Drive with your 4th gear on a 2003 V8, Good or bad?

[Tilmoney]

So I took a trip from Vegas back to Arizona this weekend and my little 03 v8 4x4 couldn't get pass 55 mph on some of the hills while little smart cars and such zoomed right by. :-/

The question now is that, on my way back, instead of using the overdrive, I placed it on 4th gear and drove like that for 300 miles.

Was that a bad idea? :cry2:

 

[RaceTRaCk]

You use more fuel and create more wear on the components but its better to use lower gear than lug it in high gear. I usually gear down on hills but always put it back in drive =.

 

[Gdmeadors]

I would be more concerned about the lack of power in your V8. I have a 2006 V8 4wd and definitely never feel that I lack power going up hills.

 

[Tilmoney]

I have no idea why it's so weak :-/ it's decent on regular street but horrible with hills. Any suggestions for me to check and see what's wrong with it?

 

[MarkinWMich]

Those that tow or are running up and down inclines will often keep it in 4th, instead of having the transmission "hunting" between 4th and 5th. It's likely harder on the transmission if it is frequently running up and down the gears under load. As far as your engine goes, you probably found out you were running in the neighborhood of 2500rpm vs. 2000rpm...which is not an issue, at all. So, to answer your question...NO, it isn't a problem keeping it in 4th.

Now, for the issues as to why an otherwise, unloaded V8 4Runner would seem to have a lack of power, well, that might be something for your mechanic to address. There is a long list of things that may be contributing. However, before that, I would make sure you have the basics down, like a good tune-up (new performance spark plugs, a good synthetic oil, air filter,...you get the idea).

 

[Tilmoney]

I have changed all of the plugs and replaced all of the oils few weeks ago, timing belt was done this week and always use 91 octane gas :-( maybe it's just old now? Or probably will take it back to the shop later this month. Thank you for all of your helps, guys

 

[Good351]

One thing to consider is the fuel you were using.. I've had 2 V6 Tacoma's out west in the mountains, both did not like using the 85 octane gas available out there.. Switching to a gas above 90 produced way better mileage and plenty of power for the mountains.

 

[Radial GT]

Was it acting like this before the timing belt? The engine might not be timed correctly. That would result in a lack of power.

 

[sasha11]

This ain't right. Get a can of carburetor/throttle body cleaner and use, maybe 2 cans And change your air filter.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

Which roads did you take back to Arizona? I have done that trip many times and depending on what way you go there are some steep hills but certainly not the entire way. Leave it in 4th on the steep hills and overdrive the rest of the time. I constantly shift back and forth as needed. Also leave it in 4th going down long hills to keep from riding the brakes, sometimes even 3rd is needed. Anytime you drop down to the Colorado river and then climb back into the mountains it is hard work but I doubt any Smart cars will pass you.

 

[ddnww]

i have the v6 with 285 muds roof rack and lightbar and theres some pretty steep climbs in arizona. I think my v6 is still has plenty of power, but i always go down a gear on the hills and thats usually doing between 65-80mph.

 

[m85476585]

Did running it in 4 help? The transmission should shift for you when you give it more gas, so the only difference would be if it isn't shifting right away because it thinks it doesn't need to.

Don't be afraid to give it some gas going up hill! When I had a civic, to get up any steep mountain grade my foot would be to the floor the whole way. It had a max speed of 65 going uphill because that's where 2nd gear would hit redline and it would have to shift to 3rd. But 3rd was designed for too much efficiency, so it was below the power band. One time it stayed in 3rd for some reason, and my speed dropped from over 65 to about 45 before it decided to shift, with the pedal to the floor the whole time! If it had gotten much slower I probably would have had to go back down to get a running start! If I went into a hill at more like 70-75 it could usually maintain it, but there are not a lot of mountain grades where you can drive that fast around here.

The old pre-VVT-i V8 actually has less power but more torque than the V6.

 

[Tilmoney]

it was like this before the timing belt too so I'm not sure what's going on with it and I always take the 93 from NV to AZ.

I also changed the airfilter about 1000 miles ago

It does feels like something is holding it back because I basically floored it going up some of the hills using overdrive and would not get pass the 60 mark.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

Other than several spots near Kingman and the Hoover dam 93 is pretty easy.
You should be able to run overdive most of the way.

 

[m85476585]

There are some good tips in this thread:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/179747-bring-back-power.html

 

[JB.]

So I took a trip from Vegas back to Arizona this weekend and my little 03 v8 4x4 couldn't get pass 55 mph on some of the hills while little smart cars and such zoomed right by. :-/

The question now is that, on my way back, instead of using the overdrive, I placed it on 4th gear and drove like that for 300 miles.

Was that a bad idea? :cry2:

Not only is it not a bad idea, it's usually a good idea on long hills. I can understand just leaving it in 4th. Coming back to vegas going south on I-15 the prevailing wind is often 12-15mph from the SW. Going 80mph and having a roof rack, I often just put it in 4th gear when using cruise control to avoid the gear hunting. Even when not using cruise, I enjoy the instant power availability in 4th and often leave it there.

It doesn't sound to me like you have any problem except that the transmission is habituated to being slow to downshift out of 5th gear. I'm often amazed how far down the pedal can be pushed in 5th gear without a shift.

If you're getting passed by smart cars with the shifter in 4th gear, then you've got a problem.

 

[RYNOTOY]

Sounds like it is weak sauce to me....

I would have the exhaust back pressure checked (for clogged converters or a muffler that is coming apart inside).

New air filter if the old one is due a change

Run some seafoam and b-12 fuel system cleaner through it
( you may have a bunch of crud on your intake valves)

Suck the seafoam through a vacuum line as directed.

Clean the MAF and the throttle body

Inspect and replace upstream O2 sensors (doesn't affect open loop power, but does affect part throttle power and mileage if sensor readings are erroneous)


Unhook battery cable and reset computer after doing these steps.


My $.02

 

[Tilmoney]

I will definitely run the seafoam. I did it in the gas tank before but not the vacuum so maybe that will be next.

 

[97hb]

Lockup is weak on the aisins. Seen them break on the dyno on big hp cars(600whp+), we usually dyno on the converter, it's way stronger. This is the 340s don't know about the 750s

 

[Antoddio]

You might want to do a compression test to see if there is a cylinder problem. What you are describing is not normal. 1) It should kick down to lower gear pretty easily, I wouldn't expect it to climb hills in 5th. That's pretty normal for all cars. 2) I've pulled a 6500lb boat for prob 5000 miles over the life of the 4runner in 4th gear, that is normal practice when towing 3) I can pull that same boat up mountains (WV and VA) at 70 mph, usually in 4th gear, sometimes in 3rd. I could even go faster if I wanted but that's not necessary.

Sounds like you have some issue with your engine or transmission, or this is your first car. Good luck!