5-Speed Automatic Shifting

[azntony85]

Sup guys... Just wondering what gears do you guys use for what driving condition for the V6 Automatics??? I drive in "D" all the time... Should it be on a different gear at times of freeway for long straight paths? let me know. thanks boys!

[amp2oo1]

Ive never used anything but D.

I want to use the low gears... stupid suburbia is nothing but concrete

[10SE]

Only time I shift out of D is if I'm trying to scrub off a little speed without getting on the brakes...




... or, if I'm winding out the RPMs to listen to my exhaust.

[Splicer]

Totota's tranny is a lot smarter than me, so I leave it in D -- unless I want additional engine braking, or if conditions make it shift back & forth too much, like on some uphill stretches...

[ambrew]

I use all the gears, depending on the situation. 90% in drive, the use other gears for braking/towing or sportier driving......

[SJlittlefoot]

use "D" unless i'm engine braking or going up steep hilly roads

[Deviant]

Normally keep it in D unless I'm feeling a little bored and the roads are empty

[lightningxb12]

D all of the time unless towing and the situation requires me to be in 4th. Its a complicated transmission thats computer controled. D is fine - it knows what to do.

[1st_Cavalry]

D all the time.But use 3 and 4 for coming down out of the mountains.And 1 and 2 for four wheeling.

[BruynBoy]

Originally Posted by Deviant

Normally keep it in D unless I'm feeling a little bored and the roads are empty

+1

[TacoDude]

Normal driving I use D. But when I'm in snow/ice condition I shift into 4 for added engine braking. During incline or decline I also shift to 4/3 depending on speed. I find the Tacoma likes to shift into 5 too soon during uphills and shifts back and forth b/w 4&5. So I just keep it in 4 on uphills.

[azntony85]

Everyone is using the term "engine braking" what is that??? Sorry i sound like a noob. lol What gear to use uphill and what gears to use downhill??? Is 'D' in automatic overdrive already? Or is the overdrive automatic too??? lol im confused.

[1st_Cavalry]

Try this.Cruise at 40mph, let off the gas, then downshift to 3rd.You'll find out what engine braking is. Just be careful when engine braking.If you go one gear to much, you may blow up your engine.No rev limiter will save you then. And you never want to downshift into 1st gear while in motion.Ever.If you got to put it into first, then stop completly.The only time I use 1st is when I'm in 4lo, and I'm going down a really steep off-road trail.
When going uphill, pop it into 4th.

[fpugs65]

Originally Posted by 1st_Cavalry

Just be careful when engine braking.If you go one gear to much, you may blow up your engine.No rev limiter will save you then. And you never want to downshift into 1st gear while in motion.Ever.If you got to put it into first, then stop completly.

This is a good point, but with the Automatic in the truck, I am 99% sure that even if you downshift 1 or more too many gears, it will wait to downshift until it is safe for the engine to do so.

[musubi]

Originally Posted by azntony85

Everyone is using the term "engine braking" what is that??? Sorry i sound like a noob. lol What gear to use uphill and what gears to use downhill??? Is 'D' in automatic overdrive already? Or is the overdrive automatic too??? lol im confused.

Engine braking is basically using the engine and the gearing to brake the vehicle. Anytime you downshift, the RPM's will jump a lil' and your truck will slow a little, that's the engine braking your vehicle.

Using engine braking uphill and downhill depends on how steep the hill is. Some may use 3rd others 2nd or even 4th. Downhill, it's mainly used to save the brakes and let the engine do all the work braking. Uphill, downshifting is used to maintain a steady source of power and torque, forcing the engine to use a lower gear and not allowing it to upshift to a higher gear.

I'm not sure on the OD part for D. I'm usually driving my 6sp man. not the auto.