All of the fleet pickups at work are automatics, so I got stuck driving a 2008 (or 09) Chevrolet 2500HD with a 6.0 for 500 miles today... half empty, half towing a 16' enclosed trailer.

(and yes, it was a single cab )

The last time I drove an automatic, there was a significant benefit to relaxing the throttle when you knew it was going to shift... it made the shift a little smoother, so you don't jerk passengers or cargo around and spill your drink...

It seems that transmission HATED when I let the RPMs fall a couple hundred during a shift. It would fumble around and cancel the shift, only to do it again a split second later. How are you supposed to make shifting smooth in those things? It was possible in the 1970s...

It's an auto...you don't do anything but push down on the pedal if you want to go faster, or release it if you want to start decelerating.

But, the late-model GM TCMs are set to do the hard shift thing. Or so it seems.

Late model GM transmission's tow/haul mode shift rough, one of the reasons why I've hated towing with any of my past chevys.

'08 or '09 with a gas engine most likely has a 6L80 trans. Six speed with adaptive learning.
Get rid of the 'lift for the shift' habit. The adapt cells use a number of parameters like speed, load, line pressure, throttle angle and such and keep a history of conditions for each shift. It uses this history to make it's own adjustments for each and every shift for the best, most efficient shift. Lifting the throttle just confuses it and it will start hunting gears trying to figure out WTF the driver wants.

TexasRebel

Living in the 70s

Welcome to 21st century transmission technology.

Great, another thing for us old farts to un-learn. Next thing I know, you guys will be telling me not to pump the brakes on ice and snow.

also, you don't have to pump the gas pedal on cold mornings to get 'er started

...and you no longer need worry about breaking your arm cranking the starter too!

Should I stop pumping the gas pedal a few times before I start the engine top?

or even pull the manual choke

How do you set the points on the new engines, again?

Easy, Canyon.

With car running, pull off the closest spark plug wire to you.

Take the end, put it to your tongue like a 9v battery.

When you wake back up, laugh.

Points are now set.

Dmmmmnn uuuuuu bbbbgggg rrrrbbbb!!!! Ttttthhht hhhrrt!

Wait, no more horse and carriage?!

If TR drove my 2000 F150 like he is describing, letting off the gas just a touch a second before it shifts, it makes the ride much smoother and you can accelerate faster doing this than just mashing down the pedal. Plus my truck has an ungodly 2-3 shift if I'm hard on the pedal.

Chevy - shifts like a rock.