Usually when I drive, I use engine braking as much as possible, especially downhill to avoid over heating the brakes. On this occasion, the six speed automatic transmission suddenly started to free wheel down a long hill in the Catskills of New York without any warning. It maintained the same engine RPMS (just over 2K), but increased the speed of the car by 20 miles per hour. I was able to put on the brakes to slow the car back down, however, if this had been a longer descent, having only the brakes to rely on could be a problem if they overheat. I can reproduce this problem consistently on steep hills. It appears that the ECT-I transmission makes decisions on its own to stop using engine braking in a descent.
Usually when I drive, I use engine braking as much as possible, especially downhill to avoid over heating the brakes. On this occasion, the six speed automatic transmission suddenly started to free wheel down a long hill in the Catskills of New York without any warning. It maintained the same engine RPMS (just over 2K), but increased the speed of the car by 20 miles per hour. I was able to put on the brakes to slow the car back down, however, if this had been a longer descent, having only the brakes to rely on could be a problem if they overheat. I can reproduce this problem consistently on steep hills. It appears that the ECT-I transmission makes decisions on its own to stop using engine braking in a descent.
- John C., Holbrook, NY, US