Mountain Driving

Hey I got a question, being that I am from Michigan and the land is flat and I never had to change gears other the 4 if I was towing something.

How should I shift when going through the mountains. I dont want to ride my brake all the time. I know I can down shift to help control my speed. But I dont really know how. Meaning at what speeds is it ok to shift into lower gears without screwing up my transmission.

Thanks

 

Ok I get that.. What about going 60 or so from D to 4 is that a bad thing to do. Should you always drive in 4 when going through the mountains? (Aside from downshifting)

 

I wouldn't be afraid at all to use 4 or 3 on the auto going downhill. Not that I'd leave it in that gear all the time, any time you don't need the engine braking you'd be wasting fuel.

The truck will do darn near 70 in 2nd gear. You will not hurt it descending a hill in 3rd or 4th, although that would have to be a steep one (or a slow speed) to need 3rd.

Biggest possible issue, snow. Careful engine braking on the slick stuff, it can cause problems, though not as much as a front wheel drive.

edit: as for screwing up your transmission, don't shift to 1st. It likely has a speed lockout (almost all vehicles do) to prevent damage anyways.

 

X2
as long as you dont drop it into 1st at 50 you should be fine. just do what feels right

 

just watch your revs if you're going to use engine braking and you'll be fine.

Take it from a guy that lives on the largest volcano in the world.

 

Do not get in a hurry, take your time. Especially on the downhill, with an automatic your going to use your brakes more then a manual. You can get in trouble real fast on the downhill with a trailer pushing you from the behind.