Oops, drove in 3rd
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Eastern Long Island, NY
Posts: 952
Received 55 Likes
on
50 Posts
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6 Cyl / 4L
Oops, drove in 3rd
As the title says, I drove in 3rd on the highway for about 50 miles. I didn't notice until I looked at the RPMs. The engine was doing about 3000-3500 at 75mph. I backed off the gas pedal and brought it down to 2500 at 55mph, trying to figure out what was going on. Then it dawned on me to check the shift lever. !@@##$%%
When I moved it back to D, the RPMs dropped back to normal, about 2000 at 60mph.
It has been a week since that happened, and everything seems fine. Could I have damaged the engine or transmission?
When I moved it back to D, the RPMs dropped back to normal, about 2000 at 60mph.
It has been a week since that happened, and everything seems fine. Could I have damaged the engine or transmission?
#2
::CF Moderator::
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Prescott, Az
Posts: 43,864
Received 1,524 Likes
on
1,236 Posts
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Nope. Carry on.
Last time you did a fluid change on the trans?
Last time you did a fluid change on the trans?
#4
::CF Moderator::
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Prescott, Az
Posts: 43,864
Received 1,524 Likes
on
1,236 Posts
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
You're good to go!!!!
#6
CF Veteran
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Hunt County Texas
Posts: 1,096
Received 164 Likes
on
139 Posts
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0L
No worries. I drove for hours and hours towing a heavier trailer and kept it in 3rd the whole time to keep it from hunting gears between OD and 3rd. 3000-3500 is well below the engines designed maximum speed so no worries. Your gas mileage probably suffered a little bit will the worst of it.
#7
CF Veteran
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: central IN
Posts: 2,282
Likes: 0
Received 15 Likes
on
11 Posts
Year: 1997
Engine: 4.0
agree with above post. in 3rd gear i towed a dodge neon on a car dolly down the interstate with 4 passengers and luggage for a 3 day weekend with the ac on at 70 mph+ for 250 miles. this was on a 230k mile vehicle (30k miles ago). 0 issues. you’re fine.
Trending Topics
#8
Newbie
Done the same
I have made the same mistake a handful of times. I have had no issues. I mean my trans IS gonna die soon but it was just as crappy before and after highway speeds in 3rd.
#9
Seasoned Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Southwest Arkansas
Posts: 266
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes
on
6 Posts
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0
I went to the mountains a couple weeks ago, and I had to shift it like a standard on the uphill portions, stayed in 3rd most of the time, no problems.
#10
CF Veteran
Driving in 3 is not a mistake. It is quite normal, and necessary sometimes.
On the XJ 3rd is actually direct drive (or D). So what comes out of the transmission is 1:1 with the engine RPM. It should almost always be used when towing (per Owner's Manual) and is a good choice when in hilly/mountain environments where frequent climbs and descents are being made.
D, or 4th, on your shifter (gear selector) is actually Over Drive (OD). So what comes out of the transmission is spinning just slightly faster than the engine RPM. Good for clicking down the highway at 60+ in a relatively efficient manner (RPMs around 1800-2000). Not so great if you need any type of extra power on demand (hence the downshifting).
Both 3rd and 4th benefit from the torque converter lock-up clutch (good for efficiency and temperature of the transmission oil).
Here is a factoid that most people might not know. 4th (Overdrive) does not have transmission braking in the AW4 transmission. So when you let off the gas on a steep descent, it is mostly coasting and the transmission/motor are not helping you slow down. 3rd (direct drive) -does- incorporate transmission braking. This is very handing when pulling a trailer or just driving in hilly/curvy environments, as you'll spend a lot less time riding the brakes. You can experiment this on your own on the highway, cruise at 60+ mph in both 3rd and 4th and let off the gas. Observe how much quicker your speed reduces in 3rd vs. 4th.
On the XJ 3rd is actually direct drive (or D). So what comes out of the transmission is 1:1 with the engine RPM. It should almost always be used when towing (per Owner's Manual) and is a good choice when in hilly/mountain environments where frequent climbs and descents are being made.
D, or 4th, on your shifter (gear selector) is actually Over Drive (OD). So what comes out of the transmission is spinning just slightly faster than the engine RPM. Good for clicking down the highway at 60+ in a relatively efficient manner (RPMs around 1800-2000). Not so great if you need any type of extra power on demand (hence the downshifting).
Both 3rd and 4th benefit from the torque converter lock-up clutch (good for efficiency and temperature of the transmission oil).
Here is a factoid that most people might not know. 4th (Overdrive) does not have transmission braking in the AW4 transmission. So when you let off the gas on a steep descent, it is mostly coasting and the transmission/motor are not helping you slow down. 3rd (direct drive) -does- incorporate transmission braking. This is very handing when pulling a trailer or just driving in hilly/curvy environments, as you'll spend a lot less time riding the brakes. You can experiment this on your own on the highway, cruise at 60+ mph in both 3rd and 4th and let off the gas. Observe how much quicker your speed reduces in 3rd vs. 4th.
#11
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Eastern Long Island, NY
Posts: 952
Received 55 Likes
on
50 Posts
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6 Cyl / 4L
Driving in 3 is not a mistake. It is quite normal, and necessary sometimes.
On the XJ 3rd is actually direct drive (or D). So what comes out of the transmission is 1:1 with the engine RPM. It should almost always be used when towing (per Owner's Manual) and is a good choice when in hilly/mountain environments where frequent climbs and descents are being made.
D, or 4th, on your shifter (gear selector) is actually Over Drive (OD). So what comes out of the transmission is spinning just slightly faster than the engine RPM. Good for clicking down the highway at 60+ in a relatively efficient manner (RPMs around 1800-2000). Not so great if you need any type of extra power on demand (hence the downshifting).
Both 3rd and 4th benefit from the torque converter lock-up clutch (good for efficiency and temperature of the transmission oil).
Here is a factoid that most people might not know. 4th (Overdrive) does not have transmission braking in the AW4 transmission. So when you let off the gas on a steep descent, it is mostly coasting and the transmission/motor are not helping you slow down. 3rd (direct drive) -does- incorporate transmission braking. This is very handing when pulling a trailer or just driving in hilly/curvy environments, as you'll spend a lot less time riding the brakes. You can experiment this on your own on the highway, cruise at 60+ mph in both 3rd and 4th and let off the gas. Observe how much quicker your speed reduces in 3rd vs. 4th.
On the XJ 3rd is actually direct drive (or D). So what comes out of the transmission is 1:1 with the engine RPM. It should almost always be used when towing (per Owner's Manual) and is a good choice when in hilly/mountain environments where frequent climbs and descents are being made.
D, or 4th, on your shifter (gear selector) is actually Over Drive (OD). So what comes out of the transmission is spinning just slightly faster than the engine RPM. Good for clicking down the highway at 60+ in a relatively efficient manner (RPMs around 1800-2000). Not so great if you need any type of extra power on demand (hence the downshifting).
Both 3rd and 4th benefit from the torque converter lock-up clutch (good for efficiency and temperature of the transmission oil).
Here is a factoid that most people might not know. 4th (Overdrive) does not have transmission braking in the AW4 transmission. So when you let off the gas on a steep descent, it is mostly coasting and the transmission/motor are not helping you slow down. 3rd (direct drive) -does- incorporate transmission braking. This is very handing when pulling a trailer or just driving in hilly/curvy environments, as you'll spend a lot less time riding the brakes. You can experiment this on your own on the highway, cruise at 60+ mph in both 3rd and 4th and let off the gas. Observe how much quicker your speed reduces in 3rd vs. 4th.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
xjnm
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
38
04-15-2019 10:49 AM
pickles
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
2
09-05-2010 09:52 PM
Cherokee 4.0
Other Vehicles. Other Jeep models & cars and trucks of other makes
9
10-02-2009 09:28 PM
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)