How do I drive an automatic?

[CptClinac]

Hi guys,
Sounds real easy. But I'm really after some finer details here.
My problem is that my 4.2 not turbo automatic is performing far worse than my old terrano (2.7turbo) manual did.
I bought the truck as a tow vehicle for a very heavy trailer boat and NZ is quite hilly.
The way it feels is that when I start to go up a hill, the engine keeps working but the slush box doesn't push enough work to the wheels, hence slow speed on moderate hills and bad fuel consumption figures.

Is there a technique to make the torque converter lock up and get the power to the wheels?
Also the thing 'slips' lots at 50kph (on my speedo!!!) which also seems wasteful. Any around town driving tips to improve consumption.

Don't realy want to drop a manual box in (or swap for a (wash-my-mouth-out) Toyota landcruiser) but I do need a good beefy tow truck for the boat.

Thanks to all those 'gurus' out there in Safari land.

Dave

[my third 256]

have you had a service on the auto box sounds like it is slipping then they can tell you if there is any problems

[Benno7]

Hi mate
Take it in and get the auto serviced and if it doesn't already have it put a nice big trans cooler on.
and start looking at what turbo kit to bang on it. all N/A td42s lack a turbo.

[CptClinac]

Hi gang,
Aftermarket cooler fitted and checked.
Had it in to 2 trans specialists to check. they road tested it and assure me that it is all working as per spec. the first suggested a 'new fluid and fill with synthetic - as this does higher temp better'. The 2nd suggested all is well except that it changes up a little early.

:(
Dave

[NissanGQ4.2]

This is what I would look at doing 2 my Auto is I had the spare money

High Performance Valve Body

http://www.automatictransmission.com.au/release.asp?NewsId=19197

Nissan Patrol Stand Alone Transmission Computer System ( comes with lockup kit )

http://www.automatictransmission.com.au/release.asp?NewsId=40338

You can buy a TC lockup kit, or build your own. Do a search or ask Chaz on here, he has built his own.

Torque Convertor Lock-Up Manual Control Kit Suit Most Models

http://www.automatictransmission.com.au/release.asp?NewsId=42068


Super Low Stall V8 Convertors For Both Toyota Land Cruiser & Nissan Patrol

http://www.automatictransmission.com.au/release.asp?NewsId=24346

And I drive my automatic like its stolen! *L*

[macca86]

on the hills drive it like a manual

[twisty]

Change the ATF anyway and a new filter/gasket kit. I use Castrol TransmaxZ. Made a difference to mine (http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/showthread.php?8179-GU1-Auto-Trans-not-engaging). Yeah, and like macca said, drive it like a manual.

[CptClinac]

on the hills drive it like a manual

Hi Macca,
Tried on the flat driving it like a manual. Locked it down to 2, drove off, got up to 60kph, torque converter still not locked.
Also tried 1, up to 45 or so, still no lock.

When we drive on open raod, the truck accelerates OK until 80kph when the TC locks up and then WHOOSH - POWER :clapping:

I am of the opinion that autos are a heap of !@#$%.
I spend more attention trying to get the best out of my truck than I did when driving a manual.
And all this whith more fuel and less power.:1087::frown:

Dave

[macca86]

auto's are great for sand driving. I have a manual and have my zd30 clutch changed to a solid flywheel rather than dual mass one. Sound like you're up for a febuild and get the bands tightend or new stall converter

[Chaz]

Dave,

If you’re prepared to spend some reasonable $$, say $1000 or more, consider a Wholesale Automatics valvebody. That will give you lock up in all gears, but If you’re on a tighter budget, at least consider a TransGo Shiftkit to improve the transmissions strength. Also, change the line pressure dropping resistor from your 12 ohm to at least a 1000 ohm resistor. This will reduce slipping in the transmission, increase its strength and improve gear shifting also.

Never use overdrive (4th) in the city because you have no engine braking in O/D without the converter locked. I only use O/D above 80 and only with the converter locked and I would always drive manually in hilly terrain because the Patrols TCU isn’t the smartest on the block and often doesn’t know which is the ideal gear to be in. They do tend to shift into 2nd too late and 3rd too early, so I just change manually, particularly when needing to downshift.

[CptClinac]

Ok. nearly one year on. Time for an update.
History --- I am old and crusty, driven manuals for all my life. almost exclusively 4 cyl.
My driving habits are well entrenched and hard to break. Add to this my car wants to take control from me and you have a recipe for an unhealthy relationship.

Fortunately my tired old brain is not yet expired and I have realised some interesting factors.
Lets start with 4 cyl vs 6 cyl. Drivers of manuals use audible keys to do gear change. They listen to their engines quite closely. The engine note is dependant on RPM but also on cylinder and stroke type. a 6 cyl 4str. does 3 bangs per rev while a 4 cyl 4str does 2 bangs per rev. Thus to my addled ears the engine was reving at 50% faster than actual.

Also with bad driving habbits, drivers tend to change down too late and under rev their engines. Releasing control to the A/T to do the change down makes lots of sense. I see the appropriate rev range is 1k8 to 3ksomething. My trying to run the truck at 2k was doomed !

I mentioned about the burst of power when the TC locks up. This can be explained by remembering that the diesel pump has a governor inside. When the revs drop on TC lock, the governor winds up the fuel.

All in all I am a convert to A/Ts and like the extra freedom to turn on the indicators or something when I would otherwise by shuffling through the gears, but still occasionally catch myself reaching for the stick or stamping at the empty floor ! ! !

Thanks all for your patience and understanding.
Dave

[taslucas]

Autos are great for 4x4ing. But your'e right, it takes a bit to learn how to drive them and how to get a feel for them. People that dont like them often feel that they slip and cant get the power to the ground but that is just the torque converter doing its thing.

Good to hear you're loving the truck again:)