Slow reaction of overdrive could give me a speeding ticket

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David Gardener

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The overdrive on my 2017 Tradesman is slow to change gears. When going up a hill, it doesn't start to gear down until going about 5 mph under the set speed. Then when it does gear down, it is going so slows that the RPMs jump to 4500 and it roars into action and by the time you reach the top of the hill, you are at least 5 mph over the set speed and you could find yourself with a speeding ticket.
I took it to the dealer and they said it is operating as designed... so apparently, it is just a **** poor design! When going uphill, it should gear down sooner so the RPM doesn't get up so high, and then when it gets to the set speed it should stop accelerating instead of just keep putting the gas to it.

Everything on my tradesman is slow to react. Stop at a stop sign and when you get ready to go, you press down on the accelerator and nothing happens, so you press a little more the RPM goes way up and you roar away down the road.

Turn on the fan on the heater or AC and nothing happens until a long delay
 

Different Drummer

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Your truck cannot anticipate that hill ahead the way you can. I use cruise an awful lot. I am familiar enough with my truck that I can anticipate the gear it will ultimately need to climb the up coming hill smoothly on cruise control. I simply shift the truck down sequentially through the appropriate number of gears before reaching the hill Things go much smoother. Basically like driving a standard shift vehicle. Give it a try.
As far as the throttle goes, my RAM is the first new vehicle I have ever bought. Believe me, I am ancient. It took me a while to get used to a throttle that did not have a physical connection to the Carb. / throttle body. It is now a non issue.
 
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crash68

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When going up a hill, it doesn't start to gear down until going about 5 mph under the set speed. Then when it does gear down, it is going so slows that the RPMs jump to 4500 and it roars into action and by the time you reach the top of the hill, you are at least 5 mph over the set speed and you could find yourself with a speeding ticket.
Unless the area your in has real sticklers for police, I highly doubt you'll get pulled over 5mph over. Especially not for a short bit while cresting or descending hills. Police speed radar is only accurate within 2-3% and the same goes for a vehicle speedometer. This coming directly from a speed enforcement officer, they usually don't even look at you unless your at least 10-15 mph over unless it's in a school/residential zone.
If your in a hilly area that causes the truck to frequently downshift to drive up hills, you might want to turn the Tow/Haul mode on.
 

Daw14

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You are responsible for control of the vehicle , Cruise control is not appropriate to use in every situation, this is when your brain should take over control . Just like not using in snow or ice. When operating a vehicle ,common sense should be used ,if available.
 

Kenobi

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Just give the truck a bit more throttle as you start to go up a hill. Then hold until the truck finally kicks it down a gear. Downhill, if it's that much of a decline, downshift a gear or two. :)
 

Octane

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I have seen this problem before, it usually starts right behind the steering wheel with a glitch that can not comprehend common sense.
I thought everybody knew that when you get close to the top of the hill you pushed the hemi switch and off you go!!
 

kurek

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OP, you're getting roasted here and for good reason.

This is how every car with an automatic has always worked. They're reactive, it's normal. Cruise control has always had to play catch-up on hills. Vehicles with a CVT or or electric vehicles with a direct drive are less susceptible.
 

RLJ10X

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Big truck. Small engine. Tall gears. Automatic transmission. Cruise control. Hills. What could possibly go wrong?

My other 2 vehicles have short rear end gears, and 3 petals; They still get decent fuel mileage. And very seldom do I use cruise control. I'm ok with an automatic transmission, as long as I am in charge of what gear it's in, and I modulate the throttle.

I know a lot of guys over the years, have bad mouthed the old 545RFE. But, if you put 4.10s behind it, and give the driver a Slap Stick, it does a very acceptable job. The new GT has a Slap Stick, and I'll bet the sell them as fast as the can build them.
 

Rlaf75

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I'm not trying to break your balls but I think you may be over thinking it. Pretty much every vehicle with cruise control acts the same way. It senses the truck slowing down going up the hill and it will give it gas accordingly until it reaches the point it needs to change gears to keep up the speed. Most of the time it will stay in that lower gear until it senses the speed start to catch up to the set speed of the cruise control. The speed and gear change is not as instantaneous as it would be if you were in control of the throttle. You can anticipate the top of the hill but the trucks computer's cannot. As far as getting a ticket, I doubt that would happen for 5 miles over the limit. The cops wouldnt even waste their time pulling someone over for that. Christ, if you've ever driven on the highway youd see people are going a lot faster than 5 miles over the limit. I wouldn't worry about it too much. Enjoy the truck
 

Burla

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Drive in tow haul problem solved.
 

Jim Carelas

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But, but Officer. I was just running along on Cruise Control. It's not my fault.!! It's the Trucks Fault. Ticket the Truck.!! :eek:)
 

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