Patrol 4.8GRX shunting between 5th and 3rd

[Cobus Terblanche]

Hi Guys
I need some assistance. I recently(last week) sold my Navara V9x and got myself a 2007 Patrol 4.8GRX. During the weekend I towed my Conquerer Commander from Rustenburg to Buffelspoort dam and found that it is shunting between 5th and 3rd gear at 110 - 120 km/h. This does not only happen on uphills but sometimes even on the flat. I spend almost half the time in 3rd gear at about 4300rpm. What I have found with the Navara is that it did the same except if you put it in sport or manual which will tend to push it down one more gear. It then tows like a charm. Would it be better to tow in 4th gear? I also found this shunting whilst travelling without the caravan between Johannesburg and Pretoria on Sunday.
Cobus

[Wheels]

Is this car running on standard tyres? If not you could experiance hunting problems. The biggest size without changing diff ratios is a 285/75. You might have to check your auto box oil level. It could also be that your auto box computer needs a reset.

[David]

Hi - welcome to the forum

Bigger wheels will definately have an effect but you can also check your throttle position and camshaft position sensor. They all work together making the TCM decide what gear you must be in. I adjusted my timing to 10 degrees before TDC with the camshaft position sensor with good results.

Something as heavy as your Conquerer Commander I would most likely tow in fourth tiptronic (when you move the lever over it will go to fourth tiptronic which is also nice when you want to overtake ). I tow my 6 foot Venter in normal auto as the 4.8 doesn't even know it is there

[Cobus Terblanche]

Thanks for the feedback. My vehicle is still equipped with 265/70 x 17 BFGoodrich All Terrain tyres so that is one less thing to check. I tried to check the transmission oil level but it seems like the vehicle should be taken to the agents to do that as the dipstick is only about 10mm long. I will take the vehicle to the dealers and then report back. Thanks for the assistance once again.
Cobus

[Chris Skinner]

I tow a really heavy rig (3 tons) with my 4.8 and do not experience that problem normally.
I select 4th in manual mode and basically leave it there and tap it down to third when I need to.
In my experience, the hunting is caused by a bit of a heavy foot on the pedal. A friend drove my vehicle with the boat when I took a rest between Piet Retief and Bethal two ago when comming back from Sodwana while I rested, he had a heavy foot and I noticed the hunting. Not only did the vehicle hunt but I also noticed the gearbox temp starting to rise well above what I had experienced as normal while towing at moderate speeds and throttle setting (fuel use also soars). I find a good towing speed to be around 100kms, although at the coast the beast wants to run at 120 on the flat if I let her go - slow down and car will last longer and lower pettie costs.
Another tip - avoid towing in 5th!

[Peter Connan]

Cobus, I recommend you buy the proper dipstick and it's tube from Nissan. They are available as spares and once installed they can be left in place.

A bit of searching here should net you the part numbers.

[Herrie]

Normally to check the oil level in a auto box the engine must be running at normal temperature and while it is running you pull out the dipstick to check the oil level. This procedure is in the owners manual of my wife's auto Pajero and my son's auto Kia Sportage.

[Peter Vee]

I tow a similar Zcraft skiboat as Chris with my Patrol - I have 305/17 tyres on which contribute to some hunting between gears dependent on driving style - found it easier and more mechanically friendly to drive as Chris has suggested.

I traded my Discovery on the Patrol because it used hunt properly towing the same boat - to the point that the autobox would get hot and then go into some "protect mode" which had me crawling up Schoemans Kloof.

Regards,

Peter

[Trailerman]

Hallo Julle

Waar kan ek die autobox se dipstick kry, ek het die hele engin bekyk en ek sien nie daai stokkie nie.
O'ja dis 'n TB48.

Groetnis

[Tinus lotz]

Hy kom nie uit met n stokkie nie as jy die olie ruil kan jy een by nissan koop en dan daar los