In the Cummins 600 press release, they mention something about a zero throttle start with the 6 spd manual on the 2004.5 trucks.

Can this be true Do they mean when starting in the very low first gear or is it possible when starting off in second gear?

This is a very unique feature if it is true. I havn't ever heard of a SMOOTH zero throttle start before.

I guess I could wait about a week and a half longer to fiind out for myself but I want to know now!

 

I don't have my truck yet so can't give real experience advice. But from the sound of it, they are stating you can let the clutch out slowely without giving any throttle. I think any turbo diesel engine should do this so I don't see what's so special about it.

I currently drive a commuter car (VW Jetta TDI) until my Ram gets here and it can do the same. I can go through drive-thru's without ever hitting the gas. Maybe with the Dodge you can do the same but with pulling 15k lbs!!!

 

All you do is let the clutch out and don't touch the go pedal. It automatically adjusts the engine speed and will not stall. It is virtually impossible to stall the engine unless you are in way too high of a gear. This is nothing brand new. My previous 2001.5 also had this feature.

 

I think they were making a big deal about it because of the "big three" it's the only one that can do it under significant load.

A couple months ago I was stopped on a grade that was about 9-10% and pulling over 6000#, I let off the clutch and gave it no gas and it crawled right up the hill, no sputter, nothing, just as smooth as could be.

 

Yes, the computer controlled engines are designed that way. You will actually increase your clutch life if you learn to launch without using the throttle. Even my 99 6-speed has it. I can pull my 25ft power boat (with big block chevy) out of the water with zero throttle. It will work similarly on your big camper trailer that you just changed the tire on when going up a mountain pass. You don't have to worry about stalling it when pulling out in front of that semi. I am not saying it is impossible to stall one, but the low speed governor will allow up to max torque with zero throttle to keep the engine from stalling.

It is one of the advantages over the powerjoke and duramax.

 

A great feature. Very useful pulling the boat up the ramp.

With no load, I can let the clutch out and run the gears into 6th all without touching the throttle.

That low speed governor is a nice thing ...... until you find yourself in bumper to bumper traffic with light foot on the brake rolling along gently behind the guy in front of you, when the engine senses that it may stall, then WAKES up/revs up and charges forward towards that stack of cars in front of you.

 

What about starting off in second? I would never do that under load of course, but when empty it sure is much easier to start off in second given the fact that 1st only gets me to 5mph before I have to shift again.

 

Wow! THat really sounds good.

It will probably be especially good for me because I have very little manual transmission experience.

 

Yes, I usually start in second when unloaded and never use the throttle to launch loaded or unloaded. You can't dump it of course, but you can let it out as fast as you would with giving it throttle. Yeah, that first gear is why you can pull 14,000 lbs. Personally, I have big enough tires on mine (315 on 17 in rims) that I can use first with some affect and at highway speed I am not always reaching for 7th.

I bet you could start in 3rd with no throttle, but it prolly wouldn't be very good for your clutch life.

 

I like that, powerjoke! I've never heard that before!

 

I have launched in 3rd with no throttle unloaded. It grunted a second and pulled on out....This was by mistake and I would not suggest doing this regularly. JKE

 

I found out about the low speed governer by performing an old habit from the old 72 Blazer that I had. I was coming to a stop in 3rd while braking and lug the engine down to a stop. At 500 rpm the engine surged and the truck started to excelerate!!! Had to hit the clutch quickly. Also had to change my driving habits.

 

Papaduck, thats exactly what I was talking about.... I almost pushed a dozen cars the first time that happened.

 

It is awesome I was at the sand dunes pulling about 10,000 lbs. with my '02. When we were leaving there was a powercroke that was just pulling a 4 place 4wheeler trailer aprox. 3,500 lbs. and he was stuck for the lack of power. He couldn't even spin the tires in 2wd and he couldn't get it into 4 low (lever was stuck). He didn't like me too much when I just let out on the clutch slowly and the dodge took right off pulling 10,000 lbs.

 

another bonehead mistake....I was in a drive through waiting behind several cars. Thought I had it in neutral (I always go to neutral when stopped...except this time ) actually had it in first. I just took my foot off of the clutch....there was some serious pucker factor going on. I thought the truck was going to wheelie onto the car in front of me ....got on the clutch and brake just in time! I almost got whiplash from that. I think my head hit the back of the seat and then the steering wheel.....good thing I am not the type to sit right on top of someones bumper when behind them.........JKE I bet it was funny to watch though...