Learning to drive an automatic...

[GhostRing]

In an attempt at the dumbest thread I'd started just about anywhere:

I've never owned an auto before (83 P/U SR5, 87 T4R SR5, 94 T4R SR5)
and my new '98 LTD is a slight mystery to me offroad.
I feel I am on the brakes WAY more than I ever was before.
Steeper decents are kinda funky now. Not skidding, but close sometimes.
Just a runaway feeling a little too often. Long gears...

For general trail cruising, in 4HI should I hang out in 2 or L?
The only real reduction is 4LO but I can't keep it in 2nd anymore?
I prefer 4LO as it calms everything down and no need to bash over things.

What about ECT? on/off?

What about stops on steep inclines? will it roll backwards in D?
I've been left-foot braking to keep it under control.

Seems so stupid that I can rock a 5 speed out there, 3 footing, clutch
feathering, etc, but this "simple" tranny confuses the heck out of me! :tongue1:

 

[confyushus]

I waited and searched for a 5spd for that very reason. When I drive the GFs car, I have to basically wedge my left foot under the seat to keep from stepping on the "clutch" and throwing both of us into the dash. Good luck, I'm sure someone on here can help.

 

[Castaway]

I can't say for sure what happens in 4lo. But ECT changes the shift points on my automatic so the engine can rev higher before shifting in 2wd and 4hi. It may do other things also, but I know it does the above. That being said I do a lot of short hops from my apartment to University and back so I leave ECT on to keep the tranny from spending the whole trip shifting up and down.

As for Trail work, I have no clue. We don't exactly have a lot of trails in MS

 

[BrianSD_42]

just be sure to stop the vehicle completely when switching from 4HI to 4LO.