Gohawks63

When towing do you keep in in D4 or D5?

I'm going to be occasionally towing a 3,600lb boat and the trailer, I'm guessing close to 4000 lbs total. THe manual doesn't state which gear it should be in and the dealer said that it's OK to leave it in D5 since the electronics will determine the best gear. Old school mindset is that you shouldn't use overdrive when towing.

What do you guys do?

tabraha

George if it's flat then D5 will be no prob.
If it has an elevaion change I'd go to D4 and save the tranny from dropping down as much. I've towed in some medium mountains with no probs in D5, it does pretty well downshifing on it's own.

Tad

Gohawks63

Thanks Tad. Being in the midwest, it's about as flat as you're gonna get.

BeatenPath

In towing with my '03 LX either a 4000+ lb. boat/trailer or my nearly 5000 lb car trailer I have not experienced any gear hunt in a variety of terrains by simply using D5. The trans electronics seem to be right on for the most part with the proper gear for the specific terrain, load, and speed. The only time that I have had to force a lower gear is when we are out in the Rocky Mountains for some more oomph on the climbs by having the engine in the meat of the torque curve. Here in the Midwest, D5 should suit all of your needs...