Snow_Runner Posted July 9, 2008 Report Share Posted July 9, 2008 During our first highway trip, I noticed with the cruise control on it would downshift to use a type of engine braking while going downhill to slow the vehicle down. I haven't had a vehicle with cruise control for many years, and I was just wondering if this is modern technology at work, or a common practice. My last vehicle with cruise just let me coast (accelerate) down hills. I can't see how this would improve fuel economy when the RPM is going up and down like that. Also during traffic (stop and go) I noticed that the tranny constantly shifts between 1st and 2nd. I guess with the 6 speed trans, and close ratios, that's what it needs to do. However having the autostick is certainly magical in these conditions as you can keep it in 2nd, and keep a steady speed in traffic. Rick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrdirt73 Posted July 9, 2008 Report Share Posted July 9, 2008 During our first highway trip, I noticed with the cruise control on it would downshift to use a type of engine braking while going downhill to slow the vehicle down.I haven't had a vehicle with cruise control for many years, and I was just wondering if this is modern technology at work, or a common practice. My last vehicle with cruise just let me coast (accelerate) down hills. I can't see how this would improve fuel economy when the RPM is going up and down like that. Also during traffic (stop and go) I noticed that the tranny constantly shifts between 1st and 2nd. I guess with the 6 speed trans, and close ratios, that's what it needs to do. However having the autostick is certainly magical in these conditions as you can keep it in 2nd, and keep a steady speed in traffic. Rick. I've made 3 or 4 long trips so far, and have never noticed this with cruise on mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snow_Runner Posted July 10, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 10, 2008 Hmmmm, in that case I guess I will look into this further. Has anyone else noticed this? Rick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larryl Posted July 10, 2008 Report Share Posted July 10, 2008 Yes mine downshifts if I have the cruise on & I head down a hill etc etc this was the same on my 2000 T&C t NavalLacrosse 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Booker T Posted July 11, 2008 Report Share Posted July 11, 2008 Sorry, can't help on the downshifts...I live in central Michigan and I can see about 300 miles straight away as we have some of the flattest land in the world...the biggest hill we have is our driveway. However, I have noticed the excessive shifting a lot. The 6 speeds really make the Journey shift way more often than I'm used to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snow_Runner Posted July 13, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 13, 2008 Thanks for the replies, I noticed on the way hom ethat it only downshifts on substantial downgrades which is okay as I am sure it would probably accelerate pretty good if it didn't downshift. I tried one of the hills without the cruise, and it really picked up speed. Better for fuel economy, but bad for the price of the speeding ticket!! Thanks again, Rick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adolfusas Posted February 24, 2009 Report Share Posted February 24, 2009 Yes, i noticed it since the very first day i drove my MY09 R/T 2.7L V6 it slows down on down hill ...which is very good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wyoram Posted February 24, 2009 Report Share Posted February 24, 2009 Yep mine will downshift too on bigger hills. In my work truck it would downshift when it reached a little above 5 mph over the set speed. First time it happened to me it scared the crap outta me :o It is a diesel and when the downshift came it almost jumped to the redline Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pops49 Posted May 13, 2020 Report Share Posted May 13, 2020 All of my Chrys. prods have done that since at least 2000. Now if I could train the thing ('10 R/T) to down shift sooner going up hills . . . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NavalLacrosse Posted May 15, 2020 Report Share Posted May 15, 2020 (edited) As far as shifting from 1st to 2nd, that transition happens at under 5mph. I think it's other gears, as the journey really doesn't like to keep first in 1st any longer than absolutely necessary. from my experience, I know that my daily commute is at 45mph, and the transmission shifts to 6th at exactly 45mph , and downshifts at to 5th at 43mph. It shifts frequently (once every 15-30 seconds, depending on if i'm coasting or accelerating). It does is really smoothly, and isn't noticeable, other than the bump up in fuel economy at 45mph. I'm also guilty of slipping in gears 1-6 to control my speed in grid-lock creep-traffic-jams at under 7mph. (foot OFF the accelerator, put it in lower gear accelerate, and progressively select higher gears maintain and gain speed, and 5th/6th to reduce speed) (reduce speed by using 6th gear? but how? Thanks for asking!: by inducing a torque converter stall by forcing 6th gear while at idle, you lose power transfer to the axle, allowing you to deccelerate as if you're in almost-neutral) Edited May 15, 2020 by NavalLacrosse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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