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Calif Bill

"JohnH" wrote in message
news

On Tue, 21 Oct 2008 10:04:52 -0700 (PDT), wrote:

On Oct 21, 12:50 pm, JohnH wrote:
On Tue, 21 Oct 2008 12:08:09 -0400, "Eisboch" wrote:

"JohnH" wrote in message
.. .

If I were to trade in my 4Runner for a new one, I'd go back to
manual,
even
if I had to buy a different breed. I like being able to shift when I
want
to. I don't like the auto dropping into another gear any time it
starts
climbing a hill, while towing. Using the cruise control, with an
automatic,
while towing is a waste. The damn thing is shifting continuously, so
cruise
control can't be used.

Yup, manual is the way to go.

Does the 4Runner have a "tow/haul" mode?

Virtually all the US manufactured trucks have it, including even the
little
Ranger I had.
The auto transmission in tow/haul mode will do a much better job of
selecting the proper gear for the load than a manual transmission.
Plus,
you have the benefit of the torque converter which will unlock under
load.
An added benefit, is that they change the gear shift points, reducing
the
potential of lugging the engine and causing serious damage. Finally,
they
also provide downshifts to provide engine braking while towing, saving
your
brakes.

A properly equipped truck with an auto is much better .... in fact the
tow
ratings are higher with an auto.

Eisboch

There is no 'tow/haul' mode that I know of. The book suggests towing in
4th
rather than overdrive. What I'm towing is not that heavy (3500lbs) that
the
V8 shouldn't be able to pull it in overdrive on the interstate. It's not
like there are any mountains between here and Chesapeake Bay or Virginia
Beach.

I'm comparing this to my GMC, a manual, which seemed to tow better.
Maybe I
should just leave it in 4th and forgetaboutit.
--
A Harry Krause truism:

"It's not a *baby* kicking, beautiful bride, it's just a fetus!"
[A Narcissistic Hypocrite]- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

My Jeep was like that, and I did exactly as you suggest, on the
interstate, I'd use the overdrive, suburban type of driving I
wouldn't. Worked fine.

I'm getting pretty good at picking up speed on the downgrade and letting
it
bleed off on the upgrade. Works pretty well, lets me stay in overdrive,
and
saves gas.

I just miss the manual tranny.
--
A Harry Krause truism:

"It's not a *baby* kicking, beautiful bride, it's just a fetus!"
[A Narcissistic Hypocrite]

I gave up towing with a standard tranny in 1968. Sucked towing a race car
trailer in 60 miles of stop and go traffic after leaving Laguna Seca
Raceway. Plus now towing boats, just put it in drive and the automatic
air-conditioning keeps me and wife at the desired temperature. In the
mountains I push the tow / haul mode as that lets the engine do the braking
on hills. Even my VW Rabbit commuter was tiring in morning rush hour. And
the fuel mileage difference in negligible with the newer locking torque
converters.