I just bought the 06 quad cab with the V8 magnum and (I think) the 5 speed overdrive tranny. I'm getting this noise from the tranny at 40 mph. In my old truck I always drove with the OD off to prevent this unless on the freeway. Dodge calls this the "tow/haul" mode. Is it okay to do the same on the Dakota? It does eliminate that "seeking" groan.


Budking

 

the tow/haul should only be used when towing/hauling OR on the freeway going uphill/steep grade...other than that with OD off its going to be shifting too much and causing more ear/tear on the transmission than need be if you have it off around town. Thats what i have been told at least. If its making noises you dont approve of though take it in and get it checked out, it very well could be something up.

 

the tow/haul button is locked out 5th gear (od) most recomend driving in tow/haul, around town...it stops the trans from shiftting toomuch. i if left in od, (tow /haul mode off) it causes the tranny to be in od at way to low of a rpm...

 

The only thing OD off really affects without towing or hauling is lower fuel milage. Too low rpm would only be under @ 750-800 rpm. As for shifting too frequently it's more on how the driver drives. i.e heavy or light footed. Weather OD on or off, it's still gonna shift, only thing is between which gears. OD on, between OD and 4. Off, between 4 and 3, which would be higher rpm and lower fuel economy.

 

do 06's have the 5 speed automatic? because my mechanic friend looked it up on a program he has on his computer and the 05's only have a 4 speed automatic....nothing else...wtf is that about?

 

Personally I do not know if the '06 auto has 5 speeds or not. I was only refering to 5th gear because that's what he said he had in his original post. Either way, just change the numbers I posted and my response is still fact.

 

According to my info on the 06 Dakota:

3.7L V6 had the option of a 4 speed auto trany and a 6 speed manual as standard; except the Laramie came std with 4 speed auto and the 6 speed was not offered. This is for the 3.7L V6.

The 4.7L V8 Mag & HO all had the 5 speed auto or 6 speed manual as options; again Except for the Laramie which did not have the 6 speed manual as an option.

So if you had the V6 w/auto then you got the 4 speed auto.

Currently have 710 miles on my new 2006 QC 4.7L with 5 spd auto and LSD 4X4, tow pkg + other goodies. Last tank of hi-test gas got me 16.99 mpg combo hiway/city. I do not use the Tow feature unles I am towing. The last 100 miles I have begun break-in while towing my camper and I definitely engage the Tow button. It changes the shift pattern (stay in each gear sleightly longer) and locks out the OD gear. This results in a smoother power curve and less stress on the ole ball coupling. I do not have any mpg while towing, yet.

 

On the Dodge website, you can't build a Dakota with the 4.7 HO & a 6-speed manual

You can only get the 45RFE 5-speed auto with it

 

You are correct, my error. No 6 speed manual for HO. [:@]

Thanks for catching that.

 

driving in od with the rpms lower than 1900 rpm is terrible for the tranny since, the lube circuit is not as good at such a low rpm and the output speed of the trans is higher than the input speed....thats why they have for years told people to not use od at speeds under 45 mph....the trans can burn up....thats also why some od trannys will not allow a od shift under full throttle,due to the weak circuit.