big tow question

WILDCATTITAN · 06-03-2004, 11:25 PM

Hello everyone I am glad to be apart of this site. I have a titan with the big tow option. I loved the truck so much that I bought it without asking alot of questions. So can anyone tell me if I am not towing anything should I ever use gears other than (D)? I understand that this package gives me more low end tork (which I like ) but still not grasping what the manual is telling me. I am not very educated when it comes to newer trucks. I have an older truck that I have no problem understanding (72 k5 blazer). Thanks

TrojanDan · 06-03-2004, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WILDCATTITAN

Hello everyone I am glad to be apart of this site. I have a titan with the big tow option. I loved the truck so much that I bought it without asking alot of questions. So can anyone tell me if I am not towing anything should I ever use gears other than (D)? I understand that this package gives me more low end tork (which I like ) but still not grasping what the manual is telling me. I am not very educated when it comes to newer trucks. I have an older truck that I have no problem understanding (72 k5 blazer). Thanks

The BT package doesn't give you more low end torque, it gives you a lower final gear ratio thats better for towing. There is only 1 engine and transmission combination, so all Titans have the hp/tq. The BT package also gives you the VDC, which is thoroughly explained in other posts. You probably not gonna go outta "D" much, if at all.

Austin · 06-04-2004, 12:15 AM

If you're towing more than a couple thousand pounds, tow in 4th - not in drive.

Quad T · 06-04-2004, 07:01 AM

You should also read the manual regarding the TOW button on the dash. When towing on grades it will hold the truck in a specific gear longer so it does not upshift only to downshift a little later...

Quad T · 06-04-2004, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Austin

If you're towing more than a couple thousand pounds, tow in 4th - not in drive.

If I was humming down the thruway at 70+ mph I can not see myself holding the truck back in 4th...

bestatchess · 06-04-2004, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WILDCATTITAN

So can anyone tell me if I am not towing anything should I ever use gears other than (D)?

Yes, you should downshift on downhill grades instead of riding the brakes. Watch the tach and don't push the redline. I downshift to keep it under the speed limit on downhills every day. If you constantly ride the brakes on this truck, you are going to have brake problems. (and you may have brake problems anyway)

COHawk · 06-04-2004, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bestatchess

Yes, you should downshift on downhill grades instead of riding the brakes. Watch the tach and don't push the redline. I downshift to keep it under the speed limit on downhills every day. If you constantly ride the brakes on this truck, you are going to have brake problems. (and you may have brake problems anyway)

As a mechanic told me, "which is cheaper to replace? The transmission or the brakes." With people around here going to the mountains so much he said you're asking for trouble to regularly downshift an automatic.

Bestatchess, I'm not putting you down, just giving some advice that was given to me take it as you will.

SM68 · 06-04-2004, 09:13 AM

Tow Mode only works in D. If you're in 4,3,2 or 1 tow mode will not engage. Put the truck in D, hit the tow button and be done with it.

You really don't need to use 1,2,3 or 4 when you're not towing either. The only times I downshift is in traffic. I leave it in second so the truck quits shifting all the time.

The only time it is recommended to downshift on grades are when the downward grade is so steep (or long) that constant braking will overheat the pads. Don't engine brake unless you have to.

Cheers,
...Colin

O'silent1 · 06-04-2004, 09:39 AM

WILDCATTITAN,
I too am a Wildcat, or used to be (graduated from U of A in 94). I downshift all the time, sometimes just to de-accelerate while approaching a stoplight. In fact, I think I do it more now since reading about the warped rotors problem simply to stay off the brakes. I have done this on many trucks in the past and never had a problem. Why did Nissan make it so convenient to change gears if it is something we should avoid doing? Forgive my lack of knowledge about how transmissions work but since the transmission is still shifting, what is the difference if we do it manually or automatically? Anyone?

rvandam · 06-04-2004, 09:46 AM

If you are off the gas and tap the brake pedal, the Titan will do the downshifting for you (more than normal I mean), it's pretty cool... That automatic is almost smarter than I am

bestatchess · 06-04-2004, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by COHawk

As a mechanic told me, "which is cheaper to replace? The transmission or the brakes." With people around here going to the mountains so much he said you're asking for trouble to regularly downshift an automatic.

Bestatchess, I'm not putting you down, just giving some advice that was given to me take it as you will.

Perhaps your mechanic doesn't know that the Titan's transmission is programmed to automatically downshift to control speed on hills, for example when you go downhill with cruise control? I would agree that you shouldn't be using the transmission for braking to stop lights, but your brakes won't last long if you are habitually riding them down a 6% grade. I have engaged in the practice of downshifting automatic transmissions to control speed on down grades for decades and have put over 200,000 on several automatic transmission with no ill effects. Perhaps your mechanic just wants to do more brake jobs.