Newbie thread about Automatic Transmission Gears

Hey guys; I am new to this forum. I have a really novice question. I was looking in the owner's manual for my new '13 4x4 Double Cab V6 AT. I wanted to read more about the 4wd system, and I found the chart that shows the maximum speeds for various configurations.

One thing that confused me: in the chart it refers to gears "1" and "5." I was wondering if these correspond to "D" and "L," respectively. So if the chart says I can drive up to 15 mph (I am making this number up) if I am in 5 and 4Lo, does that mean L and 4Lo?

Also, as a related side note...when is the best situation to use gears L, 4, 3, and 2 if you are in H2? I know you get engine braking from this, but is it ever useful in normal road conditions? Thanks.

 

For normal driving conditions....its not any different than any other Automatic 'car' on the road. Keep it in 2WD and "D" (for drive).
Easy Peasy....

For basic snowy conditions - 4WD HI - and "D"

If you don't do any off roading, chances are...you'll never need 4LO. On vary rare occasions in really bad snow storms, I will put it in 4lo to creep along.
4WD HI (gearing) is the same as 2WD in terms of RPM's and how fast the truck moves. 4LO is a totally different ballgame and a much lower gear range. Again - you can always use "D" in either case and let the truck do the shifting for you.

To understand the difference..... Go to a dirt parking lot. Put the truck in 4WD (hi) and drive. See how it reacts. Come to a complete STOP and put the truck into 4LO ...and see how it reacts (DO NOT GAS THE THROTTLE - LIGHT on the throttle).
You'll see the difference.

FYI: Do not operate truck in 4WD while on pavement. DO NOT make tight turns while in 4WD.

 

The shift selector has L2, L, 2, 3, 4, and D. D is like overdrive, it allows the truck's rpms to drop while maintaining highway speeds. 4 is basically drive without the overdrive. If you're going up a grade, such as a mountain road, and the truck is constantly upshifting and downshifting, putting it in 4 will increase the rpms, but will eliminate the constant shifting. I don't think there's an upper limit to how fast you can go in 4, but watch the rpms. I use the other gears based on the terrain I am on when off-road. If I don't want to use the brake to much to slow me down, I will "downshift" into a lower gear. Once again, have to watch the rpms. I do the same when in either 4hi or 4lo. When I need to creep down a hill, I will put it in 4lo 2lo.

 

^^^ I think you mean L , 2 , 3 , 4 , D

 

Thanks for the responses.

Can I try out H4 (or even HL) on a sandy beach? Does it matter how deep the sand is?

Also, was I right that in the manual, gear 1 corresponds to "L" and 5 is "D?"

How do you figure out the best combo of 4H or 4L with whatever gear? Like when would you do 4H with 2?

 

In the auto , the gear selector only limits the gear that the truck will shift up to , so if you select 3 for example , the truck will start out in L and shift up to 2 then 3 , but won't shift up to 4 or D .

4H ( 4 wheel drive , High ) can be used in any condition where there is tire slip , ie all but dry pavement

4L ( 4 wheel drive , Low ) is generally used when limiting speed is desireable , ie rock crawling , steep climbs / decents

again , selecting a gear limits how high the truck will shift up to

and you are correct that L is 1st and D would be 5th gears respectively

 

Have you ever owned an Automatic before?

You're over-thinking it. "D" does not mean 5. D is a range between 1-5. Put the truck in "D" (for DRIVE) and the truck automatically shifts between gears 1-5 automatically as you drive. It upshifts & downshifts as needed while you drive. Nothing else to think about and you don't ever had to touch the gear shifter until you get in or out of the truck (to put it in park).

In most driving situations..... Put the truck in "D" and drive. Doesn't matter if you're in 2WD, 4WD, or 4Lo. The truck automatically shifts for you.

The only time you'll want to use 4LO is in offroading situations and/or pulling a boat off a boat ramp.... (for example).

DO NOT test your 4WD system in the sand. I don't have sand driving experience myself, but I will say....You DO NOT want to take it lightly. You'll get stuck in a heartbeat and it can be ugly (towed out). Find a dirt road, or grassy lane to test your 4WD system.

 

New to the Tacoma work, just got a 2013 off road automatic and was wondering do you just keep it in D or do shift down to keep the RPMs up depending on the conditions and your speed? Am I over thinking this?

 

Generally it stays in D , however many times in slower hill sections I put it in 4 to keep it from trying to upshift , also I use 4 ( and sometimes 3 ) to limit upshifting going downhill

 

hey guys. i just made it to Santa Fe, NM last night from Houston. me and my buddy are headed up to UT and then CO after for some mtb riding. this is my first time driving in the mountains. i noticed my tacoma is struggleing a bit on the steeper climbs driving into NM in D. i think this was the first time i saw the truck hit 3k rpms while shifting. DUMB QUESTION. what gear should i be in when i get up into those really steep climbs and decents in CO? i am sure it doesnt help that i am loaded up with a bunch of gear too. we do plan on driving through Medano pass so ill need to figure out how to use 4X4 as well. i feel really dumb asking this question but ill feel even dumber after, if i burn my Auto Transmission in these mountains. i figured me being from Houston peeps would understand, thanks! i have an older 2004 TRD 1st gen with ECT, 4x4 and tow pkg. my shifter just has D, 2, L. ive never had to use 4X4 since Houston doesnt really call for it and i do not tow.

 

slap it in 4 going up/down steep grades

keeping in 4 doesn't let it shift making it stay at a lower RPM

once out on the level country free way....back to OD '5'

do not tow in OD !

on snow packed roads 40 mph should be fine in 4 Hi

 

What ever happened to reading the owners manual?

 

men dont read instructions. good idea though. i have an 04'. my shifter only has D, 2, L. No 4th gear selection.

 

huh ???????????