[patrick]

Hi Guys, Do you use the tow mode and how does it work. I never used mine so I'm wonderind If I should when pulling a 2500 lbs trailer.
Thanks
Patrick

 

[jyruiz]

Hi Guys, Do you use the tow mode and how does it work. I never used mine so I'm wonderind If I should when pulling a 2500 lbs trailer.
Thanks
Patrick

You don't have to for 2500lbs, I can't remember what the manual says, but I know it is higher than 2500lbs in order to use it.

 

[pstorti]

all it really does is change shift points, try it and you'll see it doesn't make much of a difference for me.

 

[scr38]

It will raise shift points when you are pulling a heavy load. You don't need it for 2500 pounds; if you use it you probably won't see any difference with that light load.

 

[jyruiz]

all it really does is change shift points, try it and you'll see it doesn't make much of a difference for me.

Yes, it changes the shift points, but saves your transmission when towing heavy loads.

 

[TopazM3]

It also holds gears longer going both up and down.... very useful IMHO

 

[Armadaof1]

Although I'm not towing, I found the tow mode useful in going through the mountain passes over the Cascades and south through Oregon. It prevents the truck from hunting for a gear on an incline and it provides some degree of engine braking on the way down by not always shifting up to overdrive.

Using it while towing (regardless of load) should make the trip a little smoother.

 

[drcookie]

Although I'm not towing, I found the tow mode useful in going through the mountain passes over the Cascades and south through Oregon. It prevents the truck from hunting for a gear on an incline and it provides some degree of engine braking on the way down by not always shifting up to overdrive.

Using it while towing (regardless of load) should make the trip a little smoother.

hhmm... may be I should try it when I drive to Lake Tahoe. On my last trip, I just switched to D4 instead of using the Tow Mode. D4 helps is a way that the truck stops hunting for gears and provides some downhill braking.

 

[Armadaof1]

What I've done is use 4 around town when I'm not likely to exceed 45mph - keeps the truck from looking for overdrive.

Then I use D in tow mode in mountainous highway driving where I'm probably running 55+ and don't want frequent shifting.

Seems simple, but try and explain it to the wife when she's driving.

 

[armoody]

Tow mode also activates the airbags in the suspension. I forgot about the shift points. I turn on tow mode when loaded up with gear (like ski gear, camping gear etc.) even if I am not towing. This stiffens the rear suspension and lessens the wallowing effect when going over abrupt changes in the road (like bad sections of freeway, or other bumps that give you the wallowing Caddy feeling). Also, there are a few roads where they "wallow" you around so much (West Lake Sammamish Parkway, if you live around here) that tow mode stiffens the ride and lessens the wallow.

 

[jyruiz]

My airbags activate wether I have the Mada in tow mode or not.

 

[Cillyone]

My airbags activate wether I have the Mada in tow mode or not.

Same here.

 

[scr38]

Same here.

Correct. The auto level feauture is active all the time.