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Anne
Dodge Dakota
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7/13/2007
05:47:59
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 Subject: Newbie V8 A/T question
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Message:
I recently bought a 2000 Dakota V8 4.7 automatic, and so far, I love it. There doesn't seem to be much info in the owner's manual about the "OD off" button, when it should be used, or when I should be downshifting into 2nd instead (I'm slowing down while towing a trailer up hills). Can someone please tell me the basic rules - I love this truck, and don't want to beat down the tranny misusing the gears. Thanks!
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JerryM
Dodge Dakota
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7/13/2007
09:15:47
|  RE: Newbie V8 A/T question
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Message:
I have a 2000 4.7 liter AT also and keep the OD button on at all times.
I think it is useful to turn off when towing a heavy load or going up a steep hill.
Just my personal preference. I think in the last 7 years I only turned the OD button of once or twice.
If you have 4WD, it is good to put it in 4 wheel about once a month for a few miles to keep the seals from drying out.
JM
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Vanschlick
Dodge Dakota
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7/13/2007
22:24:05
| RE: Newbie V8 A/T question
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Message:
you should ALWAYS turn off the o/d while towing!
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Hollis
Dodge Dakota
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7/13/2007
23:08:42
| RE: Newbie V8 A/T question
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When towing a heavy load at highway speeds, it will constantly shift in and out of overdrive. Turning off the o/d will keep it in 4th gear; it won't shift into 5th (overdrive).
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Um,?
Dodge Dakota
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7/14/2007
01:42:21
| RE: Newbie V8 A/T question
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Message:
Um....???? They did not have 5-speed automatics in Dakotas until 03 or 04.
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Kowalski
GenIII
7/14/2007
09:13:16
| RE: Newbie V8 A/T question
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Message:
That's true - my '00 4.7 has the 4 speed 45RFE tranny just like Anne's. You should never have to shift down to second gear when towing, it will be selected automatically when needed. While sound advice for the others, including the other v8's, I disagree with the advice to disable OD when towing for her. Those of us with this combo have noticed the transmission is not as prone to "hunting" as the others; and only goes into OD gear when in low load towing situations, Like downhill. When I changed the fluid, it was clean, no burnt smell that excess heat would cause. I've been towing a 5500 lb camper that way for many years, with no problems. The 4.7 loves revs; with a higher redline than the other v8's - don't be afraid to let it sing going uphill. This tranny will shift fine on its own.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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Anne
Dodge Dakota
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7/14/2007
10:18:18
| RE: Newbie V8 A/T question
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Thank you so much for the good advice! Sounds like I just need to stop "babying" this vehicle. To quote my boyfriend (sitting in the passenger seat, watching me sweat the hills), "This is a BAD ASS truck - just step on the gas! It can handle it." After 10 years with a 4-cyl. Jeep Wrangler (my last vehicle), I guess it's hard to believe something will just charge up a hill when I ask it to!
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daddio
Dodge Dakota
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7/14/2007
10:22:36
| RE: Newbie V8 A/T question
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Message:
UM, wrong. 5spd autos came into the daks in '00 with the 4.7.
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Kowalski
GenIII
7/14/2007
10:53:52
|  RE: Newbie V8 A/T question
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No, Daddio; you might want to look that up. Take it from a guy who owns one - the '00 45RFE is a 4 speed; it was the 545RFE used in later years that was the 5 speed variation of that tranny. With the planetary gear type tranny, all it took was an electronic reprogramming for them to change that to the 5 speed - I'm not sure what year that was, but an '00 4.7 is definitely a 4 speed.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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daddio
Dodge Dakota
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7/14/2007
11:24:50
| RE: Newbie V8 A/T question
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Message:
ok, i thought the 45rfe was a 5spd. my mistake. sorry UM.
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Hollis
Dodge Dakota
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7/14/2007
12:19:21
| RE: Newbie V8 A/T question
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Message:
They have 2 different 2nd gears. One for acceleration and one for downshifting. So it is a 4 speed but it does have 5 gears. We are all correct.
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Hollis
Dodge Dakota
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7/14/2007
12:22:38
| RE: Newbie V8 A/T question
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Message:
I agree with Kowalski about leaving the o/d on. It knows what gear it should be in just fine.
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Kowalski
GenIII
7/14/2007
14:56:58
|  RE: Newbie V8 A/T question
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It's still considered a 4 speed - even though there are 2 possible 2nd gears, sequentially it only goes through 4 getting up to top gear and back down again. Saying it could be considered either would only lead to further confusion as the real 5 speed, the 545 RFE is set up the same way. We don't call that a 6 speed transmission as it only goes through 5 speeds sequentially on the way to top gear.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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JerryM
Dodge Dakota
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7/14/2007
15:34:39
| RE: Newbie V8 A/T question
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Message:
Anne,
I am sure by now that you know the 4.7 liter has a lot of pep, but be careful on that pedal because you will pay $$$$$ at the gas pump.
My 2000 4.7 liter gets about 13-14 MPG driving around town.
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Hollis
Dodge Dakota
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7/14/2007
18:00:32
| RE: Newbie V8 A/T question
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Message:
Oh, ok. I stand corrected.
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