6 Speed Manual Regrets?

[Gvsukids]

I have a manual with cold weather package... those things aren't mutually exclusive

Except having remote start.

Ladies and gentlemen, I think that rests the case. What else is there to really discuss? ?

This thread has become a place to expel the virtues of the manual.

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[TwelveGaugeSage]

I've had it off and on and can't tell a difference. I've also heard people say the hill start assist interferes with the feel, but I've not detected that, either.

The only time I notice ESC being on or off is when I go to slide around a corner. With it on, you can't do a decent slide(or donuts in the snow).

As for HSA, I had to turn it off. I tend to be very quick off the clutch and always beat the HSAs release of the breaks, causing a stall. I like the feature, but it needs to release before the clutch engages to be useful.

 

[seven30]

The only time I notice ESC being on or off is when I go to slide around a corner. With it on, you can't do a decent slide(or donuts in the snow).

As for HSA, I had to turn it off. I tend to be very quick off the clutch and always beat the HSAs release of the breaks, causing a stall. I like the feature, but it needs to release before the clutch engages to be useful.

That's interesting! FYI I took a 800mi trip yesterday with mostly favorable winds and got 19.1 average 70-75 speeds. Will pay the price going back I'm sure.

 

[seven30]

Precisely. It likes to be revved out. And it does so fantastically. It was odd downshifting a jeep so deeply at first. But I've gotten used to dropping gears. With peak torque at 4800 and peak hp at 6400, it needs to be revved high, on either transmission. We have a manual '18 compass, and it's similar on the 2.4l 4-cylinder though. It needs a couple of downshifts to get going up a steep hill. Mostly because that car is underpowered, though.
You eventually just learn your vehicle, and adapt. I've never owned an automatic vehicle, and I've definitely owned much worse manual vehicles than the Gladiator. I never felt that the transmission was misgeared. I'll admit, I'd like a stronger clutch,mostly just so towing could match the automatics, though. But then, I don't have 7000 lbs to tow anyway.

I've owned every thing from 4.0L jeeps, to old air-cooled VWs, to Subaru WRX STIs, to Challengers, all manual. My first car was a 5 speed civic that revved out to 7200. This transmission is fine. The gearing is fine. It's not for everyone though, that's why they make both transmissions.

I had an old SHO Tarus - Yamaha V6 engine. It was rev limited to about 7500 just to protect the alternator and AC compressor. The engine itself was good for 8500. Should have kept that one even though front wheel drive.

 

[AustinL911]

That's interesting! FYI I took a 800mi trip yesterday with mostly favorable winds and got 19.1 average 70-75 speeds. Will pay the price going back I'm sure.

I'm always amazed at how much the wind plays a role in my MPG. Like, I can watch 5mpg drop from my current MPG if a strong headwind kicks up. It feels like I've thrown a drogue chute out.

 

[NachoRuby]

I had an old SHO Tarus - Yamaha V6 engine. It was rev limited to about 7500 just to protect the alternator and AC compressor. The engine itself was good for 8500. Should have kept that one even though front wheel drive.

Believe it or not, Conan O'Brien daily drives one just like that still. It was the first car he brought brand new.

 

[Mr.volleyball13]

Anyone tow anything around or above 3000 lbs with their manual. How was the experience?

 

[DanW]

Anyone tow anything around or above 3000 lbs with their manual. How was the experice?

I've had close to 3k on it before. It did just fine. I've got 4.56 gears so its a breeze but it would have been fine with the 4.10 gearing, too. First gear was short even then. The only issue is backing up on flat ground or uphill. Reverse is too tall. The 4.56 gears helped but it is still a bit tall. Even backing up a light trailer is a pain.

 

[AustinL911]

I've had close to 3k on it before. It did just fine. I've got 4.56 gears so its a breeze but it would have been fine with the 4.10 gearing, too. First gear was short even then. The only issue is backing up on flat ground or uphill. Reverse is too tall. The 4.56 gears helped but it is still a bit tall. Even backing up a light trailer is a pain.

I've pulled~2500lb with my bone stock JTR and it does just fine, for the most part. 6th gear is pretty much worthless though, but I try not to use 6th unless I'm >65mph, even without a trailer, and I also try not to exceed 65 when towing, so it's mostly a non issue.


Has anybody found a logical reason for the tall gearing in reverse? Like, couldn't fit the gearset they needed or something like that? Or just poor engineering? Does anyone test these things out before releasing them?

 

[DanW]

I've pulled~2500lb with my bone stock JTR and it does just fine, for the most part. 6th gear is pretty much worthless though, but I try not to use 6th unless I'm >65mph, even without a trailer, and I also try not to exceed 65 when towing, so it's mostly a non issue.


Has anybody found a logical reason for the tall gearing in reverse? Like, couldn't fit the gearset they needed or something like that? Or just poor engineering? Does anyone test these things out before releasing them?

I can't fathom a reason they went so tall with it. Unless some engineer thought there are CAFE standards for reverse, LOL!

 

[Mr.volleyball13]

I ordered a manual, but I'm having second thoughts about it. Never owned an auto, but with low tow ratings, very tall reverse and two overdrive gears got me worried. I tow and have to backup a trailer of snowmobiles and worried about the clutch along with the fact i test drove one and couldn't get it to rev no where near what the auto did.

 

[NachoRuby]

I ordered an manual, but am having second thoughts about it. Never owned an auto, but with low tow ratings, very tall diverse and two overdrive gears got me worried. I tow and have to backup a trailer of snowmobiles and worried about the clutch along with the fact i test drove one and couldn't get it to rev no where near what the auto did.

Once you get used to it, the only real problem you that you may have will be reverse when going uphill while towing. Any other times you'll be fine. Just pretend it's a 5 speed until you hit open flat highway. Keep RPMs above 2k pretty much at all times, and it'll pull just how you want it.

 

[AustinL911]

Once you get used to it, the only real problem you that you may have will be reverse when going uphill while towing. Any other times you'll be fine. Just pretend it's a 5 speed until you hit open flat highway. Keep RPMs above 2k pretty much at all times, and it'll pull just how you want it.

Yup. I used to lug the crap out of this engine in an attempt to get my fuel mileage up with lower RPMs and I'm here to tell you it doesn't work.

I recently started playing around with running 1 gear lower than I normally do, keeping the RPMs above 2k (usually) and not using 6th until I'm going at least 65mph. It runs sooo much better this way. It used to drop the current MPG through the floor whenever I went up any sort of grade, AND it would slow down in the process. Now, there's no bogging down and the MPG actually stays up despite the increase in RPM. Total MPH (usually anything >70) affects my MPG moreso than RPM. Once you figure this out, life becomes better for you.

 

[NachoRuby]

Yup. I used to lug the crap out of this engine in an attempt to get my fuel mileage up with lower RPMs and I'm here to tell you it doesn't work.

I recently started playing around with running 1 gear lower than I normally do, keeping the RPMs above 2k (usually) and not using 6th until I'm going at least 65mph. It runs sooo much better this way. It used to drop the current MPG through the floor whenever I went up any sort of grade, AND it would slow down in the process. Now, there's no bogging down and the MPG actually stays up despite the increase in RPM. Total MPH (usually anything >70) affects my MPG moreso than RPM. Once you figure this out, life becomes better for you.

Yessir. Getting better gas mileage keeping the RPMs in that range. Much better than lugging it, and it's actually responsive.

 

[seven30]

Anyone tow anything around or above 3000 lbs with their manual. How was the experience?

Yes I have. 4.10 gears adequate but 4.56 would be a lot better. The issue is low torque below 3000 and idiot dual-mass flywheel makes startoff a challenge. Once underway its ok. Trailer brakes highly recommended at that weight.

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