[Biggish]

Shooie, what a detailed post Gerrit!
Your understanding of things technical and your ability to articulate that understanding in writing is awesome.

Regards
Bruce

[paw_by_paw]

Must agree Gerrit your knowledge stretch far beyond what I can even immagine.
All said it was nice to read and also very informative and certainly food for thought.
Thanks

[Bigwill]

Yes I also agree Gerrit has the knowledge and the ability to put across the engineering facts in an outstanding way. I cannot disagree with what he says. Read him carefully and you will note that he uses 5th gear whenever he feels the engine is at the right revs and the load is not excessive. He also explains how well the entire box is designed for all secondary gears. Certainly Mits made sure that all gears can handle the maximum torque that the engine will ever produce at any revs for any time duration. I also say that if the road becomes heavy and the engine revs drop below a certain point, do change down to save the engine from low rev vibrations etc. But please don't select fourth and run al the way to Namibia that way. You are causing wear to the engine which is much greater than the minimal wear you are putting on the fifth gear cogs. Furthermore you are running up the fuel bill unnecessarily. I just don’t agree with the blanket statement that says tow in fourth gear regardless.

[4ePikanini]

I haven't towed anything heavy but this is why I like the auto. The ecu sorts everything out for you. Just don't use full throttle all the time and let the auto do its thing.

I agree with the comfortable statements. Every car has a range where you feel its comfortable. Just keep it there be it 5th, 4th, 3rd or whatever.

[Bigwill]

The ecu sorts everything out for you. Just don't use full throttle all the time and let the auto do its thing.

I agree with the comfortable statements. Every car has a range where you feel its comfortable. Just keep it there be it 5th, 4th, 3rd or whatever.

Absolutely! So we are all saying the same thing only with different emphasis here and there. I totally agree with your statement that the auto ecu will sort it all out. I tow in Drive and leave it all up to the ecu. (with minor exceptions such as down decents etc.) With the foot flat I find she changes down well before the driver even realises it is necessary.

Electronics can be magic when correctly programmed as with the PajZERO.

[cloyd]

Gerrit,

Dankie, vir die eerste keer verstaan ek die detail van verkieslik sleep in vierde rat pleks van vyfde. Ek glo nie daar is nog iemand is wat twyfel oor die saak nie. Uitstekende verduideliking.

Cloyd.

[cloyd]

Gerrit,

Mostert na die maal, maar wat is jou siening (en verduideliking) vir sleep met 'n automatiese ratkas - 2004 3,8 GLS.

Cloyd.

[RoelfleRoux]

Cloyd,

Like 4ePikanini explained, allow the ECU to make that decision. As long as the selector is in D, the computer will not allow the engine to labour or allow the box to take too much torque on the 5th gear. Use the manual tip-tronic mode if engine braking is required down steep hills. If the road is very undulating and the box is constantly swapping cogs between 4th and 5th, then I would consider sticking it in 4th until the road flattens out again.

This is how I use my box, but I'm sure the clever guys here will correct me soon enough if I'm wrong.

Roelf

[4ePikanini]

Cloyd,

Like 4ePikanini explained, allow the ECU to make that decision. As long as the selector is in D, the computer will not allow the engine to labour or allow the box to take too much torque on the 5th gear. Use the manual tip-tronic mode if engine braking is required down steep hills. If the road is very undulating and the box is constantly swapping cogs between 4th and 5th, then I would consider sticking it in 4th until the road flattens out again.

This is how I use my box, but I'm sure the clever guys here will correct me soon enough if I'm wrong.

Roelf

exactly how I drive without having anything to tow. I'm sure I'll do the same when towing.

Another thing nobody hasn't touched on is the importance of good oils in the diff and gearbox. If you are going to be towing you must be sure the diffs and gearbox (especially auto) is at the right level with uncontaminated, unburnt, good condition oil. If not then start saying a slow goodbye.

[bold4E]

Hi Gerrit,

At last. Only now, after all these years of towing and different meanings I heard the real reason for towing or not towing in 5th gear.

If I understand you correct, you are saying that it is better not to use 5th gear but if you do use 5th gear you must make sure that the engine is not "suffering".

I like to tow in 5th gear but will use it selectively on level roads and no wind from the side or front only.

Forgive me if I understood you wrong. Will read through you post a few more time to try and work out everething.

Thanks for a great post.


Waldo Fourie