Should 8HP70 automatically downshift on downhills?

RamInfo · Feb 24, 2017

Question after reading the tow/haul thread elsewhere in this forum. During normal driving with no cruise engaged and tow/haul not engaged, should the 8HP70 be downshifting on its own any time I hit a downhill and let off the gas? My Dak with 4.7 and auto never did this, and it was a plus for mileage.

I'm going in next week for an oil change, last time (first change) they did several unrequested flashes with the change. I don't seem to be making the kind of mileage I did initially, and am going to specify NO flashes without prior discussion & consent.

Anyway, wondering if the downshifts at road speeds 35-55 are normal.
Thanks,
DG

jasonw · Feb 24, 2017

Yes, thats normal. My 2010 4.7 Dakota didn't do it much, if at all, either. My wife's Grand Cherokee does it as well (2014 with Hemi and 8HP70), just not quite as aggressively as the Ram. Its normal in a lot of the the newer vehicles.

69GWC · Feb 24, 2017

What gears do you have I wonder if that makes any difference on how they are programed.
Mine does not down shift unless its in tow haul.
3:21s here

clh1220 · Feb 24, 2017

69GWC said:
What gears do you have I wonder if that makes any difference on how they are programed.
Mine does not down shift unless its in tow haul.
3:21s here

Mine does and I have 3.21. Tap the brake when you start down a hill. My big horn 14 did also.

RCFiddyOne · Feb 24, 2017

Same here and I have the 3.91.

Frisk · Feb 25, 2017

I notice the downshifting and much more engine braking after a recent trip to the dealer for service so I am assuming that they flashed it while it was in. I think that the truck drives more like it had a manual tranny now. I don't mind it.

WilliamS · Feb 25, 2017

if i tap the brakes it will downshift to maintain speed without using brakes. A lot of newer vehicles have that engine brake downhill to save the brakes on the vehicle in the hills and mountains for when you need them.

huntergreen · Feb 25, 2017

clh1220 said:
Mine does and I have 3.21. Tap the brake when you start down a hill. My big horn 14 did also.

mine doesn't do this on my 16. tried it today.

RamInfo · Feb 25, 2017

Thanks for the feedback. I have 3.92 gearing with LSD. The downshifts are always smooth and not bothersome that way, I just miss being able to free-run downhills when driving in rolling hills country. Just something to get used to, I guess...
Best,
DG

69GWC · Feb 25, 2017

Went to town and paid attention to this and did not once feel or see the tach jump so I do not believe my truck down shifts with the tow haul off.
When tow haul is on you can feel it and watch the tach jump as it down shifts.

Jetsfan122 · Feb 25, 2017

My '16 does it all the time. I have the Hemi with 3.21 gears

Csanders1992 · Feb 25, 2017

RamInfo said:
Thanks for the feedback. I have 3.92 gearing with LSD. The downshifts are always smooth and not bothersome that way, I just miss being able to free-run downhills when driving in rolling hills country. Just something to get used to, I guess...

Best,

DG

3.92s will exaggerate the engine breaking. I noticed as I kept adding miles it would do it a little less. I think it's worse while the trans is still learning

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KiloHotel · Feb 25, 2017

Down hill assist. If you hit the breaks down hill it should downshift or hold the gear. Seems to be even more sensitive in tow/haul. My Silverado did the same thing.

StoneDude76 · Feb 26, 2017

My 14 does this. Sounds good when you have a exhaust. I've been told it's normal of course by the dealership. It shifts normal otherwise.

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turkeybird56 · Feb 28, 2022

RamInfo said:
Question after reading the tow/haul thread elsewhere in this forum. During normal driving with no cruise engaged and tow/haul not engaged, should the 8HP70 be downshifting on its own any time I hit a downhill and let off the gas? My Dak with 4.7 and auto never did this, and it was a plus for mileage.

I'm going in next week for an oil change, last time (first change) they did several unrequested flashes with the change. I don't seem to be making the kind of mileage I did initially, and am going to specify NO flashes without prior discussion & consent.

Anyway, wondering if the downshifts at road speeds 35-55 are normal.
Thanks,
DG

delete:

Should 8HP70 automatically downshift on downhills?

RamInfo

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jasonw

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69GWC

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clh1220

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RCFiddyOne

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Frisk

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WilliamS

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huntergreen

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RamInfo

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69GWC

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Jetsfan122

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Csanders1992

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StoneDude76

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turkeybird56

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