Auto transmission and towing

[Julian Kaye Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Julian Kaye]

Hi Prado Owners,
Apologies if this has been discussed before. I have a 2014 GX 150, D4D with auto transmission. I've got the car pretty well set up for outback touring, including a PWR transmission cooler. I've got a hybrid camper being built which I expect will weigh in gross at about 2100-2200kg. Love the car but haven't towed with it yet, question is this, what combination of gear selection and speeds do most people use? Appreciate any input.

[Brougham Member Find all posts View Profile Close Brougham]

Auto transmission and towing

Always tow in sports mode, 4th gear. Higher revs but lower temps and lower trans temps too. Also better economy too weirdly enough.


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

Has anyone towed much with the new six speed yet? I think 5th and 6th are both over drives? Can you hold it in 4th easily? Boat is not that heavy (1500kgs dry) but still want to get it right when towing. New 2.8 is on order now....

[GEEEXL Member Find all posts View Profile Close GEEEXL]

Has anyone towed much with the new six speed yet? I think 5th and 6th are both over drives? Can you hold it in 4th easily? Boat is not that heavy (1500kgs dry) but still want to get it right when towing. New 2.8 is on order now....

R.T.F.M.

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

We have towed a 2.5 tonne boat with a diesel prado. I always tow in S4 when under load, but down hill or on gentle downslope straight stretches, I tow in S5, and quickly put it back to S4 when you need to go up a slight incline etc...never had a transmission get hot and don't have an aftermarket transmission cooler.

S4 is what the book says to use when towing

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

R.T.F.M.

We try to be a bit more helpful than that on this forum and also try to keep the language civil.

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

Definitely always use 4th for towing

Many on the forum would strongly advice fitting a transmission oil cooler, it makes a huge difference above the standard cooler and is the key thing that will keep your tranny healthy. (And it's not mention in the manual). There is a great kit that someone has made for fitting a Craig Davies cooler, its a really simple job.

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

Thanks Krypto and brogers, not so much GEEEXL

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

I know we live in a hot country but I am a tad dissapointed to hear that despite the admission price the transmission could suffer if I tow without forking out for a transmission oil cooler.

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

I know we live in a hot country but I am a tad dissapointed to hear that despite the admission price the transmission could suffer if I tow without forking out for a transmission oil cooler.

All car companies do a cost benefit analysis on what they will and won't provide. In this case of the millions of Prados sold only a small percentage do hard long distance towing in hot conditions, so its designed for the median expectation.

Should be okay if you stick to towing in 4th. I'm planing to keep my Prado for a long time so have done a few things as precautions; transmission cooler and added oil filter.

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

We try to be a bit more helpful than that on this forum and also try to keep the language civil.

Couldn't agree more Steve if theres one thing sure to put some one off participating on a forum it's some one demeaning them , there's really no such thing as a stupid question .................

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

This one of the best forums that I participate in, people are genuinely helpful and there's a lot of great knowledge. Also on a personal note pretty sick of the way the f word gets thrown around these days, whether you're om a forum, in a shop or restaurant or airplane, especially notice it when I'm out with my young kids.

[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

Always tow in sports mode, 4th gear. Higher revs but lower temps and lower trans temps too. Also better economy too weirdly enough.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

We have towed a 2.5 tonne boat with a diesel prado. I always tow in S4 when under load, but down hill or on gentle downslope straight stretches, I tow in S5, and quickly put it back to S4 when you need to go up a slight incline etc...never had a transmission get hot and don't have an aftermarket transmission cooler.

S4 is what the book says to use when towing

These 2 guys ^ r in the know! Great stuff.

I know we live in a hot country but I am a tad dissapointed to hear that despite the admission price the transmission could suffer if I tow without forking out for a transmission oil cooler.

You don't need an auto cooler.

[GEEEXL Member Find all posts View Profile Close GEEEXL]

have to say I'm a bit shocked at how Sensitive New Age you guys are . . .

Firstly people need to take responsibility when seeking the correct answer to important question like the one posed above really needs to be taken a bit more serious than random internet folk. If the OP was advised and believed everything on the web they would be fairly exposed to misinformation. What are you going to say, "sorry Mr Toyota I did not read your manual for my specific year and model, I just trusted a forum. Will you honor my warrant anyways?".

Secondly I agree unequivocally there are no stupid questions, but there are plenty of questions asked in stupid places and times.

Thirdly this forum has a search function to prevent repetition of common posts. These such function keep topic material interesting rather than continuous repetition.

I think its time for a group hug

G

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

Lots of discussions on this forum are the same thing discussed in different ways, keeps the discussion going and pretty entertaining with some of the more humorous participants.