Automatic Trans Engine Braking Off Road

Bored and stuck at home so here goes...

For those who have owned and off roaded manual transmission 4x4s and now own an auto Tacoma.

How much engine braking do you actually get in your auto Taco?

For example:

You're off road and about to go down a steep downhill grade. You select S mode, then bump down into 1st gear before you descend without using any brakes at all. This could be short section of trail, or a longer section of forest road. You could be in 4 high or 4 low... Regradless, how much engine braking do you actually get?

I'm assuming much more engine braking in 4 low, but does it happen immediately or does the truck roll down freely as if in neutral (without any brakes) until it gains enough speed to spin up the torque converter?

Obviously the only comparison here is versus a manual trans in the same situation. The manual is going to have more engine braking here... but I have no experience in the auto so I'm curious.

 

I had an auto 2018 and now a manual 2020.

I've had a 1999 manual and my dad has a 2011 manual.

The 2018 auto was frustrating on descents off road. The high final gearing meant that that 1st gear L4 would still get up over 20mph with out applying brakes or using the crawl control. All the manuals of theses trucks' final gearing made 1st gear L4 much lower.

 

Wow, 20 mph in 1st gear 4 low downhill? Yeah, no thanks.

Someone is gonna say use the brakes, but that's not what I asked so thanks.

 

I would say "don't quote me on that" but you already did haha! However, that's the number I remember on my speedo, with plenty more RPM to go before my face was:

 

I have an auto and do this quite a bit . I feel it works great and does not have much delay at all ( less than a second ). I stay in 1st and 2nd EVEN in 2wd and it engine brakes very well .

 

Haha. Well, I'm surprised it's able to hit that speed in 1st gear 4 low! Based solely on the math from the gear ratios and stock tires it should only reach 15 mph... but that's assuming the torque converter is locked. With an unlocked converter it may be letting it spin more and gain speed. Auto trans is not my area of expertise. So I figured I'd ask some folks who actually own them.

That's good to hear. I love the ability to control engine braking in my manual taco. However, I know one day I will grow tired of shifting it myself...at least for a daily driver.

Have you owned manuals you've off roaded?

Slightly off topic, if you are stopped and select S mode, then 2... will it actually start in 2nd gear? I know it will show "2" on the dash, but will it actually start in 2nd from a stop?

 

Just did this earlier today. You get normal engine braking and it doesn’t act like it’s in neutral at all. Seems to hold decent around 3k rpm’s on the hills I was coming down in 4hi.

 

It's entirely possible I'm an idiot. I may have not been using the tool right. I can say though, I am much happier with the manual off-road, probably because that's what I'm trained for lol

 

No. Basically you’re selecting the highest gear that it will shift to. So if you choose S2 it will act normal but it won’t shift passed second gear

 

I have off roaded with manuals and it was more of a chore when down shifting , gaining a bit of speed when the clutch is in and skidding when letting it out too fast on down hill . The auto has a nice split second slushbox cushion lol.
I never really watch what speed I am going in 1st but just add brakes when it sounds like the engine is running too high . A lot of the trail/gravel/dirt roads I drive are very twisty and up and down and over water crossings , I have to pay more attention to where I am going than the speed .
When stopping it always starts out in 1st. , the Smode limits how high it shifts , not how low. I feel it is very easy to drive as compared to a manual .

 

Downhill and Crawl Control go together like peanut butter and jelly. I personally feel like downhill is where CC shines and actually works as well or better than advertised. If 4L and S1 are too fast, use one of the 5 CC settings to slow it down to as low as 1 MPH.

 

Thanks, everyone. That paints a good picture for me without having actually done it in the auto.

And I suppose there is no way to start the auto in 2nd gear if need be (icy, etc).