Thread: Auto 4WDing on non bitumen roads

Certainly old style autos had a tendency to run away but that was the result of the the Torque Converter not having a lock up mechanism so no direct connection between the engine and wheels - now certainly modern Discos etc will lock their TCs in low range 1st gear and I think the latest Toyotas etc do as well. So not an issue with modern 4wds - unfortunately many commentators live in the past and don't update their ideas.

Garry

Originally Posted by trout1105

I think that Old Mate that wrote that article is talking through his bum.
.....

My initial reaction when I read this bit ...

... There is only one way to slow down in an auto... the brake.

Obviously the author could do with some driver training too!

I often used the auto manually in our D1.

My thinking is that if you didn't need to use gears other than "D" and "R" they wouldn't have put the other 1, 2 and 3 on the selector

Originally Posted by trout1105

My thinking is that if you didn't need to use gears other than "D" and "R" they wouldn't have put the other 1, 2 and 3 on the selector

Well, I have had to head for the scrub more than once on outback gravel to get out of the way of a Britz troopie driven way too fast on a bend.
I don't think it is just an auto/manual issue.
Cheers,
Terry
(not the one who wrote the article).

Whist autos are probably a contributing factor, as most people only use D, R and P; the biggest issue in my opinion is people not knowing how to drive on dirt roads and going too fast.

I nearly rolled an 80 series Cruiser’ on the Cape about twenty years ago 🤫 simply going too fast, and not paying attention. Fast gravel road, hubs unlocked, too fast into a bend then over corrected and over corrected, and over corrected again fish tailing down the road. Scared the **** out of me and taught me how to drive!

Copba, when I was up North, some friends of mine driving constant 4WD Defenders and Disco 1 & 2's called it the Toyota flick (ie not locking the hubs on dirt and getting into a bit of strife). Of course I have never done that before, and it wasn't me they were talking about, driving an old clapped out work Hilux too fast on the dirt.....