Down the hill fast !!
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New User
Joined: Aug 2004
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Down the hill fast !!
Hey Gang,
Just got my new 2004 f-150 S/C with 5.4. When I go down grades on cruise, the unit seems to free-wheel & I end up bringing it back to speed with the brakes.
Most automatics seem to hold the speed going down hill, not his one! Is this
just the " nature of the beast "? I really like this truck!
Thanks!
Just got my new 2004 f-150 S/C with 5.4. When I go down grades on cruise, the unit seems to free-wheel & I end up bringing it back to speed with the brakes.
Most automatics seem to hold the speed going down hill, not his one! Is this
just the " nature of the beast "? I really like this truck!
Thanks!
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 511
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From: South Jersey
They eliminated that drag feature in Transmissions when they went to overdrives. It's a fuel ecomony thing. My 88 Bronco with the 351 and 3 speed C6 feels like the brakes are on when you take your foot off the gas compared to the new truck.
You guy's doing all the maunal shifting... Brakes are lots cheaper than transmissions. Taking it out of overdrive is about all I would be doing on continual basis..
You guy's doing all the maunal shifting... Brakes are lots cheaper than transmissions. Taking it out of overdrive is about all I would be doing on continual basis..
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More Turbo
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Rodeo, Ca.
Probably unlocks the converter, the Mark VIII we had did that, it would also fly downhills,(but got good gas mileage), my '01 F250 keeps the converter locked, doesn't run away quite as bad.
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
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The owners manual states, to use engine braking on steep grades to maintain control of your truck. It is harder to steer when you are applying the brakes. I have always used engine braking on all my vehicles and have yet to have a problem with the tranny or engine. If you like changing brakes and rotors by all means keep riding the brakes. You will ruin the rotors too, and they aren't cheap! 
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 336
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From: San Diego
Never had a transmission go bad. Saved money on brakes compared to my daughter. She can wear out brakes/rotors every three months on her Jeep. I usually need new brakes pads every 1 year and 1/2. The tranny is tough. If I can tow 9700 lbs, I can certain use my transmission to slow my vehical.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Sweet Home Alabama
Braking down hill is not bad on brakes as long as it is not constant. Constant brake usage downhill will lead to brake overheating, increased brake pad consumption and rotor warping. If you hit the brakes firmly periodically to allow a little time to cool, your brakes will be fine. The ones that hold slight pressure all the way down a hill are the ones that end up on the run away truck ramps. The transmission will do a great job as well as long as the RPMs are not near the red (over revving is bad, oommmKay?) If you travel through the hills of SD or the smokeys, leaving it out of OD is not enough and brake usage is almost required, especially in larger trucks. My S2000 handled the curves a little better than the lifted X!!! Both will wear out in time, as there are not an infinite number of shifts per tranny nor are there an infinite number of stops per brake/rotor set. Replacing brakes/rotors is cheaper and easier(DIY) than tranny replacement/rebuild. Using a combo of both is probably the best idea.
Adam
Adam
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 615
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From: Chesterfield, Mi
FYI-don't put your truck in neutral when coasting down hill, etc. to try and "save gas"...especially if towing or driving through hills. If it is not in gear the trans oil will not circulate through the cooler. Everyone probably knows that but I have run into several people in the recent past who didn't, thought I would throw it out there.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 922
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From: san diego
wow didnt know that lardman, i did this before in my old car soapbox derby style to see how much speed i can catch before i reach my house, probably not a long enough street to do any damage though. (actually never even thought about the whole coolant thing.)
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: central TX
Also most modern EFI engines shut down the fuel completely when going downhill off-throttle. If you were to put it in neutral you would be using fuel to keep it revving. Not a big diff. either way, but in gear is the way to go (unless maybe your building up speed for the next hill 
)
)