What gear do I use to tow in an Auto

Thanks Captain, I was hoping that that was the case.

Regards,

Snoopy2

My advice would be similar to Captains but:-

1)Ask for the 6th gear upgrade. It's free and will make your 200 go into 6th easier. But you only get it if you ask for it.
2)Put it in 6th, then leave it there as per the new instructions you get with the upgrade. It will easily drop back to 5th ( or less) if you load it up on a hill so you won't overload the overdrive.
3)Drive at 103 ( indicated) and it will sit on 1450 rpm all day on flat roads for best economy. You will get better economy at that speed than you will at 90 or 95.

Also don't be afraid to put your foot down. after 500- 1000km, it beds in better than if you pussyfoot it.

Hi Boobook,

I have heard about and forgotten about the 6th gear upgrade. How do they actually "install" it? Is it a simple switch flick or computer re-program or is it something more involved.

Yes, I agree with you on putting your foot don a bit in the early Klms. Working the enging at different rev/speed randes is good during the running in process.

Regards and thanks,

Sn00py2

They reprogram it through the ODB2 port under the steering wheel with their tech tool ( I think) . Takes 10 mins. They should also give you a new page to put in the user manual.

Hi All,

Thank you to everyone for your thoughts. I will be contacting the Dealer to get the upgrade so 6th gear will be useable at lower speeds without the need to reset it each time.

Can't wait for it to arrive.

Regards and thanks

Snoopy2

Hi Snoopy2,

Think carefully about altering the change pattern, it's NOT REVERSIBLE. My service manager advised me one guy was so disappointed he complained to Toyota, without success and then forked out $6000 for a new computer.

Having the engine slog in a higher gear does not necessarily mean better economy.

Towing our van 90-95 returns 19l/100k which seems to be the norm when talking to other van owners.

Cheers

Racey

What drugs was your service manager on!!!

The new program only activates when you go into the sports mode and then change up to S6. If you leave it in D, then its the same program as before. To use the new program you have to go to S6 every time, I would PREFER to be able to use it every time, not just after changing to S6.

Forking out $6k for a new computer, well sounds like someone is having a lend of either you or your mate. The program only affects 5th & 6th gear by changing slightly earlier, have never heard of a single person complaining about it, its very subtle and in reality just upshifts 5-10 km/hr earlier.

This sounds more like another friend of a friend's story....

Cheers

Captain

Racey, I call total BS on that friend of a friend ( FoaF) story. I think you have been led up a stray.

Why?
1) What Captain said x 2
2) Because it runs so much better.
3) It does improve economy ( for me anyway)
4) If the FoaF *really* has an issue with the new selection mode of 6th then he doesn't have to use it! Just leave it in D and all is the same as before.

The story makes no sense at all.

Sorry guy's,

I'm only passing on the comments of my local Toyota service manager.
If you are so confident in the conversion what are the improvements in economy you are experiencing?

Cheers
Racey

Hi Racey,

I didn't claim any fuel improvement, as I rarely travel outside of the metro area without my camper behind. But for the odd time I do, I reckon I see up to a 0.5L/100km difference. But... the EGT temp goes up by around 20-30C too.

I would be really worried if a Toyota Service manager knew that little about the vehicles they service - what dealership did he work for? Me thinks I am being played by a troll....

Cheers

Captain

Racey I am not sure of an overall average improvement. I do know that if you are on a long flat road and it drops into 6th, the fuel economy improves about 1 - 2 l/100km as indicated by the trip computer.

I think you really should change dealers. Something does not add up.

Gee I am glad I read this thread. I will have to change dealers as well.
When I was getting a service last week I told them I thought my Toyota was changing into 4th gear to early.
He said he would check & see if my car had the latest DOWNLOAD.
That dill called it a DOWNLOAD & not an UPGRADE.
I'll have to tell him he doesn't know what he is talking about.

Hi everyone,

I didn't want to start an argument but thank you everyone for your thoughts. To me it sounds reasonable that they would make the upgrade "standard" in Australia but then you can never be certain. I will check it out once the car arrives and if it won't go into 6th at say 100kph then I will get the dealer to install the upgrade at the first inspection which I believe is 1000klms.

Other than that, it sounds like everyone is enjoying their 200's and they are great for towing and touring. I'll be sad to see my old girl (100 series) go but avter 11 years and 300,000+ klms she has never let me down.

Chrres to all,

Sn00py2

Snoopy, from what my dealer told me, they will never make the upgrade standard for a good reason.

As he explained it, the 200's emmissions are higher at 1400 rpm than at about 1800 at 100kmph during test conditions. By "tweeking" the way the auto behaves, they meet Euro 5 emissions, but if it drops into sixth at 100kmph it just misses out.

Not as nice to drive that way - but it gets a tick for Euro 5.

But if the Driver asks for a mod to the way it behaves, and deliberately selects the 6th gear option every time he drives, then this is considered "driver behaviour" and is out of Toyota's control. As I understand it the Toyota lawyers said this is ok.

The whole thing makes sense when you look at it with this in mind. And that's why they generally won't offer it up front.