Auto tranny. What gear should I select for about town. I realize the tranny is intelligent (it's just I'm not), and I've been told just to leave it in drive. However, my instincts, and my late father's advice not to "lug" any engine, is pretty hard to shake. My motor is now broke in, but to date i've made a purposeful effort to use the gears the tranny has
I just leave mine in D. If I'm creeping in traffic, not going over 30, I'll drop it down to 4. Here's why:
I'm a Ford guy. Always have been. Ford's auto trannies are built differently. The Ford techs recommend that if you are driving under 50 MPH, hit the overdrive lockout button. This causes the trans to shift less, and the trans will last longer. I know Toyota is different, but the logic seems universal. Any Toyota techs wanna speak up?
__________________
2007 4X2 FJ, Black Diamond, "Frankenstein", AT5, with option 1 - bought 7/20/07, 2008 Side Visors, Passenger Arm Rest, OEM sliders, iPod Connection, 6" Bazooka Tube Subwoofer, Bandi Mount + 4 foot Fyrstik Antenna and Midland hand-held 40 Channel CB, factory bling plate, 2008 Trail Teams Edition factory front and rear suspension, side window vent visors....Oh, and 4 stickers rated at 10 RWHP each!
I leave it in D and let the tranny lug the engine at 1,100 rpms. That's the way it's designed, the VVT help in that area. I also have averaged just under 23 mpg for 17,500 miles so who am I second guess the engineers and the computers. I do however manual shift it whenever I want to keep it from shifting too much in hilly terrain or when I'm trying to compression brake (the best an auto can) going down steep inclines.
These are 2007-8 engines, transmissions and computers. They are light years ahead of the junk we drove in the 80's.
DEWFPO
__________________ 2007 FJ, 5AT, Sun Fusion Yellow, CQ, UP, GY, RB, 2Q, EL, VS.
"Wanted - young, skinny, wiry fellows, not over 18. Must be expert riders willing to risk death daily. Orphans preferred"
Original newspaper add placed by William Hepburn Russell, founder of the The Pony Express
I just leave mine in D. If I'm creeping in traffic, not going over 30, I'll drop it down to 4. Here's why:
I'm a Ford guy. Always have been. Ford's auto trannies are built differently. The Ford techs recommend that if you are driving under 50 MPH, hit the overdrive lockout button. This causes the trans to shift less, and the trans will last longer. I know Toyota is different, but the logic seems universal. Any Toyota techs wanna speak up?
i agree with your theory big guy.. lol you must be in the mountains also. it doesn't really matter if you are in the fj or a mini van. here i do have to sometimes (either vehicle) downshift to 4 or remove od, to keep them from lugging. and do a lot of downshifting on decent..
2007 FJ, 5AT, Sun Fusion Yellow, CQ, UP, GY, RB, 2Q, EL, VS.
"Enjoying the Journey"
Linear Mode
