Safe rpm range

gbakes

Test Drive
Hey all, curious if anyone knows or has any literature that shows safe rpm ranges for going downhill in an auto, whether it be first or second gear what can these things handle? Thanks

Grant
 

TerryD

Total Tease
Supporting Member
Location
Covington, Va
I try to maintain about 2k up or down when I'm off-road.

I think the manual states not to shift into 3rd when decelerating if you're over 60mph, which works out to about 3200rpm I believe in my X.

Mine is a 2nd Gen. You'll want to check your manual.
 

gbakes

Test Drive
Thank you I appreciate it! I was asking for more geared towards just steep mountain roads in general, not wanting to ride the brakes so much, but again thank you!
 

TerryD

Total Tease
Supporting Member
Location
Covington, Va
What speeds are we talking about. I think keeping the engine under 3k would be reasonable for any hold back situation.

Also, to help cool keep your brakes cool and minimize wear, brake heavily to get to 5-10mph below what you want to travel, then release the brakes and allow the vehicle to begin naturally accelerating again. Your brakes can cool while that happens and be ready to repeat once you've exceeded the speed you want to travel.

You have to adjust it based on conditions and the speed you're wanting to travel.
 

gbakes

Test Drive
Well so for example I just drove through the Smoky Mountains earlier this month and when going down steep grade on a 2 lane campground road (speed limit probably 25), Id have the X in 1 (it’s an auto) and would very easily gain speed because of the weight and quickly get to 20-25 mph and about 3k rpm, so I’d end up going into 2nd to avoid any damage to anything because I wasn’t sure what it could handle, ultimately whether in first or second I seemed to gain too much speed for it to be safe for the X and would end up on the brakes which just kind of defeats the purpose of using low gear to me. But yes I’m familiar with that style of braking, mainly save mine for turns on windy downhills like that
 

TerryD

Total Tease
Supporting Member
Location
Covington, Va
Well so for example I just drove through the Smoky Mountains earlier this month and when going down steep grade on a 2 lane campground road (speed limit probably 25), Id have the X in 1 (it’s an auto) and would very easily gain speed because of the weight and quickly get to 20-25 mph and about 3k rpm, so I’d end up going into 2nd to avoid any damage to anything because I wasn’t sure what it could handle, ultimately whether in first or second I seemed to gain too much speed for it to be safe for the X and would end up on the brakes which just kind of defeats the purpose of using low gear to me. But yes I’m familiar with that style of braking, mainly save mine for turns on windy downhills like that
In that example, using the braking technique would be the thing to do. 3k is a little high IMO to do that. I grew up pulling trailers so it's always been OK in my mind to go slower than the speed limit to protect the truck and load and go at a speed that everything seems comfortable with.

1st Gens are geared a lot lower than 2nd Gens. What ratio is yours? Should be on the door tag.
 
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