Toyota 4 Runner V8 (2008).
Here is, to me, alarming information on page 167 of my factory owners manual.
"Do not continue hill climbing or hard towing for a long time (how long is "long"?) in "3", "2", or "L" position. This may cause severe automatic transmissin damage from overheating. To prevent such damage, "4" position should be used in hill climbing or hard towing".
Now my interpretation of this statement is to use overdrive for towing unless climbing a short hill!
This is contrary to what I have been told in the past and sure contradicts good information throughout this thread.
I contacted my local Toyota service department and they said to downshift on hilly terrain.
I contacted Toyota customer support, they said to downshift when on hilly terrain.
Of course I agree with the downshift policy.
I suggested the customer service folks might want to take a look at the owners manual and consider a change in their statement or they are goiing to pay for a lot of burned up automatic transmissions.
They said they would make a note of it, yeah sure!
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