Manual or Automatic...

[a787100 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close a787100]

I owned a Prado 150 but it had DPF issues and I traded it in for a Hilux. But I really hate the Hilux now and so I'm going back to the Prado but this time with the DPF switch.

The question I have is whether I buy a manual or auto.

I have only ever driven manuals.

The thing that puts me off auto is the problems of running temps in the auto box and any potential issues with it compared to a manual.

While I live in Sydney I'm moving out far west in the new year and the idea of a car that doesn't cope in the outback isn't so appealing....what are people's thoughts on their transmissions?

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

Larger transmission cooler and use a scan gauge to monitor the atf temps and drive to it or back off if you have to or change gears to lower temps

[a787100 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close a787100]

Thanks Gurilla. Because I have to respond to emergencies, that wouldn't work for me. I decided to go with a manual that might be more painful to drive in the city, but at least wherever I go I won't have to worry about atf temps. Quite a few people have reported higher temps and that was enough to put me off. Thank you for responding!

[tempestv8 Member Find all posts View Profile Close tempestv8]

I would have thought that transmission temperatures only really become a concern when towing. Or very long stretches of uphill ascents. But when driving normally, even in offroad conditions, the automatic transmission would not get overheated easily.

[rascal Member Find all posts View Profile Close rascal]

I would have thought that transmission temperatures only really become a concern when towing. Or very long stretches of uphill ascents. But when driving normally, even in offroad conditions, the automatic transmission would not get overheated easily.

Actually I find my temps are surprisingly high just putting around town, Compared to towing a heavy trailer on the highway, as around town the auto is almost always unlocked.
even light throttle in stop star traffic gets it moving upwards surprisingly fast.