Date Registered: 10-2007 Location: Melbourne Victoria TOTAL POSTS:31
|
Towing question Gday ,
I will be towing a trailer full of camping gear (not sure of the weight) with my manual exy and was wondering if anyone here uses 2WD, Auto or Lock when towing. I found the following elsewhere on this site : - Always tow in "Auto" 4wd mode. This gives the grip required when accelerating, and on non-ideal surfaces. . Can people let me know if they bother to drive in Auto when towing?? If so does driving in Auto use more fuel or is there little/no difference. I will be towing on sealed freeways, highways only and don't think grip will be an issue or though part of my trip will take me over the top of mount Hotham Victoria but this will be in summer and therefore the roads won't be icy/snowy just windy and steep accent/decent.
Date Registered: 09-2005 Location: QLD TOTAL POSTS:786
|
Re: Towing question Wet roads from rain might cause you a problem. There is no significant difference in fuel consumption between 2WD and Auto modes - even without towing. It just makes sense to tow in Auto to stop any excess loan on the front wheels, especially moving away from lights or on ascents.. the load is distributed more evenly across the car. I always use Auto when towing a boat, and when it comes to hills, I generally turn the over drive off.
Date Registered: 05-2007 Location: Perth Western Australia TOTAL POSTS:57
|
Re: Towing question Hi Crue,
I tow a 2006 3.8 mtr 1350kg (laden) Jayco Expanda with an Auto Transmission, I always turn the O/D off as it permits the Engine to run much more freely when under load. Surprisingly I have found that the fuel economy is better with the O/D disengaged under towing conditions.
I place the selector in the 2WD mode unless it is raining or I am taking off on a steep incline or leaving a gravel layby then I select Auto after wihich I revert to 2WD for the rest of my trip...this all works well for me.
Also I lock the cruise on at 85kph as this is safe, comfortable and very economical to boot.
Regards
Paul
--- Paul & Maureen
2006 X-Trail Ti-L Auto in Twilight