Prado S mode

Thanks Gronk
Just what I wanted to hear.
Cheers

Good question :-) I'm about to start driving an auto after having towed with a manual for years.

Just remember Wildmax that R is for reverse and not race.
Dave.

Also remember P is for Park and not for Pass

Rob

But what if you want to race in reverse?!

And D is for drive, not drag

Thanks Athol
Will have to try it out soon - just wasn't sure what I should try - I'm a bit like Wildmax - only driven manuals for umpteen years.
cheers
Kevin

RUK42
As you have indicated that this is your first auto, and it being a Prado, may I suggest that you look very closely at fitting an additional transmission cooler, and especially if your vehicle is a diesel (Prado diesels normally only have the oil to water cooler in the radiator whereas their petrol versions have both oil to water and oil to air coolers).

I would also suggest that the fitting of a Scangauge 2 (or similar) would be beneficial so that you can keep a check on the transmission temp, and drive (select the appropriate gear) to minimise the trans temps. By selecting the gear that will allow continued operation with the convertor clutch in 'lock up' mode then this will minimise the trans temps, and for every 10 degrees that you can reduce the trans temp you double its life. The main reason for Toyota recommending that you tow in S4 is to maintain the convertor in lock up mode thereby reducing trans temps.

Enjoy your drive with an auto, you will not go back to the old stick shift (been there, done that about 15 years ago).

Regards
Athol

Not sure about doubling the life with each 10C cooler running, sounds a bit far fetched, but the reduced temp will reduce the risk of premature failure and control overheating by the use of the cooler. They all wear out no matter how cool they run.

Running it 50 C cooler can't make the auto last to 2,500,000km instead of 500,000km

Where/How do people mount the Scangauge2? Will it fit with a bit of double sided tape on the steering column?
Any particular brand of transmission cooler?

The Scangauge 2 comes with some stick on velcro tape, and it is a matter of preference as to where yo fit it.You simply plug it into the OBD11 port which should be under the dash and then go through the fairly simple basic programming. You do need to programme in the codes for the transmission temp.

I would go to Repco or similar and purchase the largest cooler that they have with the 10mm or 3/8" outlets, and I would also purchase an extra 1 metre of hose. Whilst there are arguments as to which side of the radiator cooler it should be fitted either side will remove sufficient heat load from the system to have a marked effect on the operation of the entire cooling system when put to the test.

Regards
Athol