4wd low Jerky or Jumpy

[MuddyButt]

Was exercising my 4wd system today. Ive noticed this before when on level ground but Im curious if it's normal. When I'm in 4low and easing on the gas my rpms rise steadily and then My 4runner shifts really hard jerking my head back (not being a girl). If I give it more gas in 4low its not as noticeable but obviously still very torquey. I did find that putting it in 4low and with the shifter knob in 2nd gear its much smoother. Not sure if thats recommended or not but this seems to be the best combination for me. Anyone able to confirm if this is normal or if me putting the shifter knob in 2nd gear is okay?

 

[mtbtim]

Was exercising my 4wd system today. Ive noticed this before when on level ground but Im curious if it's normal. When I'm in 4low and easing on the gas my rpms rise steadily and then My 4runner shifts really hard jerking my head back (not being a girl). If I give it more gas in 4low its not as noticeable but obviously still very torquey. I did find that putting it in 4low and with the shifter knob in 2nd gear its much smoother. Not sure if thats recommended or not but this seems to be the best combination for me. Anyone able to confirm if this is normal or if me putting the shifter knob in 2nd gear is okay?

It's normal at least from my experience. When you're transfer case is in 4low and you're in drive, the transmission is going to shift into the next gear at a certain speed and yes it's a jerky because it's such a low gear with a lot of torque. Sorry, can't really explain it any better than that. The reason why it's smoother in 2 is because you're forcing the transmission to stay into the lower gear and not shift up.

You can put your transmission shifter selector in any gear you want. When you do that, you're basically using your automatic transmission like a manual transmission. I think most people who drive don't know they can use an automatic transmission in this way. When going down a steep grade, instead of keeping your transmission in drive and riding your brakes the whole way down, you can use what's called "Engine Braking". You can first try turning off your overdrive to shift down raising the engine rpms and if that's not enough, shift down into 2. And, if you're going down a seriously steep hill, you can use L. Being in 4low and with the transmission in L will let you creep down a steep trail without having to touch the brakes.

 

[MuddyButt]

Thanks. I just didnt want to do any harm to my transmission

 

[csp]

You can put your transmission shifter selector in any gear you want. When you do that, you're basically using your automatic transmission like a manual transmission.

Kinda sorta like a manual. With a manual and you put it in second you're always in second. With an auto in 2 you limit upshifting to second gear, but come to a stop and it will still automatically downshift to first and start out from a stop in first, then shift up to second. In L it will never leave first gear.

 

[mountain mike]

Kinda sorta like a manual. With a manual and you put it in second you're always in second. With an auto in 2 you limit upshifting to second gear, but come to a stop and it will still automatically downshift to first and start out from a stop in first, then shift up to second. In L it will never leave first gear.

I believe when you're in 4low if you put it in 2nd, it will be in 2nd and not use 1st. If you are in 4high or 2wd then you are correct it will use that gear as a limit.

 

[csp]

You know, I have never tested that in my 4Runner. You could very well be correct with that.

 

[AZBub]

learn something new every day.

 

[alumarine]

I believe when you're in 4low if you put it in 2nd, it will be in 2nd and not use 1st. If you are in 4high or 2wd then you are correct it will use that gear as a limit.

Just tested my 2000. I have the lever type, no button.

When in 4-Low whether starting off with the selector in D or 2 it goes through 1st gear first.

My 2cnd gens work the same way.

 

[mountain mike]

Just tested my 2000. I have the lever type, no button.

When in 4-Low whether starting off with the selector in D or 2 it goes through 1st gear first.

My 2cnd gens work the same way.

Well crap, now I'm going to have to go test it. I'm almost positive that my 2001 will hold 2nd and not use first while in 4lo. But I do live in Colorado and my short term memory isn't what it used to be.

 

[mountain mike]

Got out for a little run this past weekend and verified on my 01 mulit mode if I am in 4LO and put the transmission in second it will start off in second and hold it there, locking itself out of first.

 

[jgue467]

...I'm almost positive that my 2001 will hold 2nd and not use first while in 4lo. But I do live in Colorado and my short term memory isn't what it used to be.

Here in texas I have both 'problems' too mountain mike! :cowboy:

 

[JohnMc]

But I do live in Colorado and my short term memory isn't what it used to be.

Couldn't you have gotten this update to us 5 days earlier? Lol.

 

[EMC 4Runner]

It should hold second in 2 HI also. When I lived up north shifting to 2nd was very common on all of my automatics to avoid wheel spin when starting from a complete standstill. I have yet to drive any automatic that did not have this feature.