so i just took a road trip threw co,ut,and ar and i was using the tow haul mode threw the mnts but i wasnt towing anything.so i told my buddy this and he said i shouldnt use the tow/haul unless im towing somthing.he then asked me what would i rather put the stress on the brakes or the tranny and says the brakes are alot cheaper to replace.well i agree with him on that but i really dont think it makes a difference.i just want to see what other people think .this was the first time i ever used the tow/haul and i realy liked it,i just figured i was saving on my brakes by using it .i have a 2010 xlt with the 5.4

 

Tow/haul puts a lot of stress on your drivetrain. Engine holds gears longer, uses tranny to control descent down hills. I agree with your buddy, use the brakes and replace the pads when necessary.

 

I thought tow/haul mode is there to save your tranny/drivetrain when towing. How would it be bad if you were empty going up and down hills, its the same just without the load.

 

I use tow/haul frequently when in the mountains (without towing or hauling). Having your tranny in 6th gear and checking all your downhill speed with the brakes is definitely NOT safer or better for the truck than letting the TCCM hold a lower gear and getting some compression braking. Similarly, letting the TCCM upshift early, then constantly dropping back down when you put a little more pressure on the accelerator is also nasty to put up with while driving.

I will gladly sacrifice the small mpg hit I'll take with slightly higher average RPM's to have the control and responsiveness that Tow/haul gives me on steep, winding, mountain roads.

In summary, your buddy is wrong! Keep it in tow/haul whenever you please for a bit more responsiveness!

 

LOL - find a new buddy.

Like others have said, T/H will hurt your MPG in some situations (flat road, light wind), but it will not hurt your engine/drivetrain. In fact, it may actually improve your MPG in the opposite situations.

Oh and make sure you don't buy a used truck from your buddy.

 

I've used mine in stop and go traffic in all of my truck's with no problem's. Help's with taller tires.

 

how about just manually shifting it when needed I wouldnt use tow haul all the time either

 

First, 09-10 can't select anything other than D 1 2 or 3.

Second, why? Using tow/haul is NOT going to hurt your engine or transmission. Period.

 

My XLT has a reverse, too...........

Doubtful using the T/H mode without a load would damage anything.

 

I agree...with no load behind the truck whats it going to hurt?? Its on there for a reason...I have used mine like that also and love it!!!

 

I use mine all time wihtout towing. I live on the oppisite side of a large mountain, and find the slightly lower gearing better going uphills ( currently have 35 inch tires) I like the fact that it holds the gear longer also.

As for going down hills...im not a big fan of it..especially if the conditions are anything but dry. Reason being....the rear end is so light, and if you happen to tap the brakes one to many times you will cause the truck to down shift...which in return can cause the rear end to skid in bad conditions IMO

 

Tough to have the rear end skid out I figure. With the TCS these things have, and as annoyingly sensitive they are known to be, I have a hard time buying the theory. Older gen, sure, but with the new computer controlled TCS, the chances are not very good IMHO. Now, if you disabled TCS while driving in the mountains in less than favorable conditions, then yes your theory holds water. However if one is dumb enough to actually do such a thing, he deserves to be included in Darwin's theory of evolution