4 Low wont shift out of fourth gear

I have a 2017 sport with automatic transmission. I was out in the snow recently and using 4 low on a rather icy section, after clearing the icy section I left in low just in case another icy section was around the next bend. I typically use the sport shift when in low and I found it odd that it wouldn't shift out of 4th gear. I put it in Drive and got the same thing, no 5th or 6th gear.

I know its unusual to use the higher gears in low range but am I mistaken to think it should still shift into all 6 gears whether in Drive or sport shift? I am on 4.88 gears but that shouldn't matter.

 

??? think that is normal for 4WD LOW - locked out. Not the same for 4WD High - which will allow upshift beyond 4th.

 

Are you on road or off road? On road you shouldn’t really be using 4 low here. You are just adding more torque which leads to more wheel spin.

With that said I don’t know why you’d need to be into overdrive gears in 4 low so it would make sense if it limits to 1-4.

 

Yup. 4th is a much as you get on the Stock tune. I think folks have figured out how to access 5th and maybe 6th.


Being able to cruise in 6th between obstacles, climbs, or whatever is pretty nice.

 

I think you're right about this (I'd check my manual, but it's not nearby right now). Pretty sure there is speed limit with respect to 4WD Low, too?

And now i know what I'll be doing later this evening - reviewing my owners manual.

 

This was on a road but it was a few inches of packed snow that had turned to ice. Bottom line, not on pavement.

 

I am perfectly fine with this as long as its supposed to be that way.

 

I did check the manual but I didnt find a definitive answer. If you find it please let me know.

Thanks for all the replies, folks!

 

Yep. Nothing wrong.

 

I find it odd that Toyota would disallow use of gears 5-6 in 4lo. I use them relatively often to travel between trails in my 6mt. I drive at 30mph comfortably in 6th.

 

Agree 100%

 

It kind of makes sense to me. That's a weird combo. Isn't 4th the 1:1 gear? So you're overdriving on the trans while reducing on the transfer. Sure, it works, but you already have a more efficient means of achieving the same ratio.

Im guessing Toyota locks it out to keep people from cooking their trans.

 

I have no reason to believe it is hard on the transmission. Do you?

I also tend to think the term “overdrive” is an anachronism that isn’t particularly important these days.

 

4lo has a speed max. You don't want to go fast at all in 4lo.

 

I believe I see their logic.

An operator could be using 4 low to move a heavy trailer on a hill, if fifth and sixth were available they could end up towing a very heavy load in overdrive.

The engine may well be capable of doing the job in sixth gear 4 low, the transmission might not agree.

 

It's hard on the transfercase, the force alone is massive in the lower gears, then you add speed to that planetary and it starts to get hairy.

I've only been in 4th a few times trying to keep up with trail groups. It's the only reason that makes any sense.

I miss my old trucks for the transfer case stick, way faster to pop into neutral, shift back into 4Hi and boogie along.