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Old 11-28-2017, 04:43 PM   #1
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Tow Mode or not????

Hi all,

I am towing a new Kodiak with a 2008 Avalanche. It has under 100,000 miles and has been maintained well with synthetic oils and such.

It has the Tow Mode option. My question: Is that the way to go or is it ok/better to put transmission in 3rd and not use tow mode?

I towed the unit home 200 miles in tow mode and it would do some serious downshifts and maintain that hi rpm when ever it thought it was necessary. I understand the rationale behind that. It was a bit hilly terrain on the interstate. But screaming at 4000 plus RPM to get up a hill gets old Haha

I have heard that some people forget tow mode and just use the 3rd position, avoiding the overdrive, which is apparently inherently weak.

Thanks for any insights.

Bill
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Old 11-28-2017, 05:00 PM   #2
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I use it on my 2016 Colorado(6 speed), it holds the shifts a lot longer and seems to work really well even on the big hills. If you think you can get up hills with less rpm's, I see nothing wrong with leaving it in 3rd, that's what I did in my old fullsize Chevy with the V-8. I don't think the tow/haul mode worked near as well on the older Chevy's. The best thing you can do for your transmission is put a cooler on it, if it doesn't already have one.
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Old 11-28-2017, 05:04 PM   #3
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I think there has been some major improvement in tow mode. I use it when pulling our trailer and it seems to work very good up and downhill. Ours is a 2015 2.7 F150 eco boost.
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Old 11-28-2017, 05:16 PM   #4
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I use it on my 2016 Colorado(6 speed), it holds the shifts a lot longer and seems to work really well even on the big hills. If you think you can get up hills with less rpm's, I see nothing wrong with leaving it in 3rd, that's what I did in my old fullsize Chevy with the V-8. I don't think the tow/haul mode worked near as well on the older Chevy's. The best thing you can do for your transmission is put a cooler on it, if it doesn't already have one.
Thanks for that info. I will check to see if it has a tranny cooler. It does have a tranny temperature monitor, so maybe it has the cooler also.

I guess I will try both modes on similar terrain and see what happens. As long as it does not bog the engine down, 3rd may work ok.

Thanks again,
Bill
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Old 11-28-2017, 05:21 PM   #5
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Originally Posted by chily3 View Post
I think there has been some major improvement in tow mode. I use it when pulling our trailer and it seems to work very good up and downhill. Ours is a 2015 2.7 F150 eco boost.

Thanks for the response.
Your F150 has a 2.7 liter engine?? Wow that is interesting.
Just googled it.....aha dual turbos!! Nice!
How is the gas mileage?

Bill
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Old 11-28-2017, 06:39 PM   #6
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I find TOW MODE works good for me but occasionally I make it shift into overdrive (take tow mode off) while on flat roads. tow mode downshifts really nicely when stopping and going downhill. I drive a '16 Nissan XD PR with the cummins engine and tow 12000 pounds.
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Old 11-28-2017, 07:48 PM   #7
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I find TOW MODE works good for me but occasionally I make it shift into overdrive (take tow mode off) while on flat roads. tow mode downshifts really nicely when stopping and going downhill. I drive a '16 Nissan XD PR with the cummins engine and tow 12000 pounds.
Thanks, I think Tow Mode does give you the advantage of engine braking. I will verify this on the next hill. I know that in normal mode, down hill, this Avalanche will keep speeding up. I guess the tranny is set up that way for economy.

Now I have to google another vehicle ..............Nissan XD PR.

Have fun
Bill
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Old 11-28-2017, 10:05 PM   #8
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platinum reserve = PR
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Old 11-29-2017, 01:04 AM   #9
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platinum reserve = PR
Platinum reserve? Is that a truck or a cheap bottle of whiskey?
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Old 11-29-2017, 02:55 AM   #10
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Originally Posted by franktafl View Post
platinum reserve = PR
Found it.......
Attached Thumbnails
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Old 11-29-2017, 02:56 AM   #11
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Platinum reserve? Is that a truck or a cheap bottle of whiskey?
You are going to make me go there.......LOL

Its SAKI..............
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Old 11-29-2017, 09:34 AM   #12
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Platinum reserve? Is that a truck or a cheap bottle of whiskey?
Around here that would be the name of a "Gentlemen's" Club

Aaron
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Old 11-29-2017, 10:41 AM   #13
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Found it.......
more like this one...
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Old 11-29-2017, 10:45 AM   #14
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Platinum reserve? Is that a truck or a cheap bottle of whiskey?
bottle yes, truck no!
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Old 11-29-2017, 02:33 PM   #15
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Around here that would be the name of a "Gentlemen's" Club

Aaron

"Gentleman" leaves me out..........not to mention the "war department" would probably frown on it......hahaha
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Old 11-29-2017, 04:09 PM   #16
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more like this one...
Nice !
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Old 11-29-2017, 07:32 PM   #17
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I use the mode on my truck in the mountains when going downhill and when getting off the expressway. Basically, I use it only for slowing down. Yes, the shift points change when speeding up which I don't like. Its the way I handle the tow mode
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Old 11-29-2017, 08:13 PM   #18
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I use the mode on my truck in the mountains when going downhill and when getting off the expressway. Basically, I use it only for slowing down. Yes, the shift points change when speeding up which I don't like. Its the way I handle the tow mode

Gotcha, thanks.

I tend to agree that some common sense applied and based on particular circumstance. may require one or the other.

I think the Avalanche TOW MODE is a bit too aggressive in maintaining RPM.

Have fun
Bill
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Old 11-29-2017, 08:29 PM   #19
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tow mode has higher shift points than the regular drive mode. It will maintain a gear until RPM reaches a comfortable level then shift. It downshifts to utilize engine braking where drive mode would not do that. it will hold 5th longer than I like so I usually take it out of tow mode so it will shift to 6th (sometimes but not always). The transmission and computer are supposed to be able to LEARN your driving habits (but I have NOT confirmed that). After an ECM reprogram I have heard that it starts all over again (learning).

https://www.yourmechanic.com/questio...rk-by-joshua-f

Here's the skinny on the transmission:
• Perpetually learning TCM logic adjusts transmission shift pressures and timing in order to provide smooth, positive shifts and compensate for differences in shift solenoid performance from transmission to transmission.
http://www.dieselhub.com/trans/aisin-a466nd.html

This is a pretty cool write-up on the engine and truck...

http://www.dieselhub.com/halfton/nissan-titan-xd.html
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Old 11-29-2017, 10:19 PM   #20
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I am not sure that the 2008 Chevy has the "adaptive" transmission module.

We use a lot of Chevy's at work (sucks to be a Ford guy ) I have never liked the Tow/Haul button on the older ones. From what I gather the newer ones are better. Currently the only thing I own with a Tow/Haul button on it is my 2016 E-450 V-10 6 speed automatic. I use it.. a lot! It provides automatic engine braking and downshifts and I have not noticed any really high RPM except on some really brutal uphills, but I figure Ford knew what they were doing with their programming so I let it do what it wants.

There is one after market tuning kit for transmissions that seems to be one of the best for towing and RV's. Do a search for Five Star Tuning. I don't have one but have heard a lot of good reports about it, especially on the older transmissions.

Aaron
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