I have an auto transmission 5R110 in my 2003 6.0L.

I have a steep and long hill I drive down in the morning with a speed trap at the bottom.

Sometimes I move the gear selector from D to 3 towards the top of the hill to help in keeping the speed down and I drive down the hill in 3.

Is this bad? Should I not do this? Should I ride the brakes down the hill?

Pressing the tow/haul button doesn't feel right. It revs high and then shifts abruptly .... but it's an empty truck without any weight in the bed or behind so maybe that's why it feels that way ... because it was designed for working with weight(?).
I also have a manual 5 speed Explorer so why is this not like downshifting?

 

Its fine to shift from Drive to 3rd as long as your not going to fast

generaly when Im coming down a long hill I just put it in Tow/Haul it does a great job slowing the truck down
Tow/Haul maybe alittle safer to put it in especialy if your going fast

 

Not to fast at all ... never above 35mph as the whole town is a speed trap I swear the cops get a % of what they take!

 

I am a big fan of using the tow/haul button going to down hill. The tranny knows if you are under load and when it's safe to downshift. Great tranny!! Not sure if down shifting manually is really necessary unless you want the truck to shift down when you want it to shift down. "Is this bad? Should I not do this? Should I ride the brakes down the hill?" I don't think you can do much harm by downshifting.....use the tow/haul button to avoid burning up your brakes.

 

Either method is fine, except for the one that involves riding the brakes. That's never a good idea.

 

There is no speed that is too fast. If the truck is going to fast the computer won't let the trans downshift. You won't hurt it by manually shifting. If it would hurt it the shifter wouldn't have those positions.

 

OK thanks for the info

I have noticed that in other vehicles it wouldnt shift untill the vehicle slowwed
Didnt know the torq shift did that

I assume most vehicles have this type of safty

 

Thanks Mark ... that confirmation plus your signature wins me a 6 pack-o-beer

Reps and a beer to you!

 

Every automatic that I'm aware of does this.

I've shifted automatics to 1 at 80 MPH. It downshifts in steps as the vehicle slows.

Don't try this at home! I'm a professional.

 

It won't be at home, Mark...can't get the truck up to 80 there......

 

I been hitting the tow/haul mode button when i'm going down hills and from what I've read on hear is that let the tranny do the work. Also the truck sounds great also.

 

And saves your brake pads

 

Exactly why. I don't like hot brakes