D4D Towing and Fuel Economy

[keithrj Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close keithrj]

For those interested in fuel economy of the new D4D auto I recently did a holiday trip of about 2500km with a pop-top caravan of about 1400kgs and carrying about 60kgs of gear in the back. The trip breakdown is as follows:

ODO / Kms / Conditions / Economy (l/100kms)

2300 / 760 / With caravan / 14.8
3060 / 940 / Road (+-740kms) & sand (+-200kms) / 11.8
4000 / 900 / With caravan / 13.5

The interesting thing was the improved fuel economy with the caravan at the end of the holiday. I noticed that the Prado felt different for the last about 400kms where it was much happier staying in 5th gear and simply locking and unlocking the torque converter rather than changing to 4th gear. In the early stages the engine would change down more readily. I suspect that after about 4000kms the engine had bedded down nicely and was starting to perform better and maybe even 'learning' to tow better. Another thing I noticed was that when it changed down to 4th and then locked the torque converter it would NOT change back to 5th! To force the change I simply move the selector stick to 4 and then back to D and it immediately changed back to 5th.

The last 400kms had an even better fuel economy of about 13.2 l/100kms based on the figures from my ScanGaugeII. This section of road was quite hilly too so on the flat would have been even better.

All told, I am extremely happy with the fuel economy and performance of the vehicle. You hardly notice the caravan and there was plenty of power to pass other vehicles and at times we were over the speed limit without even noticing!

The only thing I was disappointed with was the cruise control which let the speed drop too far before reacting and then dropping to 4th to accelerate heavily to get the speed back thereby adding about 1 l/100kms to the fuel economy. I only used the cruise control for very short periods before deciding not to use it while towing in hilly terrain.

For those with the ScanGaugeII, I have the new one where you can display info from the trip meters as gauge items. This facility is great as I generally showed KMH and LHK on the top line and Today Distance and Today Fuel Economy on the bottom line. This setup gave a good spread of info.

[Steve & Sandra Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve & Sandra]

Fuel Use Manual D4D

The diesel is wonderful even when towing the power doesnt drop off and you can still round up road trains like its a V8.
This week we did 1230 kilometers on 120 litres, with about 250km towing a 12 x 8 loaded furniture trailer stop start driving.
The vehicle is only 2 weeks old with 1800kms on it so im hoping the economy gets better as the engine beds in.

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

Hi Steve & Sandra

Welcome to Pradopoint and congrats on your purchase of a great fourby.

I've PM'd you a list of a few local fourby stores that I've visited. They probably won't serve you if you mention that you know me. ops: :lol:

We'll also do our best to arrange a few trips to get you out and dirty :lol:

It makes me realize my age when kids that I once taught go out and buy Prados and come out on PP trips with us. :lol: :lol: :lol: Mind you that was a couple of years ago :shock: :roll: :roll:

Cheers
Chippy

[robn Member Find all posts View Profile Close robn]

Hi Steve and Sandra

I have a Manual D4D that i will pick up this Tuesday from the dealership.Is the Manual gear box smooth to drive.What are you thoughts.

by the way Welcom to PP

regards Rob

[Steve & Sandra Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve & Sandra]

Manual D4D

Maaaaaaate

We both love the prado, we fight over who is driving. hehe. the cook loses usually.
In answer to your question though the manual im am very impressed with.
we cant really fault the car mind you i wish the windows could wind up when you turn the engine off. you have to put the key back in.
The economy is brilliant.

Cant wait to get out and dirty.

[phil Member Find all posts View Profile Close phil]

My windows go up with the key out but won't if you open any door first.
I just towed race car (man d4d) and sat on 110kph cruise on 45 degrees over 1500k's and returned 14.25 k's to a litre.This also included 3 hours of sand dune driving without the trailer. Can also pass easy as up hill with loaded up trailer. Phil

[robn Member Find all posts View Profile Close robn]

Thanks for your quick reply.

In regards to the window issue im sure there is a post here or it may be on lcool forum site where you can have the windows positively powered so you can open and close them with out the keys in the ignition.You can even ask your auto electrician how it could be done.Use the search button above and see what comes up.Same with the lcool forum aswell

Regards Rob

[Handy Andy Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Handy Andy]

Re: D4D Towing and Fuel Economy

I noticed that the Prado felt different for the last about 400kms where it was much happier staying in 5th gear and simply locking and unlocking the torque converter rather than changing to 4th gear.

Agreed mate.

I haven't towed yet, but with it loaded up, it was significantly different at the end of a 10,000km trip.

From what I understand > the gearbox learns! Sounds weird, but you never know with modern electronics.

When I started out, the car had not encountered *any* significant hills. It was hunting: 5, 5OD, 4, 5, 5OD and then back again. After about 1,000 K's it was starting to behave itself - you could use the power *and* hold it in gear (5OD). Very different vehicle to drive. I imagine it is exactly like you describe.

For what it's worth considering I haven't owned an Auto since my first car - which was an XY 6 cyl with a BW35, this gearbox is incridedible. Mind you, I have driven some of the latest street stuff with autos.

Have you had the Prado downshift when you are on a descent with brakes applied (to assist)? Or hold it in gear (automatically) when you are backing off and going for the brakes? Most of the junk these days will just keep going for the higher gears until you have no engine braking.

A lot of people belive in 4WD + Auto - I reckon I am one of them

[keithrj Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close keithrj]

Handy Andy,

the Prado does downshift on a reasonably steep descent when the brakes are applied. The first time this happened I thought 'what is going on?' then I realised it was helping me out! The lower gear is held until the accelerator is pressed again.

I deliberately went for the auto for ease of 4WDriving as I am not going to do really serious stuff as I just want to get to places I would not be able to in an ordinary car or crossover vehicle. You can still choose the gear you want with the selector stick and use the 2nd start in sand if you want an easier start in the soft stuff.

Very happy so far and specially when I did a 4WD course and the manual guys were having some problems where we just cruised through!

[Steve & Sandra Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve & Sandra]

Hi Steve & Sandra

Welcome to Pradopoint and congrats on your purchase of a great fourby.

I've PM'd you a list of a few local fourby stores that I've visited. They probably won't serve you if you mention that you know me. ops: :lol:

We'll also do our best to arrange a few trips to get you out and dirty :lol:

It makes me realize my age when kids that I once taught go out and buy Prados and come out on PP trips with us. :lol: :lol: :lol: Mind you that was a couple of years ago :shock: :roll: :roll:

Cheers
Chippy

It has been more than a couple of years, it would be around 16 years im guessing. I bet the grey is starting to show hey. You cant give me detention any more hahahahahah.
we are looking forward to getting out and dirty, im meant to be out shopping for goodies this morning, I cant seem to turn this computer off this pradopoint is catching isnt it.

Cheers

S & S