Green Thunder Oil Analysis Thread...

No dumb questions here! That’s the manual mode when you move the shifter to the left from D.

Initially I thought that was only for manual shifting, but if you move the lever over and don’t shift the truck will just used gears 1-4.

As to your second question I typically use tow/haul mode but not always. I find Toyota’s version of tow/haul to be very annoying…and least for my situation

 

Ok, got it. I use the manual shifting all the time going downhill, but never thought of using it besides that. I will be towing tomorrow, and will definitely try it. Thanks!

 

Anytime, glad to help.

I don’t know what weight you are towing but it made a huge difference in my transmission temps.

 

My trailer weighs about 6500#. Most of my towing with this trailer is short distances (less than 60 miles). It is a BBQ trailer for our catering business.

 

Oh sweet momma. Post a pic!

 

Yeah, so as an example, if you put it in "S4" it'll drive and upshift as normal just like in "D" but it locks out 5th & 6th (which are both overdrive gears)
In my '00 there was an "OD on/off" button, I always turned OD off when towing so it'd only go to 3rd.
I've always heard not to tow in overdrive as the OD gears are inherently weaker than the rest.

I actually found in the SIX HUNDRED AND SEVENTY TWO page manual for my '19 I just got where it says "Always use Tow/Haul when towing or hauling (okay, makes sense) and to tow in "S4".

I'll probably let it have 5th on the flats if it'll hold speed and stay locked up, but I know our Toyota's don't mind singin' along at 2800-3K all day long so I'd prefer that over too much shifting.

 

Thanks for posting your transmission fluid analysis. Definitely a worthwhile contribution in midst of the proverbial shitstorm that the transmission cooler conversation can devolve into.

 

You are welcome. One of my favorite quotes is “In God I trust, all others bring facts and data”.

To be fair, all the data shows is my use doesn’t require a cooler. Everyone else has to extrapolate…but that’s exactly what we all do on forums. We are all different and I respect other’s decisions on the topic. But the issue is a bit one-sided so balance is good.

 

Thought I’d add my tranny report. My use case is nearly identical to Green Thunder’s in post 18. I note nearly identical temps under similar conditions and I monitor it regularly. I had the dealer do the complete flush/exchange they offer. I was concerned the cleaner was put in before the sample was taken, which is why they mentioned it. This is the first change at 52k. I’ll probably do another in 30k and if the metals drop into the normal range as expected, conclude I don’t need the dedicated tranny cooler added on.

 

Wow, our tests are pretty close. Thanks for attaching your results. More data is always good.

 

I thought it added some good info. Especially considering our uses and temps are nearly identical. I’d really like to see 3-4 more reports from folks with similar usage. Would help validate the no cooler needed decision. I’m not going to decide for sure until my next report, but I don’t think I’ll need the cooler.

 

Added my 2nd Schaeffer's report...

 

Just updated the first post with my 3rd and final sample of Schaeffer's 9000 0W-20 oil.

 

After doing some off-roading in July, 90 degrees temps, beginning to lean towards a cooler. The reason is there are lots of places I’d like to be in 4Hi, but I can’t do that and keep tranny temps reasonable. The alternate is to be in 4Lo all the time and deal with slower speeds, or constant stops to shift in and out of 4Lo to 2WD.

 

Yeah, I agree...trail running needs speeds higher than 4lo but running in 4Hi adds the temps. What temperatures were you seeing?

 

I stopped using 4Hi when I saw them heading past 240. Stopped and dropped it into 4Lo or 2WD. Then temp quickly went down below 220. July heat in SE OR.