TOWING IN PWR MODE 200 SERIES
Submitted: Thursday, Dec 15, 2022 at 11:42
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Member - Broodie H3
hI ALL 200 SERIES DRIVERS,
I have just got back from Pemberton trip just a quick four day trip, and normally I tow in the eco mode but this time I tried the power mode just to see if there was any difference in performance, and fuel economy. The extra power was very noticeable, but the fuel economy has got me confused.
We tow a 23ft caravan weight around 2850 tonne, with an extra 2inches height in the chassis which adds to the wind factor that I have to live with.
the fuel economy worked out with pad and pencil came back exactly the same as I normally get out of towing with the economy mode of towing . the question is should I have got a different result economy wise, normally in economy I get 18.5 to 19.5, speed at 95 klm/hr up to 100 klm/hr. I thought that the power mode would be worse. Our 200 is not modified except for a nudge bar and spot lights on the front and an awning on the side and two other cross bars on the roof to take the max tracks
I need to upgrade my photo
Reply By: Member - Jim S1 - Thursday, Dec 15, 2022 at 12:57
Thursday, Dec 15, 2022 at 12:57
Must be more efficient in power mode in your case. Happy days !!!!
Cheers
Jim
| "Sometimes I sits and thinks, and sometimes I just sits." A fisherman.
"No road is long with good company." TraditionalLifetime Member
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AnswerID:
642316
Reply By: Gbc.. - Thursday, Dec 15, 2022 at 13:42
Thursday, Dec 15, 2022 at 13:42
The differences and savings will be all found in the gearbox holding gears and locking the torque converter for longer rather than continually trying to change up.
AnswerID:
642317
Reply By: Member BarryG - Thursday, Dec 15, 2022 at 14:25
Thursday, Dec 15, 2022 at 14:25
My understanding of the Power mode is simply a more responsive throttle. You don't have to push down as hard for a given response. There is actually no more Power, so therefore you will see similar performance on a trip, but may get worse around town if you use the extra responsiveness a lot. At least, that's what I have seen in my 200 (towing a 3.2t van from
Anglesea, Vic to
Broome and back a couple of times).
AnswerID:
642319
Reply By: Rob A1 (SA) - Thursday, Dec 15, 2022 at 16:58
Thursday, Dec 15, 2022 at 16:58
Power mode does nothing but change the shift points in the auto. Just revs more
If you RTFM you will find towing in S mode, not power mode is recommended.
We're heavy with steel bar fitted with 12000lb Warn plus 3853kg GVM upgrade, drawers and a three battery setup. On the roof platform, second spare, 60kg of fuel and 4x maxtrax. Tyres are Nitto RidgeGrapplers. So nothing light about the 200.
We did 14500km on this years trip towing an AOR Matrix at 2500kg. All done in S mode with barely a time, apart from NT highways, when we moved to S5. We have a Scangauge fitted and take very accurate fuel consumption checks. In this mode, compared to D we reduced fuel consumption by a measured and averaged 5-6l per 100km over the total distance. Total averaged consumption was 21.3l per 100km.
Rob
AnswerID:
642320
Follow Up By: kgarn - Thursday, Dec 15, 2022 at 18:30
Thursday, Dec 15, 2022 at 18:30
"S" Mode and ECT/Power Modes are separate modes and not mutually exclusive.
One can select S Mode and Power at the same time (or not).
For towing a trailer the manual (at least
mine does) suggests towing in S4, but there is no mention of avoiding ECT/Power mode.
Ken
FollowupID:
921815
Follow Up By: Member BarryG - Thursday, Dec 15, 2022 at 19:03
Thursday, Dec 15, 2022 at 19:03
Are you sure it changes shift-points. I have never noticed any difference in that.
FollowupID:
921816
Follow Up By: Member - Boobook - Friday, Dec 16, 2022 at 06:36
Friday, Dec 16, 2022 at 06:36
Pre 2015 facelift, the PWR switch does nothing, or virtually nothing.
In the MY 2016 year plus, it only appears to make the throttle more sensitive. An inbuilt OE throttle controller. As far as I can see it does nothing for the shift points which only appear to change because the throttle is demanding more power. You can prove this by using cruise control and turning PWR on and off. Nothing happens regardless of the RPM.
S mode and PWR are two completely different things, as mentioned. The Manual only mentions S mode for towing.
FollowupID:
921821
Follow Up By: Member - Broodie H3 - Friday, Dec 16, 2022 at 11:16
Friday, Dec 16, 2022 at 11:16
good morning gentlemen,
I found towing in the power mode with cruise control on I did this as an experiment to see what would happen the gear box seemed to hold the gears a lot better going up a
hill and selecting third going down steep inclines I didn't need to touch the brakes as often as the engine did the braking for me. It was like driving a truck down
hill using an exhaust brake, I was very impressed. As we are heading for tassie just after Christmas it was good to know that I don't have to wear out my brakes going down hills as I believe tassie is a very steep and hilly state, never been there before looking forward to getting there. thank you for your replies fellas and a merry Christmas to all
FollowupID:
921824
Follow Up By: Member BarryG - Friday, Dec 16, 2022 at 11:34
Friday, Dec 16, 2022 at 11:34
Broodie,
I have an UltraGauge set up to show me what gear the transmission is in as
well as the auto temps. I have found that cruise control will ALWAYS try to hold the speed on a downhill stretch by shifting down and then using engine braking. This is independent of the PWR button. Love that it works this way - especially with a heavy van on - preventing runaways or extended braking down hills.
FollowupID:
921825
Follow Up By: Member - Jim S1 - Friday, Dec 16, 2022 at 14:37
Friday, Dec 16, 2022 at 14:37
Hi Broodie
Not only is Tassie pretty hilly, but roads are mainly pretty narrow, with dips and hollows to throw the van around. Slow and steady is the name of the game.
There are a few decent freeway type roads, but where we wanted to go it was not freeway type driving.
Otherwise , Tassie is a really great place to visit and tour.
Cheers
Jim
| "Sometimes I sits and thinks, and sometimes I just sits." A fisherman.
"No road is long with good company." TraditionalLifetime Member
My Profile My Position Send Message |
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Member - McLaren3030 - Saturday, Dec 17, 2022 at 07:51
Saturday, Dec 17, 2022 at 07:51
Agree with Barrie G’s comment regarding cruise control and going down
hill. Use it all the time on the highway, regardless of whether or not I am towing.
Macca.
FollowupID:
921839
Reply By: Member - DOZER - Saturday, Dec 17, 2022 at 12:53
Saturday, Dec 17, 2022 at 12:53
power mode in a 2012 holds gears longer on acceleration, it may as
well be called towing mode for ppl wanting to tow in D. 5th doesnt get selected till 80km/hr, which suits many towing heavy, as on coast your in 5 but on acceleration/(hills) your in 4th
AnswerID:
642340