Driving 5 Spd in 4th, opposed to DRIVE??

[thomasugenius]

I have a 04 4WD / V8 Sport with a 5 speed that I have been driving in 4th gear, rather than DRIVE! I just read the manual last night and realized that I’m an idiot for not reading it before. I have babied this thing for the last 2000 miles, constantly adjusting my speed from an average of 50 MPH – to 65 MHP, 90% highway. HOWEVER, I’VE BEEN DRIVING IN GEAR 4, opposed to DRIVE! I doubt this has helped, but has it HURT the Transmission???? What’s nice is that I was seeing an AVG of 17.5 MPH in 4th, and now that I have learned to read, I show an average of 22.5 MPH. I just changed to Mobil 1 synthetic which might contribute to the increase of gas mileage as well. Damage done??Comments much appreciated!

 

[EDGE]

You live you learn and then you get LUVS, wait this is not about diapers don't sweat it at most you where driving 500RPM higher on the tach but with the 4.7 it was cool thing is a beast, no damage done just continue to drive in D: if you did not notice what you where doing until you read the owners manual then their was not enough of a difference, at most you lost a mile or 2 for each gallon

 

[bluewolf]

Damage done??Comments much appreciated!

No damage whatsoever. Like Edge said, the worst that has happened is your gas mileage has been a couple mpg lower than it should have been. No worries.

Just give your truck a pat on the hood and tell it you're very sorry for making it work slightly harder than it had to. It will forgive you... 4Runners don't hold grudges.

 

[Good Times]

i think you're gonna have to hand over your keys and let me drive it now

in all seriousness, you shouldn't have to worry one bit. driving in "4" is normal if you tow anyway so it will have no permanent problems what so ever. Just keep on driving and enjoy the ride!

 

[dancojgl]

No harm at all.

Fourth is your 1:1 gear. In "Drive" you can get to 5th gear, which is overdrive...

—Dan

 

[TRD04RUNNER]

I drive in my 3 gear all the time when i goning under 60 MPH and in stop and go traffic ! keep the tranmission from shifting to OD when it don't need to!

 

[bulldog-yota]

I think you might have damaged your engine and drivetrain







By babying it too much!!!

On a serious note, no prob you probably helped to run it in a bit better. But 4Runners should be driven, babying a vehicle too much is almost just as bad as driving it like you stole it.

 

[toyo]

Lord, I need another drink after reading this one.

 

[4RunnerLaker]

I think you might have damaged your engine and drivetrain







By babying it too much!!!


hahaha...


Yeah I did the same mistake doode, and now I'm at like 21,000 miles and the car feels perfectly fine. The engine in the v8 is so good, I didn't notice the rpm's moving slightly either. Like everyone else said, don't sweat it, we probably just broke the engine in a bit faster than others.