Drive with Tow/Haul on or off?

[abranz]

I'm new to automatics. Last Dodge was the six speed but need the floor space for my growing family. What's the general consensus about driving with the tow/haul on or off in town or when pulling a mountain pass. What does it change in the trans when it is off? Also, posted this earlier but didn't get to many responses, what's everyones thoughts about running synthetic atf like amsoil for instance? Thanks in advance.

Anthony in Idaho

 

[Buzzer]

Is your truck an 05 or earlier model? The tow/haul works differently in the 05 then the 04 and earlier.

 

[CLAYTON]

If my rmp's get down to 1500-1700 then i'll take it out of 4th only when I am towing. Or if it feels like it's lugging.



A lot of the guys on here are running amsoil in their rigs. I've read a couple of times to get some miles on the engine before adding synthetics to allow your engine to brake in a little better. I switched to Redline at 15k.

 

[abranz]

Sorry, it's a 05.

Thanks again. Anthony

 

[driverno8]

I've actually started to drive with mine off. Seems more torquey

 

[juicedcummins]

The 05's do not have an overdrive off anymore. Mine runs better with the tow haul on to keep the tc locked upon throttle let off and firmer shifts.

 

[thejeepdude]

On my '05 I turn the Tow mode on every time I put it in "D". I noticed that the shifts are firmer, and it will lock the converter at a lower RPM and tends to keep it locked more compared to non-tow mode. Mine will hit OD at 43MPH and pull all the hills around town without having to downshift. I compared the overhead MPG reading of ~100 miles of around the town driving in each position, and the Tow mode gave me about 1. 6MPG increase, which makes sense since no energy is wasted mixing up the TC fluid.

 

[Dukenrock]

I just installed an ATS torque converter with the Trans Command and new valve high performance valve body. I have it programmed that whenever you turn the vehicle ON it put's the trans in Tow Mode. I keep it in that mode unless I'm going over 50-55 MPH. The ATS is a nice setup, especially when combining it with a Banks upgreade or something siimilar for enhanced HP. My converter was slipping when I got on the gas pedal or was towing and went to accellerate hard. The ATS took care of it.