Thread: towing with a D2 TD5 auto.

Yep, drop into third gently just before the hill and you will go smoothly to third locked up. It will give you plenty of power without overheating the trans and will not try to change down when you have to put your foot down a bit.

Nick

Thanks Pippin.

Just to clarify the process, if you are approaching a hill in 4th locked up and change to 3rd it will first unlock 4th then go to 3rd and then lock up in 3rd. It does it almost seamlessly.

Your best investment if you don't already have one, is an EGT gauge, and you then drive using temps. You also don't say how heavy your van is. Mine is way up there (SWAMBOs choice of van) but if not in a hurry can get almost anywhere.

X2 Nick's (Pippins) comments.

If your car is standard ECU/tune then an EGR gauge isn't a must have item....... unless you are towing a trailer weighing close to 3.5t, (like Gavin's Palace on wheels ), in arduous conditions.

Cheers

Steve

The choice of using Sport Mode is up to you, but when in Sport it runs unlocked more,, which is bad. Though I gather letting the TD5 load up the turbo is bad for egt's
???

Towing a 2.8 tonne load, (valiant car) Td5 auto chipped heading north up mooney mooney hill M1 (6km hill) 34 deg c temp.
Could only maintain 60kph at 3000rpm, TM2 read 104c

Empty trailer 1000kg maintained 100kph in 3rd locked TC

Had an interesting observation a few years ago while overseas towing about 1.5t with a chevy ute, petrol V8, auto. The trailer was sign posted not travel over 100km/hr, (insurance reasons). While sitting on 100, the auto kept hunting for gears, even on small grades, but when traveling at 110 it stayed in top gear and only down shift on bigger hills or if you stepped on it to pass someone.

It is about finding that sweet spot for the load you are towing.