how to use auto transmission box correctly

[Bluedog16 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Bluedog16]

Hi,

I have a 2013 150 update diesel auto and want to know how to use the auto box when towing correctly.
I have searched (and some may say not well) here and online and looked in the Toyota manual but can't find the info I want.

I know that I need and wish to tow in 'S' mode namely S4.
However, I don't really still understand how this auto box works still.

If I move the gear stick from 'D' across to S mode I understand it usually goes into S4. Now, if I leave it there and slow down will it automatically change down to S3 then S2 and S1 and then automatically go up S2 to S3 to S4 as I increase speed again? In other words it still works as a 'normal auto box without my input?
Or do I need to manually move the gear stick myself each time from S4 to S3 etc when I slow down or speed up?
If there is a relevant thread that I missed please move this to it.
thanks
David

[fido666 Banned Find all posts View Profile Close fido666]

You need to manually select the gears in S mode David.

[MRW82 Member Find all posts View Profile Close MRW82]

Doesn't S mode lock out any gears higher than the one you have selected, but otherwise will shift as per normal automatic mode.

[Guest Close Guest]

If I move the gear stick from 'D' across to S mode I understand it usually goes into S4. Now, if I leave it there and slow down will it automatically change down to S3 then S2 and S1 and then automatically go up S2 to S3 to S4 as I increase speed again? In other words it still works as a 'normal auto box without my input?

Yes that's right.

[fido666 Banned Find all posts View Profile Close fido666]

Doesn't S mode lock out any gears higher than the one you have selected, but otherwise will shift as per normal automatic mode.

Have only used S mode off-road for steep descents (so down to S1 or S2) and found I had to shift it manually up again on the flats. I didn't realise it would automatically shift downwards from the higher S mode gears, have learned something new today then :-).

[Australian Member Find all posts View Profile Close Australian]

I'd be inclined to let the Auto box do all the work until I hit about 60 or 70km/h then I'd put it in S mode. It should be in 4th gear then and won't go into 5th.

[geoffmc1 Member Find all posts View Profile Close geoffmc1]

This is the one feature of the Prado I don't like. I prefer to have full manual control in Sports mode, like the ability to put my foot down and not have the box drop back one or two gear and scream it's head off.
My previous NT Paj had this same gearbox but with different software and it was full manual control in Sports. Really good in sand or mud.

Cheers
Geoff

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

You need to manually select the gears in S mode David.

I might be misunderstanding this, but I just slip it across to S mode, which selects S4 as the highest gear it available to the box and then drive it, no manual selecting of gears required . I still changes up and down like in D , just doesn `t create the slip in the torque convertor.
Engine revs up and down more instead of sitting around 2-2400rpm with the auto accelerating the car.

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

Aren't there 3 modes though? D for dumb, S for speshul and M for row the boat?

[geoffmc1 Member Find all posts View Profile Close geoffmc1]

I might be misunderstanding this, but I just slip it across to S mode, which selects S4 as the highest gear it available to the box and then drive it, no manual selecting of gears required . I still changes up and down like in D , just doesn `t create the slip in the torque convertor.
Engine revs up and down more instead of sitting around 2-2400rpm with the auto accelerating the car.

From what im led to believe, using S mode, whilst it does change gears up to the gear selected automatically, it changes the shiftpoints, holding gears longer. Still not a full manual box for my liking.

cheers
Geoff

[Riv39 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Riv39]

From what im led to believe, using S mode, whilst it does change gears up to the gear selected automatically, it changes the shiftpoints, holding gears longer. Still not a full manual box for my liking.

cheers
Geoff

Geoff
I reckon D holds gears longer particularly after having the software update to remove the hesitation at 2400rpm. The car drives better IMO when left in S mode and selecting 5th

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

Most Simply:
"S Mode" allows full tip-tronic control of the 5 speeds if you wish to change the gears yourself - bear in mind there's a little bit of lag, and you cant grab first unless you are under 1800is revs in 2nd.
You can also select any "S mode" gear and the box will automatically change up to and down from that gear as required. In my experience, it doesnt drop a gear when you mash your right foot. (If in "S mode" I am usually using the gearbox as a manual)

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

Always drive mine in 'S' mode, petrol model, so I can select a particular gear if needed ('4' for towing) or leave it in '5', or select a lower gear if needed, such as travelling down a steeper hill.

If travelling in '5', I can select a lower gear to accelerate, or just put the foot down in '5' and the engine will kick back a gear or two and take off.

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

X2..

Hutch- Prado 150 with some TJM Kit.

[r4ndll Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close r4ndll]

Aren't there 3 modes though? D for dumb, S for speshul and M for row the boat?

I thought it was D for Day Mode, and N for Night mode. No wonder I can't get anywhere after dark!