eric1514 wrote:
Downshifting for grades is the thing to do.
Downshifting for stop lights is tranny abuse. That's why we have brakes.
Well ... many late model Class C RV transmissions - such as my 2005 Ford E450 cutaway van based motorhome - have computer controlled transmissions with an electronically invoked (button on the gear shift lever) TOW/HAUL mode.
This mode is to be used whenever the van is carrying a load or towing something. Since a cutaway van under a motorhome is always carrying a heavy load, these type motorhomes can be driven in their TOW/HAUL mode all of, or most of, the time if desired.
When in TOW/HAUL mode my E450 downshifts whenever I lightly tap it's brake pedal ... even when approaching stop lights. My motorhome now has about 42,000 miles on it's original pads and rotors - with around 85% left on it's front brake pads. Use of TOW/HAUL mode can automatically help save the brakes all the time and can automatically help to save lives on long downgrades.
