Proper Procedure to shift from Drive to Reverse or R to D?

[CoachStreamr]

Allison MD3060 6 Speed. Last owner told me to always shift to Neutral going from Drive to Reverse or from Reverse to Drive (which I have been doing). I do this to get on my leveling pads (back and fourth).

I read some where for troubleshooting my transmission (I can't remember where now, may have been in Posts or in a Troubleshooting guide) where it said to press the D and R band and fourth without going into Neutral.

So, is it a must / recommendation to always shift to Neutral between D and R or can you press the 'R' button when in Drive (but stopped and at idle) or pressing the 'D" button when in Reverse (but stopped and at idle)?

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[Gordon Dewald]

I read in our manual to press N between forward and reverse.

[Harry B]

I always skip neutral until I get ready to shut the engine down.
Never have had any Allison transmission problems over the last 16 years of doing this.

[CoachStreamr]

Interesting, would love to hear from even more....


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[96 Wideglide]

I shift to N for a couple of seconds before changing directions.

[cptdzl]

I pause/use Neutral, reason one it unloads the drive line from whatever direction you were going and makes a smoother transition, reason two It gives me a pause to THINK about changing directions and IF need be to set the brake and (g.o.a.l.)get out and LOOK. Sometimes I'm not always clear on what DH is directing me or I just want to see for myself where the hookups are etc.... I'm sure you'll get many more responses and you decide for yourself what works best, either way is going to work

[Mr_D]

Transmission controls won't let the trans shift from D to R if the vehicle is moving much or if the engine RPM's are too high. I never go to N when shifting from D to R, never have in the 17yrs I've had DP's.

[Winemaker2]

My Allison 3000 / 4000 manual dated 2010 says...
3.3 Cold Weather Starts

If trans fluid temp is below 50*F
To shift from fwd to rev, select N and then R
To shift from Rev to Fwd select N then D
Note always pkace trans in N prior to and direction change
Failure to follow these procedures during cold fluid cobditions may c a use the CHECK TRANS light to illuminate and the trans to br restricted to N neutral

Trans oper in extremely cold ambient temps may require preheating or the use of TES 295 trans fluid.

It goes on to list min temps for 295 & 389 fluid types and the procedure for preheating.

Seems like pause in N is only required in vold Wx but would be a goid idea to establish s h a bit and be consistent

[Cat320]

I've had Allison 1000, 3000, and 4000s, and have never had a problem and never gone to N before changing directions. Does somebody have a reference in an Allison manual? They change this stuff all the time!

This sounds like a question for Tom Johnson.

[HerbZilla]

I have my Allison 3000/4000 manual open in front of me. Section 3.3 Cold weather starts as Winemaker2 states is the only time I can see that it states to stop at Neutral before changing gears. Section 3.9 Rocking Out specifically states to go from Drive to Reverse but the vehicle needs to be stopped and engine at idle.
Section 4.1.3 selector display flashing (inhibits) states engine speed inhibit- prevents shift from neutral to either a forward range or reverse if the engine speed is above 900 rpm and Direction change inhibit- prevents shifting the transmission from forward to reverse or from reverse to forward if vehicle speed is more than the allowed speed threshold or if the engine speed is above 900 rpm.
It also states that the transmission should not be idled for more than 5 minutes if it is reverse.
Even with all that I stop at neutral myself before changing directions but that is just my personal choice. Kind of what cptdzl does, lets me stop and think. I don't go from drive to reverse in my toad either.

[CoachStreamr]

Originally Posted by HerbZilla

Section 4.1.3 selector display flashing (inhibits) states engine speed inhibit- prevents shift from neutral to either a forward range or reverse if the engine speed is above 900 rpm and Direction change inhibit- prevents shifting the transmission from forward to reverse or from reverse to forward if vehicle speed is more than the allowed speed threshold or if the engine speed is above 900 rpm.

I knew about the high idle inhibit. Actually experienced it recently after Cummins replaced the exhaust manifold and turbo. I noticed idle could be up just under 900 on the dash gauge. Cummins didn't think that should be an issue unless idle is 200-300 above normal range.

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f123/1995...ed-362200.html

Anyways, it was dealing with this I discovered Cummins installed the wrong turbo kit as someone messed up on the engines' serial number (last 2 numbers, 50 instead of the correct 20 and the work order had the engine as the 210hp). They installed the turbo kit for the 210hp, this coach is 230hp and apparently the wastegate setting is different and one other thing.

Brought the coach back and they replaced the turbo kit with the correct one, re-greased the throttle linkage at the engine and checked/adjusted the idle. I believe they did adjust it down a little bit.

I have not had any issues with the transmission since, idle seems to stay down to just above 800 when engine is to temperature (700-750 on cold start initially) though I did see it again up to just below the 900 mark again but the transmission still shifted.

I do wish I had a High Idle option.

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[davebw31]

You all have been lucky. Not pausing between gear changes from D/R or R/D. You are putting a tremendous load on the driveline, rear axle gears, and especially the U-joints!

[awol50]

Originally Posted by davebw31

You all have been lucky. Not pausing between gear changes from D/R or R/D. You are putting a tremendous load on the driveline, rear axle gears, and especially the U-joints!

Do you have anything in writing from Allison about this?
I would think if it we're important there would even be a warning on the shift pad too.

[awol50]

All my manual says is to be at a complete stop before shifting. Allison 2500.