I suspect that instead of changing down into third manually and having it lock up the OP is leaving the box in D and the auto unlocks in 4th and therefore heats up the transmission fluid as it continues to slip the converter with the box in 4th.
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Depends on any up hill and which way the wind is blowing. You seem to need to be 90km + to have much chance of staying in lock up towing my van. There is a lot of searching of the gear box from 4th locked down through unlocked to 3rd locked /unlocked in the 75 to 85 speed. I have at times had to leave it in 3rd and settled on a little slower speed into a very stiff head wind to get the box to lock. Mostly though I tow at highway speed lock up 4th.
Hi
Has anyone else noticed the trick effect when towing (sorry got an 03 D2a auto TD5) of selecting 3rd and using Sport mode? It locks up much earlier about 60--65kph and will stay locked right down to about 35kmh, provided load doesn't trigger unlock.
Its great for dirt road towing of a camper where you are continually slowing for dips and creek crossings. BUT only seems to work when the ECU senses load/torque needed for towing.
Have tried it on a couple of D2s so its not just something funny with my box.
Try it, you'll like it!
Silverhammer