Tow/Haul mode
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Tow/Haul mode
I have an 06 F250 5.4L, 3.73LS with the torqshift automatic transmission. This weekend I towed my 25 ft. travel trailer. First time I used the mode in my Super Duty. I used it previously in my F150. My question is...When I went down hills the transmission occasionally downshifted as if it was trying to hold the truck back. Is this common? I actually liked it but never seen it happen before and was not sure if it was suppose to.
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From: Millersville, MD
That's exactly how it's supposed to work...as a diesel just about goes into a "coast" mode when you let off the go pedal, the next best way to slow down (without using your brakes) is to downshift and let the tranny slow ya down. Sure saves on the brakes!
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While it may save your brakes, your tranny will wear down faster. Brakes are far cheaper to replace than a tranny. It's more of a safety issue actually.
I have a 2006 F250 with the V10, and I haul a 2,000 lb camper. I use the tow/haul mode occasionally when going down steep windy grades. The manual says to use the tow/haul mode when towing a heavy load, but how heavy is heavy? Is 2,000 lbs heavy? Or is that nothing for a F250? I guess use it when you need it.
I have a 2006 F250 with the V10, and I haul a 2,000 lb camper. I use the tow/haul mode occasionally when going down steep windy grades. The manual says to use the tow/haul mode when towing a heavy load, but how heavy is heavy? Is 2,000 lbs heavy? Or is that nothing for a F250? I guess use it when you need it.
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Originally Posted by KyleKai
While it may save your brakes, your tranny will wear down faster. Brakes are far cheaper to replace than a tranny. It's more of a safety issue actually.
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I would say use the tow/haul mode on downhills whenever you need to keep control over your speed. I pull a 4500 lb boat+trailer with it's own brakes. Depending on the downhill conditions, I will use the tow/haul. Use it for safety and control. I can keep my rig from accelerating without overusing the brakes on steep grades. Yes, you are working your trans harder, but if you heat up your brakes down a mountain pass you will be in trouble if you have to be evasive. It may take some time to get used to it's habits of downshifting, but i have gotten it in a nice zone where it's not downshifting hard and is still providing some resistance. Steep windy rode?? Use the tow haul for sure. Heavy load?? Yes again. I'll beat the living bejeebus out of the tranny if the safety of my passengers is involved, and save the brakes for coming to a complete stop.
Mine freaked me too when it downshifted for the first time and the RPM's went nuts. I immediately took the button off and thought something was wrong. I was going fairly fast on a downgrade anyway. There is somewhat of a sweetspot on these where they are not downshifting into a very low gear but are still providing resistance.
Mine freaked me too when it downshifted for the first time and the RPM's went nuts. I immediately took the button off and thought something was wrong. I was going fairly fast on a downgrade anyway. There is somewhat of a sweetspot on these where they are not downshifting into a very low gear but are still providing resistance.
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From: MARYLAND
when u tow somehting heavy put it in tow/haul and drive on. It WILL NOT RUIN your transmission. I have a 04 Excursion Diesel with the tow/haul and a 05 Super Duty with it. I tow trailers all the time with jeeps on them with no problems with them. The Ex has over 50k on it and still going as good as the day i bought it. Switching that switch off and on while driving will cause damage. Turn it on leave it alone.
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Yes, like when mine downshifted the RPM's went to about 3K from 2K. My trailer weighs around 6,500 lbs. I was constantly going up and down hills. I was not going to keep switching in and out of tow/haul mode. This doesn't seem to make any sense either. What is the difference in the automatic downshifting or downshifting manually with a stick shift to hold the vehicle back?
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Originally Posted by Mark Oomkes
How??? Please explain why Ford would design a feature that would cause more harm than good.
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No, but it is what you implied. It will not hurt the transmission, actually it can be better for your transmission which is why they installed it on this transmission. I run mine in T\H all the time, loaded or unloaded.
What it does is changes the shift points holding it in a lower gear longer, so the clutches aren't slipping as much, creating less heat and keeping the line pressures higher so the shifts are firmer. It also uses the engine to help with braking, same basic thing exhaust brakes do on big rigs and they aren't having transmission problems.
Like someone else stated, it's just like downshifting a manual or even an automatic, which I have done before as well.
The only problem could be overrevving the engine.
What it does is changes the shift points holding it in a lower gear longer, so the clutches aren't slipping as much, creating less heat and keeping the line pressures higher so the shifts are firmer. It also uses the engine to help with braking, same basic thing exhaust brakes do on big rigs and they aren't having transmission problems.
Like someone else stated, it's just like downshifting a manual or even an automatic, which I have done before as well.
The only problem could be overrevving the engine.
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Originally Posted by Mark Oomkes
What it does is changes the shift points holding it in a lower gear longer, so the clutches aren't slipping as much,
By using lower gears there is less slip in the torque converter, and the engine is running faster, where it makes more horsepower. The clutches don't slip in or out of tow/haul.
Originally Posted by Mark Oomkes
The only problem could be overrevving the engine.
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