We took a road trip for Thanksgiving and I finally had a chance to kind of play around while driving and I started driving in Tow mode just to see if I could tell a difference and other than the firmer shifts and shift points. I noticed that it will accelerate in V4 mode as long as it is a gradual throttle. The instant MPG reading was 20-22 mpg while accelerating vice 8-12 MPG in V8 mode. Is this a fluke or was it planned? One of my major complaints was how sensitive the change over from V4 to V8 on even the slightest acceleration.
Kevin

 

Kevin:

My guess is that was just a fluke. I can't think of anything that would make you get better gas mileage with the tow button on.

Jason

 

When I drive the Hoe - 'bout once a week if I am lucky - I accellerate agressively and then let off the accellerator and then apply light pressure to the accellerator again. It always goes into V4 unless I am on a big hill or there is a big head wind. I have witnessed it going into and staying in V4 mode at a slight incline and increasing speed gradually. The only thing I don't like is it feels like it is shuttering when working hard or just before it switches to V8 mode. I would imagine the tow mode would do the same as long as the load didn't cause the mph to decrease.

 

I wonder if gearing has anything to do with it. Does the computer know the gearing or is all driven by throttle input?

 

Texas and Kev:

Do you guys have 4:10's or 3:73's?? I have 3:73's, and about the only time I'm in 4 cylinder mode is when I'm going down hill with the wind at my back.

Jason

 

I am pretty sure I have 3:73's

 

My 07 has 3:43 gears, and like jason I only go into v4 mode with no throttle. If I even begin to accelerate it goes into v8 mode. I have not taken more than a 50 mile trip yet :<( but on just highway driving the v4 mode only engages when i reach speed and begin to release the throttle. To maintain a 70mph speed it will not stay in v4 mode. I guess that is because it is has the low 3:43's.

 

I have the 3.43's.

 

I didn't realize they made anything shorter than a 3:73. I guess I don't know everything. This throws off a lot of theories I've had before.

Jason

 

I could be wrong, but I was thinking there was still one shorter. Maybe like a 3.23. Though, I could be getting it confused with my Explorer.