Down Shifting ?

[clippedwings]

What's the best way to down shift the 8 speed automatic? This will be my first truck with an auto. I have a Laramie on order. I currently have a RAM 3500 with a manual and e brake so down shifting is used all the time.

 

[Goatmann]

automatics down shift, and up shift automatically. there is no engine brake that i know of on the 5.7 hemi with the Laramie trim.

 

[d_THRILL]

you can use gear limit controls on steering wheel

 

[19llhpb]

Does anyone feel the engine braking/ downshifting on the E-torque seems more aggressive than the regular Hemi? This is my first half ton Hemi. I have driven other older regular Hemi’s but don’t have a lot of experience with them. Seems to me the regenerative braking of the E-torque is quite noticeable. A friend of mine who has a ‘15 Hemi noticed the braking in mine immediately the few times he has driven it. Any more experienced thoughts?

 

[dutchman187]

Does anyone feel the engine braking/ downshifting on the E-torque seems more aggressive than the regular Hemi? This is my first half ton Hemi. I have driven other older regular Hemi’s but don’t have a lot of experience with them. Seems to me the regenerative braking of the E-torque is quite noticeable. A friend of mine who has a ‘15 Hemi noticed the braking in mine immediately the few times he has driven it. Any more experienced thoughts?

This was my experience test driving, and why I chose regular Hemi instead of eTorque. People on here say you get used to it apparently. I just didn't like it at all.

 

[19llhpb]

This was my experience test driving, and why I chose regular Hemi instead of eTorque. People on here say you get used to it apparently. I just didn't like it at all.

Yes, I could see not liking it if your not use to it. Myself, I like the aggressive braking. I was use to driving a 3500 diesel in which I always had the engine brake on so I guess I was use to it!

 

[dutchman187]

Yes, I could see not liking it if your not use to it. Myself, I like the aggressive braking. I was use to driving a 3500 diesel in which I always had the engine brake on so I guess I was use to it!

Yep, seems to be a common thought from people with experience like that. All in what you are used to. This is my first real truck, so I've never had that feeling before.

 

[LaRamie]

The eight speed seems to be much more sensitive than the older automatics. Used to be if you were hauling anything they were never in the gear they needed to be. I have yet to tow with ours but already impressed with the response on some steep inclines, much faster reaction to whether it needs to downshift and does very well coming down hill. I think you'll be happy with it.

 

[clippedwings]

I am hoping to get some compression braking from the Hemi. This will help when towing. I know it won't be as good as the e brake on the diesel.

 

[Agitated]

In tow/haul mode it will downshift and give you compression braking. Not what a large displacement diesel with really high compression will give you though. You cant compare a small displacement gasser with low compression to that and expect the same thing. You dont need compression braking for normal unloaded driving anyway. The gas engine has a throttle body which stops most airflow when closed anyway, so it’s all pretty much up to torque converter lockup at that point.

 

[Yedi]

The eight speed seems to be much more sensitive than the older automatics. Used to be if you were hauling anything they were never in the gear they needed to be. I have yet to tow with ours but already impressed with the response on some steep inclines, much faster reaction to whether it needs to downshift and does very well coming down hill. I think you'll be happy with it.

Very happy with the ETorque Braking, why wouldn't you want engine/regenerative braking? Im used to driving a stick, and always downshifted for engine braking, saves on the brakes. I actually had to make a point to use the brakes to get them to "seat" in being new, otherwise you'll find its only very light braking needed, and those babies really bite when you step on them.

Its a very solid feeling. I also noticed the downshifting while deccelerating, very impressed with it. Havent been this excited for a vehicle in a long time, really enjoy driving it

 

[19llhpb]

Very happy with the ETorque Braking, why wouldn't you want engine/regenerative braking? Im used to driving a stick, and always downshifted for engine braking, saves on the brakes. I actually had to make a point to use the brakes to get them to "seat" in being new, otherwise you'll find its only very light braking needed, and those babies really bite when you step on them.

Its a very solid feeling. I also noticed the downshifting while deccelerating, very impressed with it. Havent been this excited for a vehicle in a long time, really enjoy driving it

Agree, my diesel only had just over 50,000 miles on it when I traded but still had the original brake pads and they still looked new. Even with that heavy of a truck and occasional towing. Used the engine brake 100% of the time.

 

[ExcursionDiesel]

In tow/haul mode it will downshift and give you compression braking. Not what a large displacement diesel with really high compression will give you though. You cant compare a small displacement gasser with low compression to that and expect the same thing. You dont need compression braking for normal unloaded driving anyway. The gas engine has a throttle body which stops most airflow when closed anyway, so it’s all pretty much up to torque converter lockup at that point.

Diesels have poor engine braking contrary to what some might think. Gassers have a throttle plate that creates an airflow restriction. Diesels do not. The poster above was referring to an exhaust brake which isn't offered on most diesels. Big trucks have Jake Brakes which close valves to improve engine braking (and make a lot of noise). A diesel without external exhaust or Jake braking will easily over rev going downhill.

 

[devildodge]

The Ram HD with Cummins has had the exhaust brake standard for some time.

The only thing I miss about mine.

Going down hill, you tap your brakes at set speed...say 45 mph and it wont go over it.

It is an amazing asset.

And it was great for warming the truck up.

And it sounds cool

 

[19llhpb]

The Ram HD with Cummins has had the exhaust brake standard for some time.

The only thing I miss about mine.

Going down hill, you tap your brakes at set speed...say 45 mph and it wont go over it.

It is an amazing asset.

And it was great for warming the truck up.

And it sounds cool

Does sound good. Had a 5” turbo back exhaust with 8” tip on my 6.7l, with engine brake on and high idle it whistled louder than a straight piped 6.0 power stroke. Kinda miss that sound! She was a beast!

 

[clippedwings]

My 3500 that I am trading in has 160k on the original brake pads and was used to haul a 34 camper cross country. Combination weight 19 to 20k. Camper is gone now, so biggest trailer will be about 6k loaded. I will miss the manual trans and appreciate the info you guys are providing the auto.

 

[devildodge]

The new auto issuitable, you will only miss the clutch and the pull.

The new automatic works so well in tow/haul mode. The auto in our 03 makes towing sick compared to the stick shift in my 99. But the 13 auto was a towing dream. Worked just how I make the V10 pull.

You will be impressed with it