questions about transmission

[xz96]

I heard that when mountain driving, it's better to put transmission on 2nd gear and turn Overdrive off to help breaking.

I have an old used 5r55e automatic transsmion.
1.does it put extra pressure on the transsimion if i use 2nd gear or turn OD off? i know it's gonna eat more gas, but will it increase the possibility that the transmission break down while driving? i certainly dont want to breakdown in the mountains..

i never use 2nd gear or turn OD off before, always put it on D, but im going to colorado next week which means a lot of mountain driving I-70, 550...etc

2. is it normal that after i switch transmission to D from P, there's a very small vibration noise coming from the transmission? as soon as i give gas, the vibration's gone. it's barely noticed, if i turn on audio a little bit i cant hear it
my mechanic couldn't find the problem, should i be concerned about this small noise?

3. what is the speed range for 2nd gear?at what speed should i change from D to 2nd?

4. will it damage the transmission if i change from D to 2nd a lot while driving?

thanks for all replys!

 

[koda2000]

when i tow my utility trailer with a 1000 lb 5' hay round-bail i turn off OD on hills. if the engine starts to lug or downshift frequently i'd turn off OD, but i don't suggest you put it in 2/second just because you're going up a hill.

 

[xz96]

when i tow my utility trailer with a 1000 lb 5' hay round-bail i turn off OD on hills. if the engine starts to lug or downshift frequently i'd turn off OD, but i don't suggest you put it in 2/second just because you're going up a hill.

what about long steep downgrade? should i use 2nd gear or turn off OD when going down long steep road to save breaks?

And i should turn off OD when driving around town under 50 mph right?

 

[bobflood]

I don't turn OD off in any of my vehicles except under some very limited conditions. Usually, the transmissions are smart enough to pick the right gear. One of the few places I do turn OD off is decending a long hill where a lot of braking would be required. This is the equivalent of downshifting from 4th to 3rd (in the Explorer) to use engine braking; downshifting to 2nd has not been necessary. I hardly ever tow anything; I suppose picking a lower gear manually might sometime be justified, but I have no experience base. Good luck.

 

[shadowless127]

I've never touched my O/D going up or down steep grades. If you feel like your brakes aren't slowing you down to your liking while decending a hill, drop it down into first.

As far as going up a hill, if you feel the transmission gear hunting a lot shift into 2nd, if not let it be. Unless you are towing something you really shouldn't have a problem.

 

[gnac]

Brakes are the cheapest item to replace. A transmission is over $1000 for a rebuild/service. Top of the line brakes - maybe $100 if you change them yourself.