Questions on S mode and Towing

Pfft! I’m an engineer myself (not automotive), so I tend to believe they know more about the product than their customers.

 

Hilux uses same AC60 transmission as Taco…

 

They can have the same trans, hilux has way more trans options than the taco, I also never said the mpg was "good" just the toyota care more about than they do about transmission life.

the quality is still better then the competition, but a non serviceable trans is a joke, it shows they care more about short term lower maintenance cost than they do about long term reliability.

 

From one engineer to another I hope you got the sarcasm in that meme

 

Whats your point?

 

Lol

 

Speaking as an end user/ mechanic, all engineers are idiots.

 

Mechanics are engineers

 

huh, I'm and engineer and I didn't even need college. I knew all those engineering degrees were useless.

 

The first trans oil change is billable to the customer at no cost to Toyota.

 

Judging the quality of work most of the technicians do at dealers I would agree with this.

Did you get your education online?

 

Yes but by calling it a sealed unit they can reduce the projected maintenance cost and use it as a selling point. By the way the salesman will tell you the the transmission never needs to be serviced, including a drain and fill. And if they put a transmission fluid replacement, not just a drain and fill, on the service requirements that would reduce it maintenance cost score. Every transmission ever made needs fluid and filter replacement and the pan/ magnets cleaned at some point if you want it to last, especially if you've been letting it run above 200 degrees, but Toyota won't say that because they would loose advertising points due to the increased maintenance cost.

 

Did I say technician? I'm a MECHANIC, don't compare me to those apes that call themselves technicians.

 

Funny, when I did my apprenticeship the final accreditation was ‘Automotive Technical Engineer’.

 

Yes, you are a funny ape

 

Don't be afraid of high RPMs. These 3.5 V6s generate more horsepower than torque and peak numbers come at near 5k RPM. I have had my truck in S2 on the freeway at about 4800 RPM for a brief stretch over a few passes in New Mexico and Colorado. I tow 3500# regularly.

Yep, 5th is an overdrive as well and if you have a Trans temp monitor you will see the temps skyrocket if you are in S5 or S6 and the truck is working to maintain speed. I only use the OD gears on long, downhill situations and rarely use 6th. Oly time in recent memory when I used it was on the down hill side of a 2000 foot descent. 4th is my go-to and I have done multi-state trips at 3-3.2k for days on end without issue. Your taco can handle it although the MPG will suck (8-12 avg depending on terrain and headwinds, no joke 8 MPG so be ready)

A good rule is that if the truck has to work to keep up speed it should be in S4. Relaxing or coasting with a nice tail wind sure, put it in S5 but as soon as the truck starts to work and generate friction (heat) in OD the temps blast upwards in a hurry.

Enjoy the boat! Sounds like you are the friend to have

What I tow... 3500# GVWR ... about 2800 pictured

 

We’ll leave it here because you’re obviously more evolved.

Cheers, Mark

 

I appreciate the info! Thank you. It’s nice when people comment with real world experience on a topic and it sounds like you have done a lot of towing with your taco. Based on everyone’s comments I’m going to keep it in S4 most of the time with ECT on probably doing 55mph. I’ll mostly just be taking the boat down the highway to a few different lakes about 20- 30 miles away. Flat driving. If I start to feel comfortable with that I’ll see how it does in S5. I dig your little trailer setup, looks like a blast!

 

Ex-act-fucking-lutely.
Read the owner's manual, when towing use ECT mode and forget the S mode. I just did an 800 mile trip where half of it was towing 3500 lbs. ECT mode for the win.