how to use auto transmission box correctly

[fido666 Banned Find all posts View Profile Close fido666]

Geoff
I reckon D holds gears longer particularly after having the software update to remove the hesitation at 2400rpm.

Was this just a diesel thing? I asked my dealer about software updates for the ECU and he said there were none.

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

Nearly all the comments here have a bit of truth. S mode does hold a few more revs, it is still a full auto mode, it often goes to S4 but can go to S3, the only thing manual about it you tell the box the maximum gear you want it to use, you can slip it into S mode and then forward once or twice to get S5 and let it drive with a few more revs and less rattle. Yes it would be very nice if it was a manual mode, particularly in Low Range. It can hold a few to many revs when accelerating when towing in S mode and I often do take off in Auto and then go to S4 when it gets to 4th. Finally it also changes the torque & power settings it locks the torque converter at. Definitely S4 for towing weights, don't listen to anyone who says they are saving fuel using 5th. They are than likely not and they are killing the auto and not doing the engine any good. In Low Range in the bush I always go up in Auto and down in S Mode because it revs to much going up in S Mode and you have no control going down in Auto.

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

Was this just a diesel thing? I asked my dealer about software updates for the ECU and he said there were none.

Yes, just a diesel issue

[snapper49 Member Find all posts View Profile Close snapper49]

barajak is the only one who has it correct apart from myself who would have posted exactly the same

[Kev7762 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Kev7762]

Agreed when moving from D for drag to Sport mode it will shift back to 4th, you can then manually select S5 and it will shift to 5th. Sport mode will lock off all gears above that selected, it also changes the shift points for gears and converter lockup, holding each a little higher in the rev range.
Sport mode also allows you some control over manually selecting gears, the auto will however not let you select a gear unless the revs are appropriate and in low range will not shift up until the revs are quite high.
When towing, as per the manual, select S4 , many will tell you they have never had an issue, however as I said in another thread, it won't happen immediately but it will happen a lot sooner than if you use S4

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

All those who keep claiming S mode changes the torque converter lockup please explain?

I'm pretty sure both S and D are the same with the exception of altered shift points relative to accelerator position, much like the old ECO/POWER button in the old 4-Speed Falcons (and my old 2009 Patrol!) And of course to you set the limit of how far up to change.

The only reason Toyota and most other manufacturers suggest towing in S mode is to prevent you towing in overdrive which is 5th, 4th is 1:1 ratio and ideal for strength, economy and stress on the cooling system.

[greens Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close greens]

I own a 2010 Prado Kakadu turbo diesel and have experienced the transmission fluid high temp warning light coming on when towing uphill on a twisting road (slow travel speed). My mechanic advised to select a lower gear and keep the revs around 2400 to get more effective cooling to the fluid (done using S mode and essentially making it a manual). This seems to work OK but I am not satisfied that it should be necessary.
Other feedback tells me Toyota have a fix for this - they change the temp setting at which the warning light comes on (done via a computer at the dealership for $120). Again, I am not sure this is a good thing (nothing fixed; transmission fluid simply runs hotter).
The question is, do I bother with the mod by Toyota or drive it keeping the revs higher?
Feedback would be appreciated.

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

I own a 2010 Prado Kakadu turbo diesel and have experienced the transmission fluid high temp warning light coming on when towing uphill on a twisting road (slow travel speed). My mechanic advised to select a lower gear and keep the revs around 2400 to get more effective cooling to the fluid (done using S mode and essentially making it a manual). This seems to work OK but I am not satisfied that it should be necessary.
Other feedback tells me Toyota have a fix for this - they change the temp setting at which the warning light comes on (done via a computer at the dealership for $120). Again, I am not sure this is a good thing (nothing fixed; transmission fluid simply runs hotter).
The question is, do I bother with the mod by Toyota or drive it keeping the revs higher?
Feedback would be appreciated.

Drive with the higher revs. The upgrade does stop the light coming on and does not cost anything, you were mislead with the $120. When towing uphill you should use manual control of the gears to keep the revs up as the auto is heavily biased to low revs. Your mechanic was spot on with the advice for this.

[greens Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close greens]

Thanks Barajak - are you able to advise where the mod is done for free (I was told since the car is out of warranty it will cost!!)

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

Barajak, from my experience AFTER the 2400rpm hesitation firmware update has been applied, whilst in D the auto is no longer heavily biased to low revs particularly in metro areas at lower speeds (e.g. it holds fourth until 60km/h). In fact S mode is now more biased to low revs than D in metro areas at lower speeds.

That said I agree with selecting S4 for towing heavy loads at lower speeds or on any gradient.

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

Thanks Barajak - are you able to advise where the mod is done for free (I was told since the car is out of warranty it will cost!!)

Rubbish, it's a known issue like other firmware updates and they have to do it for free.

Not sure who your local dealer is but pretty sure Windsor Toyota would help you out next time you are down in Sydney. Give them a call before the next trip down and ask them. You could also try Castle Hill Toyota if you have no luck with Windsor as they have always looked after me.

At the end of the day if they all give you grief take it to NSW Fair Trading.

[drew_1 Find all posts View Profile Close drew_1]

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

bwahahahaha!

[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

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)

Quite funny all these different replies.
Maybe Toyota customised the boxes for you all lol......

I don't own one, I only drive customers, & what I have found is what spilsy says is accurate.
If you just go to 4 it may act like an auto 4 speed. Once you select gears manually it will allow you to hold it, BUT it does have an override if you push it hard in high gears, or if you stop & try & take off in other than 1st.

There's my experience, but will agree there are different explanations/experiences I have other 150 owners who don't agree with me lol.....

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

S mode seems to give full engine braking in the lower gears, very useful in low range when going down a steep hill. In D it will just slip into a higher gear when you lift off.