3.5 EB Engine Braking?
For those of you with a 3.5 Ecoboost and a 10spd, how do you manage the transmission on long downhill grades? Do you find that the tow/haul mode does enough engine braking on its own, or do you shift...
Forum Discussion
I don't have the 10 speed, but I have the 3.5 Eco and 6 speed and I HATE the tow/haul downhill braking.... I don't need or want my truck to rev at 5000 rpms to keep my speed in check, when all I have to do to keep the speed in check for the down grade is just stab the brakes as needed and then let off...
I will manually downshift my trans to control speed as needed if it's a windy grade and lots of turns.. You aren't going that fast anyway, so to not hit the brakes at all is just not necessary IMO.. You just don't want to RIDE the brakes at anytime..
What I do is let my speed go up, then stab the brakes and slow down 10 mph or so and then LET OFF the brakes.. Let the speed gain again.. If it's gaining too fast, then sure, down shift.. But, I hate the trans downshifting with every tap of the brakes..
In the end, just manage your brake time and don't just ride them and you will usually be fine.
That's what has worked for me over all the years I've been doing this and have NEVER smoked my brakes or had any reason to even worry about it.. I go up and down passes all the time on my travels, so there you go.. :)
Mitch
I will manually downshift my trans to control speed as needed if it's a windy grade and lots of turns.. You aren't going that fast anyway, so to not hit the brakes at all is just not necessary IMO.. You just don't want to RIDE the brakes at anytime..
What I do is let my speed go up, then stab the brakes and slow down 10 mph or so and then LET OFF the brakes.. Let the speed gain again.. If it's gaining too fast, then sure, down shift.. But, I hate the trans downshifting with every tap of the brakes..
In the end, just manage your brake time and don't just ride them and you will usually be fine.
That's what has worked for me over all the years I've been doing this and have NEVER smoked my brakes or had any reason to even worry about it.. I go up and down passes all the time on my travels, so there you go.. :)
Mitch
