In town which is best D or 4

Hi guys.
This might seen like a dum question,but i just got my Tacoma about three weeks ago,and i have nt had a 4x4 in many many years.
This one is a 2007 V6 4x4, with 90 ,000 kilometers.
The previous owner told me that in town he was using a lot the 4 position besides the D ,then would use 4 when going on highways.(on 2x4 of course)
So is it wiser yo stay on D all the time in town,or best yo use that 4 when we are going slow in town from one stop to another,which we do have a lots here in a small town??
This might sound like a strange question,but would like to know what is best.
Thank
My regards
Charly

 

Just use D. I can't see a reason to use 4.
Someone else might chime in with a reason

 

Keeping it in 4, or even 3, when in town is fine. It will make for snappier accel, since it doesn't need to downshift everytime you want to move faster and makes braking a bit easier due to more engine braking.

But, it will cost you mpg's. I've tried this on my Tacoma and on my last truck. Results were the same, better drivability, but costs milage. I keep it in D....

 

Yes i think in D is just find.
Not much difference in power either.
Thanks
Charly

 

I use 4 most of the time

 

Also I've compared running around in 4 all the time and in D and for my never on the highway rural driving there is zero discernable fuel economy difference per tank

 

OZ
Thanks for the reply!
So ,there is nt much difference!!
Probably the speed has a big factor in gas consuming,,i think!!
I noticed though that at high speed it will make a difference which is understandable!
All the best
Charly

 

I use 4 for speed up to 55-60 and more "stop and go" traffic/roads. Usually only highway driving or known open roads will I use D.

 

The higher the gear you tranny can shift into, the slower your engine runs, the LESS gasoline you will burn.

It is an AUTOMATIC transmission, and D is for drive. Let it do what it is made to do.

IF you are going downhill and want to let the engine compression help slow you instead of the brakes only, then you can select a speed limiting gear down from 5th (D)... 4,3,2,L (1). Also on the rare times your truck is struggling up a grade and keeps trying to stay in a higher gear, but needs to down shift repeatedly, then drop it down manually... but watch your tachometer to not over-rev the motor.

 

So driving around with it in D continuously hunting between 4th , 5th and TC locked 5th is the way to go because it's an AUTOMATIC ?

 

Thanks David ,sound good!
Regards
Charly

 

I think some people would be better served with a shifter limited to P D N R

 

Towing or steep grades I use 4.

 

Some people should have a manual tranny if they want to select the gears continuously?
Obviously if the truck is hunting between two gears on a grade, I said that would be one of the rare times selecting a position other than drive makes sense. The other is to slow the truck as a position below D would by the top gear limit.

 

4

 

Not that " rare " of an occasion for me , that's why I said I use 4 most of the time even though it is an AUTOMATIC tranny .

I had a manual tranny truck for 14 years before I bought my Tacoma , and when the truck is lugging at 1200 rpm trying to hold D , I would rather it be in 4 and have some pick up and response , I would shift before that in my manual , why wouldn't I do the same in my auto ? I mean that's why it's selectable

 

are we going to see a fight like in West Side Story?

i will use this thread as a reminder to use 4 more; i'm always driving around town and it's hilly in Seattle and i've got slightly larger tires. i use 4 on hills in the hwy but usually not in stop and go street traffic where i would probably like it best.

 

Can't hurt anything to try it out

 

I always use 4, it's natural for me when I get in to shift right to 4. I sometimes forget if I het the highway and I hear the revs haha "shit!, shift up"

I just hate when it lurks for 5th...