2013 150 series prado towing and auto trans

alan - elly · Member

2013 150 series prado towing and auto trans

Ron-D · Guru

With my tug I change the ATL at half the recommended service intervals,my vehicle used to go into limp mode when climbing severe hilly country in heat wave conditions. The oil cooler is very important but changing the oil and the filter more regularly is more important in my view

patrol03 · Senior Member

Most modern auto trans units are 'sealed' but I believe if you are going to tow anything over 1.5t then your unit should be serviced on a shorter schedule than is recommended.The mere fact that most transmissions use the radiator for cooling is an indication that under normal service the unit would be running at about 90c most of the time but when the vehicle works harder and the engine temp rises to 100c plus, so does the AT fluid,and it is the friction of the clutches and bands that burn and or discolour the fluid,and it begins to degenerate. AT fluid gets a really burnt smell if it is overworked.I personally change mine annually on my Y62,but it has an independent trans cooler and the fluid doesn't go through the radiator,so consequently the fluid runs through a heater to get it to operating temperature quickly then the independent cooler keeps it at an even temperature while on the road.All my previous tow vehicles, Holdens and Patrols have always had supplementary coolers fitted,and been serviced well before recommended times,band adjustment made if appropriate and filters changed. I would not hesitate in fitting an extra cooler to a 2013 Prado as the minor cost is good insurance cp cost of a reco AT unit and a cooked diesel engine. If you fit it yourself remember the cooler is fitted to the fluid return side and the fluid will need to be topped up also.

Stephcott · Member

I have a 2013 Prado and tow a 2000kg caravan, have often thought about an extra cooler but in thousands of kms towing have never had an issue. The main thing is make sure your weights are right plus always tow in the correct gear so as your not overloading the engine.
Phil

macka17 · Guru

A transm cooler on ALL vehicles is a good idea if you going to tow.
Lower Temp's. with fresh ooil = longer transm life.

As well as a cylindrical \finned cooler on mine.
I also bought a Wholesale Automatics Torque Converter lock up system.
Around $475 del for D.Max. Can install yourself.
Me with bad neck
Paid sparky $100 cash to do it for me.

Yours would be the same'ish.

Really makes a difference. Locks in all gears. holds on downhill.
Just remember to turn off sw on dash. When at lights.
It'll stall your Auto transm. with some 'orrible noises.

2 ton van Dual axle Full height.
Transm temp's notably cooler.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Auto's are not exactly sealed . The newer auto's just don't have dip or filler tubes . They are filled like gear boxes . To add a cooler ? It's just attached to ATF cooling lines . Sealed or not a cooler can easy be fitted ..

patrol03 · Senior Member

If you read my post AK, the word sealed was in inverted commas,and yes a cooling condenser can be easily fitted,but they are not all filled like gearboxes. Many now have an extra plug in the pan which is provision for an adapter to be fitted to allow fluid to be pumped in.The level of fluid in modern "sealed " AT units can also be critical and it is recommended by some manufacturers that the level be correct at a given temperature. Like engines, our epicyclic units are now Hi Tech and adherence to makers specs is very important if the unit is to last the life of the vehicle as they claim it will under normal usage. Put a caravan on the back and it's a new ballgame meaning extra servicing and perhaps extra cooling.

PeterD · Guru

alan - elly wrote:

reading previous blogs the Prado seems to have a problem getting up hills ,has anyone got any good news for me , my model does

There are a lot out there that think that if an auto box drops into a gear lower than top gear (the direct drive one) their vehicle is not performing well. Most vehicles don't climb the hills in top gear when they are loaded to their maximum weight. You just have to be content with climbing hills a little slower than you would if you had a Toyota 200 series. The only time I consider I have a problem is if I am down in first gear and I don't think I will make it to the top (has not happened since the days of my Nissan E20.) Be content that it will take you an extra minute or two to breast the hill, you will probably catch up to those who have overtaken you when they encounter some traffic ahead.

Regarding gearbox heat, when you are climbing hills manually shift the gears. When the motor is running below 2500 rpm your torque converter is doing a lot of work, it is thus producing copious quantities of heat. When the motor is running at over 3000 rpm the torque converter is virtually hydraulically locked up and not doing much work, it will thus produce far less heat. The first time I noticed this was when climbing the Gibraltar Range in 2nd gear at a bit over 2000 rpm. The gearbox light came on. I pulled the box back into 1st gear and the light went out in a few hundred metres. I was also using a little less throttle to maintain my speed in 1st gear.

Learn to handle an auto box properly and it will save you heaps in not having to add an additional oil cooler. Also if you have a viscous fan (and not an electric one) the higher engine revs will give a much better air flow to the motor.

ps. Alan, at tip, next time you copy and paste just copy the text, not the whole lot.

macka17 · Guru

Above. Slippage.

Converter slippage causes the Overheating.
Some go up to horrible temp's AND down again.

Unfortunately those high spots. if often or high enough.
"cook" the transm fluid.
Eventually by-by Transm.

Hence the Lock up units avail. they STOP the slippage.
Hence cooler converter\transm.
Extra in line coolers just help more. and at around $100
plus a bit of tubing. Cheap insurance.
ALSO. It gives you access point to tap into fluid line and "flush" complete system,
not just drain the pan.
ONLY use Lock up, while towing and turn off when in traffic.
It WILL stall your motor if stopped.
Some. Like my D-Max. 4 spd. Will hunt near top of some hills
3\4\3\4. etc. This fixed it. AND gives the better economy too.

Murraman · Senior Member

PeterD wrote:
alan - elly wrote:

reading previous blogs the Prado seems to have a problem getting up hills ,has anyone got any good news for me , my model does
I pulled the box back into 1st gear and the light went out in a few hundred metres. I was also using a little less throttle to maintain my speed in 1st gear.
Learn to handle an auto box properly and it will save you heaps in not having to add an additional oil cooler. Also if you have a viscous fan (and not an electric one) the higher engine revs will give a much better air flow to the motor.

I have always used this principle of being in a lower gear, Which as you say requires less throttle. I did this when towing a van with a VN commodore and even back as far as when I had a HD holden with a van. It surprises me how many people think that a higher gear is better for fuel economy. Fuel economy is how far the right pedal is pressed to the floor not what gear you are in. I agree that 3000 rpm would be far better up a hill then 2000. My Coaster crawls up hills but never overheats I just enjoy the slow ride. Maybe a bit off topic re auto BTW I had seperate coolers on both autos. Cheers Allan