accelerator and switch to 4 while im still pushing the accelerator (gas)? I want to know what is the proper way to do it that puts the least strain on the transmission.

You can give me your opinion but it would be nice to hear it from an expert (such as a dealer mechanic)


thanks in advance

 

I'm no expert but just keep your foot on the gas. It's an automatic. It'll be just fine.

 

just leave it in D. if you want to shift buy a stick.

 

The computer controls both the engine and transmission. It does not matter. Even if it did matter, there is a lot more stress on the transmission when you floor it to pass someone and it downshifts than there is when you bump it into a lower gear during light acceleration or steady cruise.

If you're driving in a situation where the transmission is frequently shifting back and forth from 5th to lower gears, then stick it in 4 and leave it there until you get out of those conditions.

 

DITO...

 

^^actually toyota RECOMMENDS downshifting in the automatics for certain things.

I know for sure they recommend downshifting going down large hills to have less strain on the brakes.

not sure about the answer to thread starters question.

 

^^ What they said ^^

 

Have to agree

 

I only downshift when going down a steep hill, otherwise leave it in D.

 

This thread=EPIC FAIL!

 

x2

 

your life= epic failure.

thanks for the answers everyone else. I have to go up steep hills a lot (like my driveway) and if I leave it in D my truck does not have the power to climb them. I dont like having to shove the pedal down to downshift so I move the lever. I dont know the proper way because I"ve only driven manuals my whole life, I'm sick of shifting/clutching thats why I got an auto.

 

that was kind of rude

 

When traveling in mountians and grades at slower speeds I will use 4 to keep the trans from shifting up and down all the time trying to adjust for the conditions.
When everything levels out a bit or is a steady speed I flip it back over.
I don't think the trans cares where the throttle is when you do it.

I also run the shifter through all the options every once in a while just cuz.

 

And because when it does down shift to first it feels like it's going to put you through the fucking windshield.

 

Do you take your foot off the pedal when the tranny upshifts while accelerating?

Just throw it over there into 4 if you want to but it's probably not necessary. The transmission will downshift if it needs to.

There are advantages to having manual control of gear selection even in an automatic transmission - offroad driving, using engine braking to control speed on long, steep descents, preventing the tranny from hunting while towing, engine braking in bad weather conditions (snow/ice) where you don't have brakes to speak of...it has its uses, but for normal driving, just shift to D and go.

 

Yeaaah sometimes i just start off in 2 (its an automatic anyways ) and just shift up as i start driving...


But i worry if i do it too much it may damage the transmission! And also the only time i ever shift out of D to 4 is if some person is for passing, my mentality is anyways the transmission will shift down when you put your foot down so whats wrong with doing it myself? lol

 

If your truck isn't downshifting when you encounter a hill and press the gas pedal normally, then there is something wrong with the transmission or computer.