Lugging...

So, with my '08 KK, I've noticed that the engine lugs quite a lot just during normal driving. Keep in mind, most of my driving is between 35 and 45 MPH on some slightly hilly roads. What I've noticed specifically is that the RPMs will drop to below 1K, even when I add a little gas, and not downshift unless I really jam it down to the floor. Is this normal? It seems a little odd for something to be constantly lugging all the time--and a little detrimental to the engine.

I have discovered that the shift points do, in fact, change when in tow/haul mode, thereby fixing the problem, but I still wonder if all this lugging is damaging my vehicle in some way. Any ideas as to what I should watch out for and how to permanently fix the problem?

When was the last time you put in new spark plugs, air filter, and oil change? Start with the simple things first. Also put in a fuel system cleaner next time you fill.

And clean your throttle body... you may have carbon build up.

Sounds like you are driving right around the ****** shift point for it shifting from d to od. Then on inclines the ****** starts hunting for the right gear. Either d or od and back and forth. This heats up the ****** good and not good at all for the ****** as it could get too hot. I don't see where it would hurt the engine as much as the ******. The fix is to just lock out od as you said as this keeps the ****** from shifting all the time.

Even though it is an A/T you still need to shift it sometimes.

Just my opinion.

Dave

Dave said:

Sounds like you are driving right around the ****** shift point for it shifting from d to od. Then on inclines the ****** starts hunting for the right gear. Either d or od and back and forth. This heats up the ****** good and not good at all for the ****** as it could get too hot. I don't see where it would hurt the engine as much as the ******. The fix is to just lock out od as you said as this keeps the ****** from shifting all the time.

Even though it is an A/T you still need to shift it sometimes.

Just my opinion.

Dave

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Very true... I've gotten too used to flat land in the Virginia Beach area. When driving through hills/mountains, there can be spots where the incline is too much to keep the performance in one gear, but not enough to switch to the next. Turn off O/D and should take care of it. New plugs and air filter always helps too.

VeitzJeep said:

Very true... I've gotten too used to flat land in the Virginia Beach area. When driving through hills/mountains, there can be spots where the incline is too much to keep the performance in one gear, but not enough to switch to the next. Turn off O/D and should take care of it. New plugs and air filter always helps too.

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on a KK you can not turn off OD

Vjesse said:

on a KK you can not turn off OD

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Really? That *****. I guess start driving faster then!

Vjesse said:

on a KK you can not turn off OD

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Got a TOW/HAUL button on my 08...

Vjesse said:

on a KK you can not turn off OD

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On my 2010, when in tow haul it never shifts into OD. Makes it nice on the back roads and the winding mountain highways when you hardly ever get over 40mph.