Auto transmission and towing

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

FYI, page 193 (trailer towing tips) of my user manual (2015 2.8 TD) states:

In order to maintain efficient engine braking and electrical charging performance, do not use 6th gear (manual) or overdrive (automatic). On vehicles with automatic transmission: If in the M mode, the transmission shift range position must be in 4 or lower.

[RedSea Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close RedSea]

With the comments about transmission temperatures, torque lock, etc and then someone saying "read the manual" (which I had) I figured I must have missed something. But no, page 192 (trailer towing tips) of my owner's manual (late 2014 150) has the same sentences - which to me mention things a bit to one side of the effects of towing on the transmission itself. In the basic towing guide booklet there is no advice on transmission use at all.
I tow a hybrid van of about 2t all up & on the bitumen have generally let the vehicle work out for itself the best gear for the conditions. I'll pay more attention next time I'm out.

[Limo Guy Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Limo Guy]

In the 2010 manual page 296 it states:
In order to maintain efficient engine braking and electrical charging performance do not use 6th gear (manual) or overdrive (automatic)
On vehicles with an automatic transmission: Transmission shift range position must be in 4, in S mode.

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

With the comments about transmission temperatures, torque lock, etc and then someone saying "read the manual" (which I had) I figured I must have missed something. But no, page 192 (trailer towing tips) of my owner's manual (late 2014 150) has the same sentences - which to me mention things a bit to one side of the effects of towing on the transmission itself. In the basic towing guide booklet there is no advice on transmission use at all.
I tow a hybrid van of about 2t all up & on the bitumen have generally let the vehicle work out for itself the best gear for the conditions. I'll pay more attention next time I'm out.

Yes call me lazy and I wont deny it but there's 2 main reasons I avoid the manual if possible one is the sheer volume of gobbledegook which is mostly contradictory and the 2nd is you just cant beat first hand experience add to that Toyo themselves dont know near enough about their own cars so no I'll stick to asking P/P it's a lot safer and cheaper, so another big thank you to you all yet again,
cheers,
Danda

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

For some things it's worth checking the manual. Came across a guy up North towing a caravan with a new Jeep who had cooked his gearbox, I suggested we look at the manual where it had clear instructions for towing

I know it goes against normal male behaviour but for a 60k plus investment it's worth having at least a brief look at the manual when you get it.

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

My 2013 150 instruction manual is very clear S4 for toeing, no faster than 100k.


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[Brougham Member Find all posts View Profile Close Brougham]

The 100k/HR towing is the legal limit anyway. Quite a few people get booked in holiday seasons here in WA for doing the road speed limit of 110km towing


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

For some things it's worth checking the manual. Came across a guy up North towing a caravan with a new Jeep who had cooked his gearbox, I suggested we look at the manual where it had clear instructions for towing

I know it goes against normal male behaviour but for a 60k plus investment it's worth having at least a brief look at the manual when you get it.

Not just when you first get the vehicle but more often. I dig it out whenever I need to do something to the car just in case there are some good clues about how to achieve.

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

I learn't along time ago that "When all else fails read the instructions" usually means it's too late and has just gotten very expensive, so I do the same as OGF because I'm always finding something new to check out.