ok, got my truck tonight, it was cold, in the teens, started her up, let the fast initial idle slow down to the 730 or so rpm, put it in gear, drove away easily, not hard on it, went one block, then down a big hill, 55 mph, not into 5th, had to goose it, mess with it to get it to go into 5th, it finally went, seems since I am going downhill at 55, should be no problem go right into 5th, since there was no real need for more torque going down the hill at speed, are these needed to get warm to go into 5th? Usually I wait 3 to 5 minutes when it's that cold. Is this normal? And any plans of them putting a 6 speed manual in these, if that is the case, for 08 or 09??
6-Speeder
01-19-2008, 10:32 PM
......
cramerica
01-20-2008, 03:49 PM
Yea restate your question in full English sentences and we'll be happy to help.
If the clutch is all the way in, and you take your time to find the gate, then any upshift or downshift to 5th should be no problem. I've ground the synchros once or twice trying to really rip it on a 4-5 upshift, but that was my fault. It's a big clunky truck gearbox, and you're best off taking your time. In normal driving, I find that the gearbox is actually smoothest, and engages most willingly above 3rd gear, once you get away from the big ratio jumps of 1-2 and 2-3.
And take some writing classes.
it's all dodge
01-20-2008, 09:30 PM
OK, my mistake, I did not specify I was talking about a multispeed 5 speed 545 rfe automatic. (I thought that showed at the bottom of the post?) I was going down a hill, at 55 mph, I was not in the throttle much, but it is still like up in the low 2000 rpm range. (not 5th gear) Like I say, it was maybe 15 or so degrees F and the truck had only been running for a little over a minute. I tried to get it into 5th gear by hitting the gas a bit, then letting completely off the gas, it just wouldn't shift up. It went about 2 blocks downhill at 55 mph, before it went into 5th gear. Is this normal because it is cold, or something wrong? I was not on it very hard at all, since I don't beat on cold engines. I only wish they would go back to manual transmissions with the 4.7 ho.
cramerica
01-21-2008, 06:47 AM
Sounds like the computer is holding the transmission back until the fluid warms up. 15 degrees is pretty nippy. Higher RPM's in the transmission get the fluid warmed up faster. Once it gets warm you'll see 5th gear and torque converter lockup, which should be good for another few hundred RPM drop.
As far as "going back" to manuals with the H.O....they were never available, which is a shame. I think it was a matter of transmission strength; if I remember correctly the Getrag 238 is rated to around 300 ft-lb, so the H.O. would be pushing that pretty hard.
it's all dodge
01-31-2008, 11:30 AM
According to the service dept. at my dealership, the engine has to be a certain temp before it hits 5th, so it hits 4th, not 5th, until then to not lug the engine
Luvmy98
04-05-2008, 01:28 PM
If you read your manual, it tells you right in it that it won't go into 5th until the engine/tranny temp reach a certain point.
Does anyone bother to read their manual?? I swear I am the only one. I go there first before I ever ask any questions, and 8 times out of 10 what I need to know is in that book.
Typical bunch of men!!!! (as my wife would say) :)
