How often do you shift your Torqueflite out of "D"?

[EurekaSevven]

I had this question in my head for a while now, as when I bought my Newport, it came with the original owner's manual. One of the pages in it was describing when to shift the TorqueFlite when in different situations, such as using "2" when going down curvy country roads that require more controls, and using "1" for steep hills going up and down hill.

Do you guys actually use this method, or do you keep it in Drive the entire trip?

 

[Wildbunch02]

That applies to all vehicles, it all depends on what the driving conditions call for. Under normal driving conditions it stays in drive.

 

[71Polara383]

All the time.

 

[live4theking]

I frequently downshift everything I drive when going down steep hills. If I'm hauling a load I'll downshift going uphill as well at times.

 

[WissaMan]

I manually downshift when approaching long down grades. I also downshift manually if I know I'm going to need some speed, since it doesn't have part throttle downshifting. When possible, I shift when there's not a lot of load on the drive line. i.e. I anticipate the situation and downshift rather than wait until I'm already flying down hill or got the pedal (almost) to the metal. I figure it's easier on the transmission that way and will help it live longer.

I do this with all my AT vehicles, not just the old Chryslers...

 

[EurekaSevven]

I manually downshift when approaching long down grades. I also downshift manually if I know I'm going to need some speed, since it doesn't have part throttle downshifting. When possible, I shift when there's not a lot of load on the drive line. i.e. I anticipate the situation and downshift rather than wait until I'm already flying down hill or got the pedal (almost) to the metal. I figure it's easier on the transmission that way and will help it live longer.

I've often heard and seen truckers doing the same thing when approaching a downgrade, one video in particular I remember was something to the effect of shifting a gear below the "proper" gear for the speed limit (such as in a 10 speed using 10th gear to go 55), and using your Jake Brake to keep your low speed. As with trucks, they use air brakes, and using them too much will light you on fire.
Probably a wise thing to do also for a TF and if you have drum brakes (such as mine), and I live in a more mountainous area, although I haven't really taken my Newport out onto the steeper grades, not until I get the brakes in tip top shape anyways (mine still work currently, but I don't know if they've ever been replaced, and my master cylinder needs a replace for safety).

 

[commando1]

It's an automatic FFS...

 

[NY69]

Within city limits (35 mph speed limit) I drive my a/t cars in 2.
Less shifting = less wear, more comfort and better fuel mileage.

 

[azblackhemi]

I shift out of D when I go backwards and when I park!

 

[3C's & a D?]

Absolutely necessary when going through a tunnel!

 

[WissaMan]

Absolutely necessary when going through a tunnel!

What's absolutely necessary for me when going through a tunnel is: windows open, downshift, floor it

just love that sound

 

[Zymurgy]

I have a center console so I just naturally reach to downshift if a curve requires to slow to a speed of 35 or less, just to get more power out of the curve. Otherwise coming out of the curve it will just stay in 3rd unless you punch it.

 

[luigi164]

Only downhill to 2nd or first, otherwise always in D....So here in the Netherlands just in D but when in Germany at the BBTR . .

 

[mrfury68]

There are a lot of steep hills here in southwestern Pennsylvania so down shifting when going down hills always made sense so I wouldn't overheat the brakes.

 

[Turboomni]

I have a center console so I just naturally reach to downshift if a curve requires to slow to a speed of 35 or less, just to get more power out of the curve. Otherwise coming out of the curve it will just stay in 3rd unless pitch it.

My 69 doesn't have part throttle down shift so sometimes I do it manually when cruising at 35 or so at the base of a long hill to accelerate up it. Not that I really need to with a 440 but it must be abit easier on the trans.

 

[bronze turbine]

2.5 tons downhill + drum brakes = 2. If you leave it in D bye bye brakes.
2 going up hill if it starts pinging.

 

[300rag]

The rule I learned was go down the hill in the same gear you would go up it. The new vehicles downshift for you now if you have the cruise set and it coasts to over 5 mph above your set speed.

 

[GregG48203]

The only automatic I would ever occasionally manually shift was my 1988 Diplomat. If I wanted to accelerate quicker, I would briefly hold the car in "2" before upshifting. In order to meet CAFE requirements through the 1980s, automatics were programmed to shift early. This was less of an issue as fuel injection became more ubiquitous.

 

[mr. fix it]

I had this question in my head for a while now, as when I bought my Newport, it came with the original owner's manual. One of the pages in it was describing when to shift the TorqueFlite when in different situations, such as using "2" when going down curvy country roads that require more controls, and using "1" for steep hills going up and down hill.

Do you guys actually use this method, or do you keep it in Drive the entire trip?

Yes
I use 2nd to try to maintain a safe steeper down hill speed

 

[Minneapolis Bill]

Lived in San Francisco for 20 years, downshifted on hills all the time. Keeps you from burning up the brakes.