Outer Limits 4x4 Board

rito... took the new (s/h) 100 series to five rocks yesterday and to be honest was a little dissapointed with my performance..

i have been in 4.5 l cruisers before and they rocked... mine sorta didnt i am thinking the auto was not helping my cause or i was just driving it wrong.. mostly i was in drive and wasnt happy with the gear selection so i guess i should take a little more control...

so... any good tips on offroad work and getting the best out of an auto box

<edit> spelling (some spelling)

I have an auto TD42 Patrol and apart from the lack of engine braking going down hill it is awsome offroad.

I usually select the gear I want to be in when offroad and don't use D for that DatAway.....

Climbing is so controled and not having to worry about the clutch is great.....Loved my manual but reckon the auto is just that step better.

Was so happy with the Auto Patrol I am building an Auto sierra.........

Learn to drive the car and you will learn to appreciate the finer points....

that is the thing... i aintdoubting its ability just yet but i am unsure of many of the finer points of an auto.... and i know that manualing an electronic auto can be bad... as far as i know selecting a low gear and changing up is fine but downchanging can be bad...true?

Nah, don't worry about it. Always drive obstacles with A) the highest gear you want for that obstacle engaged (i.e.. if you don't want more than 2nd, put in it "2") Shift it manually if you feel like it, and ALWAYS left foot brake. This takes a long time to learn, but with your left foot over the brake, you can very very accurately control the torque converter and drive the car with lots of finesse. Every manuak driver will wonder how you made it look so easy.

When descending, engage 1st early and just gently cover the brake with your foot. I have to stop the car in my 300GD to get the box to engage 1st, and I think this is preferable anyway to prevent compression locking.

Some courses teach power braking DOWN hill with the gearbox in L, but I don't personally advocate this.

I do occasionally ease back down hills by leaving the box in 2nd or 1st and use the accelerator as the brake, but this is so counterintuitive to do that it might end in tears. There is also a risk it can lead to an engine stall, which effectively leaves you in neutral with no power steer and no vacuum to boost the brakes..... not fun!

Personally, I don't think auto's are easier or harder to drive than a manual off road, but there is lots to technique to learn. Once you have nailed controlling the converter though, you will look like a legend.

PS 4.5 80's are much harder to drive as an auto than most auto 4WD's - they make sooo much torque low down that they tend to rev through the converter bite point and spin wheels. They need lots of load (i.e big tyres and lockers) to clam them down. Once you have practiced the left foot braking thing though, you will never go back to a manual.

Steve.