Transmission shifting

[DesertRatt]

Nice technique macnut.

[al1florida]

Originally Posted by al1florida View Post
My original posting: With my gas engine RV I used a ScanGauge » Products which displayed the engine temperature. I just watched the engine temp and as it goes up I geared down. It may be possible for the ScanGauge to be programmed to display the transmission temp. I just never explored that option.

While it is nice to have a transmission temp gauge, I feel just watching the engine temp works very well. The transmission cooling fins are in front of the engine radiator so the transmission tends to heat the engine up.

I never got too concerned on my Ford until the temps got above 212 to 215, which was only once or twice and that was in very hot weather on steep climbs.

Originally Posted by Goodspike

Although every engine/transmission setup is different, my truck's transmission fluid heats up much more, and varies much more, than coolant temp or engine oil temp. Coolant probably only varies 10 degrees, oil 20 and transmission over 50!

Certainly the oil & transmission fluids increase in temperature more or much more than the coolant temp does.

The point is that by watching the engine temp you will know that the overall temp of all 3 fluids is increasing and take steps to reduce the load so the temperature stops climbing, climbs slower, or goes down.

Or if you are really concerned then go through the time and expense of installing an oil & transmission fluid temperature gauges.

[Goodspike]

Originally Posted by al1florida

The point is that by watching the engine temp you will know that the overall temp of all 3 fluids is increasing and take steps to reduce the load so the temperature stops climbing, climbs slower, or goes down.

Or if you are really concerned then go through the time and expense of installing an oil & transmission fluid temperature gauges.

Or you could buy a $20 OBD-II bluetooth device.

Complicating matters further, not only does my truck's coolant temperature not vary much when warmed up, but the analog gauge is not at all accurate when it is heating up. The difference between 145 and 185 is hardly noticeable on the gauge, something I wouldn't know without an OBD-II device. I have no idea what the gauge does at higher temperatures because my truck has never overheated.

[akeagle]

Originally Posted by DesertRatt

I guess was dreaming when I thought I could get 10MPG. LOL

If you have a ScanGuage, lift your foot off the accelerator when going down a big hill. You'll see the MPG momentarily spike to 99.999!

[DesertRatt]

Originally Posted by akeagle

If you have a ScanGuage, lift your foot off the accelerator when going down a big hill. You'll see the MPG momentarily spike to 99.999!

On my way home today -- 328 miles - - I managed 9MPG, by keeping RPM at 2200 and a speed of 57 in top gear. I avoided using Cruise, so that I could keep it in top gear with no down shifting up the small hills.

Years ago I read a piece which asserted that the MPG problem with RV was air resistance, not weight. That big, tall, wide frontal profile trying to break wind at high speed is the culprit. Mileage goes down very quickly as speed rises just a little bit.

Now that I am home, I'll be looking for the right OBD-based gauge package.

[Wyatt]

Originally Posted by DesertRatt

I guess was dreaming when I thought I could get 10MPG. LOL

Well, I’f you’re gong to “Dream”, why not dream for 20mph?

[Goodspike]

Originally Posted by akeagle

If you have a ScanGuage, lift your foot off the accelerator when going down a big hill. You'll see the MPG momentarily spike to 99.999!

My Colorado Duramax tracks fuel mileage over 25, 50 and 450 miles, and records the "best" for each. Even towing a trailer I'll have to reset the 25 and 50s at times after going down a pass. Actually I just had to do that recently going near Mt. Saint Helens--not even a pass situation.

I can often get the 25 mile "best" up to over 37 when doing normal freeway driving, so if my best gets over that going down a pass I'll reset it.

[DryCreek]

Originally Posted by Wyatt

Well, I’f you’re gong to “Dream”, why not dream for 20mph?

At 20 m.p.h., you should easily get almost 12 m.p.g.

[atodalen]

Im another happy 5 star customer that's very pleased with the improvement in shift points. No more nasty 3rd gear downshifts.