Key start downhill

The Key start downhill forward or reverse is the only real safe way to start a 4WD on a steep hill. it involves starting the vehicle in gear which negates the need to match clutch out and revs against engine torque and speed/revs. with the new Prado i believe this is impossible, without some un warranted modification

I'm not sure what you mean by "good old days", my current model Triton manual will jump start just fine, as will 99% of today's manual vehicles.

The odd ones like V64 has quoted are the exception to the rule.

Oops, like jendav quoted that should read.

Have another glass of red Neil, lol.

Clutch pedal switch needs to be bypassed/bridged. However, this will also upset your cruise control operation.

Suggest a length of wire and a you beaut toggle switch. I have actually done this mod on a mate's Prado for the reasons stated by jendav.

Really easy and totally reversible. Just be careful when in cruise control mode not to have the toggle switch off, because touching the clutch pedal WILL NOT disengage the cruise control, and make your engine revs increase.

Can scribble up a basic wiring diagram for you if you care to email me on fabandsonja@hotmail.com

Thanks Fab72

Its interesting that Toyota would put such a mechanism in place considering they are one of the top 4WD manufacturers in the world. I wonder if the sales people at Toyota dealers are up to date with this unfortunate feature and explain it fully to buyers who intend to use the vehicle in steep off road environments. Are there people out there who have bought this vehicle, not really being aware of this problem

What do the drivers of auto's do?

Shane

Hi Shane
Drivers of Autos do this
1. ease of accelerator
2. apply foot brake
3. select Nuetral
4. apply handbrake
5. ease of footbrake and ensure handbrake holds..... if it doesnt dont do the next step... if it does ....do the next step
6. select park.

Always stop your auto this way on a hill... To start off again... do it as normal start.

Dave.

Jendav,
My mate quizzed the city slicker salesman about this feature and was told that key hill starts were not required anymore because of the you beaut traction control system which incorporated active hill decent/accent.

Unfortunatley, the sales guy "sold" the feature so well, my mate acually believed what he was being told. And with no sandy or muddy hills around to test it, he had to take the "experts" word on it.

Never having a car with this feature before, he was none of the wiser. Anyway, long story cut short, first time he was in a situation where he needed a key hill start, he activated the hill decent/accent feature and in his words "It's expletive rubbish".

Now, no doubt hill decent/accent has its place, but it is no substitute for the ole key start.

Moral of the story....buyer beware.

Thanks Fab72.

I wonder how many others have been caught by this same incorrect info.
Its a shame the Sales people do not fully understand the features that 4WDs have.

DAve

Jendav,
Thanks for the detailed explanation on how to STOP on a hill, but its NOT what I was asking.
Without checking any real figures, I would guess that now more auto's are being sold than manuals, especially in the wagon arena.
While I agree that having to start with your foot on the clutch is a PITA for any occasion, But, I wouldn't refuse to buy Prado just because you couldn't do a key hill start, when most (MAYBE) are Automatics which you cannot key hill start anyway.

Shane

Thanks ShaneD
My apologies for mis interpreting your question.

I think you are pretty close to the mark with more autos being sold than manuals. In our 4WD training program we have had to change our training techniques to cater for the ammount of Autos now coming through. In the scrub the auto is becoming more popular and in a lot of situations is a better vehicle to have.
I agree with you i wouldnt refuse to buy a Prado just because i couldnt perform a Key Start. What i would hope is that the Sales guy would know enough about the product to explain this to prospective buyers, so they are fully aware of this feature.
Its much better to know you cant do it, rather than wait until you need it and cant do it.
DAve.

And practice and practice and practice till u have it off pat

Thanks Dasher Dan.

The problem here is that with the new Prado you cant practice the Key start Uphill/
Downhill because the vehicle will not allow you to do it.

On steep grades you need to be able to do this, so that you can start ther vehicle safely. The new Prado apparently fails in this area

or........................just don't stall the donk :-)