Correct Use of the Auto Transmission

[Offroader Member Find all posts View Profile Close Offroader]

Over the years I've heard different ideas as to how to operate an auto to reduce excessive wear and tear, such as selecting neutral at traffic lights, manually shifting down to a lower gear for hill climbs and never letting the engine lug under load. The Prado manual suggests that the transmission be placed in the "D" position for the majority of applications, except when engine braking is required. I recall however, that engine braking with an auto places significant stress on the tyranny and is generally not advised. Running in "D" requires a fair bit of brake use, particularly offroad because the car continually wants to roll ahead of actual driving conditions. Some cabbies reckon they get more out of their taxi transmissions by selecting 3rd around town to prevent the transmission from constantly cycling through the gears. Are there any steps which can be taken to prolong the life of the auto or is it really just a case of sticking it in D and forgetting about it?

[D4D Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4D]

Re: Correct Use of the Auto Transmission

I use D everywhere in the city, I sometimes flip it to 4th if I want some torque to overtake.

In the bush I use 3, 2 or 1 depending on the terrain, engine braking is you friend downhill rather than just brakes. 3 for uphill or high speed stuff, 2 for bog holes or water crossings, 1 for big downhills.

[Chuck Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chuck]

Re: Correct Use of the Auto Transmission

Don't know about correct use but I change down as far as 2nd with the camper on to make use of the engine braking.
I just push it back to 2nd and let the electronics decide on the changes. (don't know if this is the best practice though.
1st low range locked in the hard down hill stuff seems to work fine, surprised me with the amount of engine braking available.
The rest just depends on the terrain at the time.


Chuck

[samo Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close samo]

Re: Correct Use of the Auto Transmission

the best use for an auto is to remove it and put a manual is :lol: :lol: :lol: cheers samo

[Chriso57 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chriso57]

Re: Correct Use of the Auto Transmission

the best use for an auto is to remove it and put a manual is :lol: :lol: :lol: cheers samo

Give ya a drag race down the beach Samo. Auto vs Manual.

Autos are also better suited to those of us who like a cold bevvy in the left hand while 4WDriving. :lol: :lol:

Chriso.

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

Re: Correct Use of the Auto Transmission

I leave mine in "D" most of the time, even when towing. The brain will sort out what gear it wants, locked up converter or not, etc.

I have discovered that when driving through the bush, whilst towing at speeds less than 60km/hr, I can get better consumption figures if I pull it back to 4.

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

Re: Correct Use of the Auto Transmission

I tend to pull the transmission into 4 or 3 to slow the car down hill. Especially on a couple of hills around my place where the speed limit is 60 or 70 and the Prado will easily run up to 90+ under gravity in D. I do this too on my Clubbie even though it has active cruise control. The downside is that if someone is following too closely they tend to get intimately close until they realise they also need to slow down. A friend followed me through some ranges last weekend and when we stopped he told me that my brake lights didn't work. Well that is because the pedal wasn't being used...

There is nothing in the manual (that I remember) that says this is not recommended and when I bought the 120 which is my first auto 4wd I asked the sales and service guys and they said that is fine the transmission is designed to be used like that.

Michael

[StormyKnight Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close StormyKnight]

Re: Correct Use of the Auto Transmission

Yep D unless you need engine braking (R if you've made too many assumptions :shock: )

The auto won't let you lug in overdrive, it will just change down a gear as soon as the revs drop but the pedal is still down.

Also it won't change up to overdrive till you reach the right speed & requested throttle position combination too.

You may on occasions move it out of top in hilly country to reduce the number of gear changes that just need to be reversed on the next climb.

Cheers

[maxjj Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close maxjj]

Re: Correct Use of the Auto Transmission

I wouldn`t mind a pretend clutch pedal, just so I know what to do with my left foot. :P
This is my first ever auto and I wouldn`t mind a sports mode. It takes too long to down change when you want to acc out of corners. Basically I often change down to third before corners as I am braking, just so its ready to go when you want to accelerate. Otherwise I can have a holiday in the time it decides it wants to do it.
Fine if people want to drive for fuel economy, but I just want to drive, give me a sports mode, please.

[StormyKnight Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close StormyKnight]

Re: Correct Use of the Auto Transmission

Sports mode in a Diesel 4WD? :shock: I think that would require a manual wouldn't it?

Although some paddles on the steering wheel could help when the going gets rough..... :shock:

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

Re: Correct Use of the Auto Transmission

I wouldn`t mind a pretend clutch pedal, just so I know what to do with my left foot. :P
This is my first ever auto and I wouldn`t mind a sports mode. It takes too long to down change when you want to acc out of corners. Basically I often change down to third before corners as I am braking, just so its ready to go when you want to accelerate. Otherwise I can have a holiday in the time it decides it wants to do it.
Fine if people want to drive for fuel economy, but I just want to drive, give me a sports mode, please.

Get a bloody sports car!
(I have: 347 fuel injected Windsor with 5 speed manual in a 1100kg RMC Cobra.)

[Schaffer Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Schaffer]

Re: Correct Use of the Auto Transmission

I wouldn`t mind a pretend clutch pedal, just so I know what to do with my left foot. :P
This is my first ever auto and I wouldn`t mind a sports mode. It takes too long to down change when you want to acc out of corners. Basically I often change down to third before corners as I am braking, just so its ready to go when you want to accelerate. Otherwise I can have a holiday in the time it decides it wants to do it.
Fine if people want to drive for fuel economy, but I just want to drive, give me a sports mode, please.

Do some research on Brake Throttle Modulation. That will give you something to do with your left foot and much better control over your vehcile. YOu can then also negate the need for a lot of the electronic traction control which is just doing the same thing (more or less) for you.

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

Re: Correct Use of the Auto Transmission

I wouldn`t mind a pretend clutch pedal, just so I know what to do with my left foot. :P
This is my first ever auto and I wouldn`t mind a sports mode. It takes too long to down change when you want to acc out of corners. Basically I often change down to third before corners as I am braking, just so its ready to go when you want to accelerate. Otherwise I can have a holiday in the time it decides it wants to do it.
Fine if people want to drive for fuel economy, but I just want to drive, give me a sports mode, please.

Do some research on Brake Throttle Modulation. That will give you something to do with your left foot and much better control over your vehcile. YOu can then also negate the need for a lot of the electronic traction control which is just doing the same thing (more or less) for you.

It's funny that you mention the use of left foot for braking with the auto. I actually do this myself. I know that it's supposed to be wrong but after many years of practice I think I have it mastered. It's just like driving a go-cart. And I have never had a problem reverting to left foot for clutch and right foot for accelerator and brake when driving a manual.

It all comes down to training the brain. I know all about muscle memory and what people revert to when under stress. I use the same principles when shooting practical and having to utilize over half a dozen different holsters for the various handguns that I compete with. Each has a unique way of operating and because of much practice I never get confused about how they all work.

[Bazza Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Bazza]

Re: Correct Use of the Auto Transmission

On my previous 03 model, I drove it like a manual. I shifted it up and down gears regularly, at every stop sign, set of lights, or any time I needed to slow up. I never had any problems with transmission in the six years I owned it. I also believe that this was the reason for only 3 set of brake pads, and one rotor re-face on my 03 model in 257,000k. I intend to drive my current 09 model in the same manner.
Bazza.

[maxjj Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close maxjj]

Re: Correct Use of the Auto Transmission

I can see benefit in braking and throttle for the odd times when 4wd driving, my gripes with the auto are simply that its all set up for fuel economy. It should change down, as you slow down. Not wait until you accelerate. Its reminds me of driving an old barge arse taxi falcon. The new autos in the falcon are brilliant, by the way.

In the manual I don`t leave it in topgear when braking and slowing for a corner and then when I realise I am in too high a gear change down. The auto is there to do things automatically, so change down sooner. There is so many smart autos, why have they dumbed this one?

On traction control, there is a dip in a left hander near my place and every time I go through there unless I am really slow, the front right traction control comes on as the wheel drops in the dip. Instead of being able to corner the car essentially understeers, effectively putting my in the other lane. Its happened to my wife with kids on board and she drives very cautiously. The front traction control is way too sensitive. Rear is fine.