towing question

gtbigup01 · 10-17-2004, 02:26 PM

Hey guys I'll be towing for the first time on my vehicle,I will be towing an 89 accord to NY on wednesday, my question is should I leave the tow mode switch for the entire trip?

TitanicSE · 10-17-2004, 03:00 PM

It's my understanding that the TOW MODE just allows for higher shift points and only in 1st 2nd and 3rd gears....not 4th and 5th. As long as the truck doesn't need to rev higher to get up and going, I'd leave the TOW MODE off....however it won't hurt to leave it on either. Try both and see which feels better to you.

gtbigup01 · 10-17-2004, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TitanicSE

It's my understanding that the TOW MODE just allows for higher shift points and only in 1st 2nd and 3rd gears....not 4th and 5th. As long as the truck doesn't need to rev higher to get up and going, I'd leave the TOW MODE off....however it won't hurt to leave it on either. Try both and see which feels better to you.

ok thanks i'll give both a try

sndmn2 · 10-17-2004, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TitanicSE

It's my understanding that the TOW MODE just allows for higher shift points and only in 1st 2nd and 3rd gears....not 4th and 5th. As long as the truck doesn't need to rev higher to get up and going, I'd leave the TOW MODE off....however it won't hurt to leave it on either. Try both and see which feels better to you.

Where did you find this info? I don't see it anywhere in the manual. I was just looking for information also. If this is correct, and Tow Mode doesn't alter 4th or 5th and assumeing that 5th is an overdrive gear ( I think, if its not an overdrive gear would someone let me know ) You could be concievably towing overdrive. That doesn"t sound right. If you were trailering and wanted to leave tow mode off could you just drive it in 4th? Page 5-12 is not very clear to me.

Austin · 10-17-2004, 09:09 PM

The "Tow Mode" switch increases the shift point for partial throttle operation when shifting from 1st to 2nd, 2nd to 3rd, 3rd to 4th. The 4th to 5th shift points remain unchanged. Use tow mode when you're towing a heavy load. If your truck shifts too early for you and seems to bog after shifting due to the load you're towing, then flip the tow mode switch on.

When towing, it's wise to leave the truck in 4th gear. In 5th gear while towing a load, you can overheat the transmission due to the torque converter locking/unlocking.

Here's a chart of transmission shift points.

sndmn2 · 10-17-2004, 11:01 PM

What your saying makes sense to me. Nowhere in the manual does it mention this. So if pulling a heavy trailer, put it in 4th and use "tow mode". I should avoid "D" when pulling a heavy load?

Austin · 10-17-2004, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sndmn2

So if pulling a heavy trailer, put it in 4th and use "tow mode". I should avoid "D" when pulling a heavy load?

Yes, if you're towing a heavy load, don't drive in D - use 4th gear.

How you define a "heavy" load is, of course, up to you. Personally, if I had 1000 lbs in the bed or I was towing 1000 lbs, I'd leave it in 4th gear.

sndmn2 · 10-18-2004, 12:09 AM

Well, I should be O.K. I towed a 7x16 Haulmark,( 2890lbs and 2 motocycles 450 lbs) 4000 pounds max 300 miles over the weekend in "d" with tow on. Flat land,no hills, lower Mich.
I only went 50-55 like the manual said. The truck only had 600 miles on it so I was anal about my speed. Assuming that 5th doesn"t actually kick in untill after 50-55 (is this right). Wouldn't this keep me in 4th gear anyways?

gtbigup01 · 10-18-2004, 04:19 AM

ok then lots of info.Guess i'll have to do the trip and figure out which is better since there is no black and white guidance. Thanks anyway.

**goathead** · 10-18-2004, 04:26 AM

[quote=sndmn2]Well, I should be O.K. I towed a 7x16 Haulmark,( 2890lbs and 2 motocycles 450 lbs) 4000 pounds max 300 miles over the weekend in "d" with tow on. Flat land,no hills, lower Mich.
I only went 50-55 like the manual said. The truck only had 600 miles on it so I was anal about my speed. Assuming that 5th doesn"t actually kick in untill after 50-55 (is this right). Wouldn't this keep me in 4th gear anyways?[/QUOTE]

actually, i think that the transmission would shift into 5th at that speed or below. maybe im wrong. who knows?

steve

Austin · 10-18-2004, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sndmn2

Assuming that 5th doesn"t actually kick in untill after 50-55 (is this right). Wouldn't this keep me in 4th gear anyways?

You'll definitely be in 5th gear cruising at 50 mph.

Keep in mind, the chart above gives shift points for only 2 conditions - full throttle and half throttle.

TPS (Throttle Position Sensor) is a 5 volt sensor, converted to a percentage for the engine management. 0% (closed throttle) will probably be .2 volts or less, 100% (WOT) will likely be between 4.5 and 4.7 volts. So, 50% should be right around 2.4/2.5 volts.

There are a million shades of gray between closed throttle and WOT. 60% TPS will give higher shift points than 50%. 40% TPS will give lower shift points than 50%.

gtbigup01 · 10-19-2004, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Austin

You'll definitely be in 5th gear cruising at 50 mph.

Keep in mind, the chart above gives shift points for only 2 conditions - full throttle and half throttle.

TPS (Throttle Position Sensor) is a 5 volt sensor, converted to a percentage for the engine management. 0% (closed throttle) will probably be .2 volts or less, 100% (WOT) will likely be between 4.5 and 4.7 volts. So, 50% should be right around 2.4/2.5 volts.

There are a million shades of gray between closed throttle and WOT. 60% TPS will give higher shift points than 50%. 40% TPS will give lower shift points than 50%.

Ok guys what is the final verdict? The car i'll be towing is about 3500 lbs (2dr accord 89), should I stay in 4th gear with the tow mode switch on or 5th and tow mode?

TitanicSE · 10-19-2004, 02:14 PM

It's not a heavy load. I'd keep it in 5th (unless you have a lot of hills) and leave tow mode off. But again, you won't hurt anything either way. There's no cut and dry answer. Use your head....if it feels like it's boggin' you down, use tow mode and/or 4th gear.

TuffTitan · 10-19-2004, 05:06 PM

I would follow the advise of Nissan on this one. Put the truck in tow mode and put the gear selector in 4th. Your mileage may suffer slightly but hey, you probably didn't buy this beast because of the mileage. If you have a console shifter if you put it in D and slide it to the left, that will keep you in 4th. I have heard a lot of people that don't put it in 4th and the temp shoots up in a hurry. If you choose not to do either, keep an eye on your gauges!!! The second your tranny temp starts going up, throw it in 4th

TitanicSE · 10-19-2004, 07:31 PM

According to your owners manual, "The tow mode should be used when the vehicle and trailer weight is at least 75% of the vehicles GCWR." (sec 9-31 in the manual) It gives you all you'll need to know.