Automatic engine braking?

[William Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close William]

Had an interesting experience today in the Prado. I was driving down a particularly long and steep hill (Blackburn Road, VIC for those familiar) and while going down the hill, the car infront of me began to brake so he/she wouldn't exceed the speed limit. So I applied my brakes slightly and the prado dropped a gear :shock: from 5th to 4th or 3rd? There was a noticable jerk as it shifted down and after I removed my foot from the brake, the prado continued to engine brake down the hill. The prado was in "D". I've never had this happen in any cars I've owned (and I've owned HEAPS), however this is my first diesel.... So I guess this begs the question: Is this a diesel thing?

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

Re: Automatic engine braking?

My current Prado, 2009 120 series D4D does the same thing. I never noticed it with my 2005 Prado (also a diesel). So i guess it is a relatively recent feature, and a useful one to i think.

Cheers Andrew

[meminiau Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close meminiau]

Re: Automatic engine braking?

I asked a similar question just the other day.
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=11129

[William Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close William]

Re: Automatic engine braking?

I asked a similar question just the other day.
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=11129

Thanks for that meminiau, I followed your link to the original: http://www.pradopoint.com/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=2944
I suppose this confirms it for the 150 too then

I quite like the "feature". I'm not one to ride the brakes for a prolonged period either.

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

Re: Automatic engine braking?

On the crest of a big downhill I flip my transmission lever from D to 4, kicks in the engine braking. Very useful in the bush.

[MJM Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close MJM]

Re: Automatic engine braking?

We got a surprise when we first drove our 2008 Yaris auto sedan (auto) when it did the same thing.

[meminiau Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close meminiau]

Re: Automatic engine braking?

I asked a similar question just the other day.
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=11129

Thanks for that meminiau, I followed your link to the original: http://www.pradopoint.com/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=2944
I suppose this confirms it for the 150 too then

I quite like the "feature". I'm not one to ride the brakes for a prolonged period either.

You know, I didn't realise you were a 150 series owner... my bad.

But I suppose this feature must be something that they have used on both series. Quite a useful feature.

[lael60 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close lael60]

Re: Automatic engine braking?

Engine braking
Good once you get used to it.
1 small push on pedal it drops to 4th
Another small push drops to 3rd, I think.
To release it if you think its holding on too long, shift to "S" 4 then back to "D" and it disconnects.

Leighland
Melb

[Mongoose Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Mongoose]

Re: Automatic engine braking?

Hi William,

Let me guess - you were heading south down Blackburn Road under the footbridge near Waverley Private Hospital. I live close by and still remember the bowel movement incurred the first time I touched the brakes going down that hill at 60K.

Its your DAC kicking in - so called because it makes you Cack ya DACs....

Cheers,

Rohan.

[William Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close William]

Re: Automatic engine braking?

Hi William,

Let me guess - you were heading south down Blackburn Road under the footbridge near Waverley Private Hospital. I live close by and still remember the bowel movement incurred the first time I touched the brakes going down that hill at 60K.

Its your DAC kicking in - so called because it makes you Cack ya DACs....

Cheers,

Rohan.

Yep that's the hill I'm talking about. It's the DAC? I thought you had to turn it on for it to work?

[Corigator Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Corigator]

Re: Automatic engine braking?

I suspect its on all Toyota Autos now. It was on my 98 Magna, so its not that innovative.

The easiest way to get it to change back up is to quickly slip it down a gear from drive and then back up, and it will revert to top gear.