auto manual transmision

milo · Guru

auto manual transmision

Cupie · Guru

The advice that I have constanrtly received is that when going down long hills (ranges), change from Auto to say second as you would with a manual.

I have a manual & when coming down ranges I change down to the same gear that I would probably use on the way up. I get into the truck lane & if possible get in behind a semi & stay there. Usually just have to use the breaks to check the speed occasionally. I monitor the engine revs & try to keep them at the usual 2000RPM. Still using the original van break pads after >150,000Km & get around 100,000Kms out of the Patrol pads. I use a similar approach even when not pulling the van.

I'll leave it to others to comment on what gear to use for general towing.

-- Edited by Cupie on Monday 22nd of August 2011 08:17:54 AM

-- Edited by Cupie on Monday 22nd of August 2011 08:19:39 AM

justcruisin01 · Guru

Regardless of auto or manual you should be using the gears to slow you when going down hills, NOT using the brakes all the time as this can over heat brakes which inturn can cause brake failure due to the boiling of the fluid. Not to mention the excessive wear factor, Cupie is on the money with this one.

bill12 · Guru

Well , thats a bit hard as most automatic don,t have a locked trany , unlike manuals, and you Have to use the brakes going down hill. I would love a auto in my HJ, as I am lazy and don,t like changing gears.Being smooth in changing gears is an aquired art, and its done for you in a good auto tranny.I , for one , would like one. Bill

-- Edited by bill12 on Monday 22nd of August 2011 07:05:50 PM

davkar · Senior Member

The short answer is yes you should use gears going down hill on any transmission, There should be a section in your owners manual to explain this function and usage.
Regards

jimricho · Guru

On Thunderbolts Way (Inverell to Gloucester via Walcha) there's a long steep descent between Nowendoc and Gloucester that's is clearly signposted that all vehicles use "low gear". The sign also clearly states in large black on yellow background "Automatics Too"

Failure to do heed this warning is just plain bad driving.

gold dandelion · Senior Member

i go out of overdrive if up a slight incline or into the wind, if you have overdrive. try peddling a bike in those conditions in top gear.

ken thomas · Guru

Try going up the Adelaide hills with a Prado auto, and towing a van 400 kg overweight.
not a good experience.
Ken

Cruising Granny · Guru

I NEVER used 5th gear when towing the van. That's NEVER!!!
Then I use gears up and down hills, and maybe tweak the van brakes a little to give me a bit more pull up.
I'm not a fan of auto transmissions. I still like to drive my vehicle. It's not an armchair with a motor.
It's been a long time since I've needed to replace the brake pads of any vehicle I've had since 1998.
I'd say my method is working.
For instance, when I took delivery of this van in Nowra I didn't have electric brakes fitted, and towed it all the way home to Broome on gears only. The van didn't look like passing me once.
Perhaps some of these driving techniques come down to experience and wisdom. Some of us seem to have more of these than others.

jonathan · Guru

Hi Milo ..

Having the same base vehicle as you ..

.. running around about town or slow travelling in built-up areas, I do leave it in the "auto" selection.

Out on the open road and when able to travel at my comfortable speed of about 85 - 90 kph I do travel in the "manual" selection with the "cruise-control" engaged and sitting in top gear (6th) with the engine ticking over just under 2000 rpm ..

You should find that the torque will quite easily allow you to cruise up and down most of the light climbs you find, and with little need to make any heavy adjustments .. if you are sitting in "auto", you will, most likely, find that wind as well as the slope will cause your "auto" to drop back to 5th or even 4th.

Travelling down steep hills, simply slow down before hand, and engage a low gear (in manual) thats appropriate .. remember though Milo, when you're travelling downhill in maybe gears 1 or 2, that you keep your vehicle speed slow, and relative to the gear your travelling in .. allowing the engine to over- rev will only cause you problems.

I chose to have electric brakes on my small trailer .. thats a great benefit as the extra braking really does improve the braking capacity .. but if you find that you've got your foot-brake on hard all the time to stop the vehicle from getting away from you, then slooooow right down .. very slow .. so that you will only need to brake periodically as necessary ..

Trial and error Milo .. try a few small hills away from a main road .. 'til you feel comfortable ..

Jon