jokerswild

Locking out the overdrive whether it's a four,five or six speed gearbox is what I am saying. Ask any competent auto mechanic what stuffs up auto boxes. One is towing in the overdrive gear which is a weak little cog, the other is towing horse floats.

I have a2009 auto diesel Prado. I always tow with the overdrive locked out ie in 4th gear.this was advised by Toyota on the 80 series i had before when towing the van, also by a couple of auto mechanics. Do other readers do this? Several other makes of vehicles, well their owners think I am crazy! Any comments? Thecaravan is only a 17'6 poptop

I recently had a letter from Toyota about a recall on my Prado tow bar. Apparently some bolts might come loose with use of some load levellers when towing. I do a lot of van towing so I booked in with very efficient lady at Plowrights in Port Macquarie. All bolts checked ok. , and at no cost for that plus a new Toyota load leveller set. In exchange for my old set. This unit is very good and works well, and I have found since that those who have problems use super heavyweight levellers and strain them to the limit. I have seen two A frames on vans snapped, and heaps bent where the chains connect. Work out the G forces on this point and it's staggering. As a driver who has towed for over. 50 years, might I suggest that the vehicle itself should be level when ready to hitch up, then use the levellers to bring back to height when hooked up. Air bags or spring lifts, pump up shock all help. Too many people load their vehicles to the limit then expect the bars to carry that and the van, and with every heavy front weights on most modern vans, the a frame suffers.

As a follow up on my stalling problems, I have done some 3000 klms,without a stall or any problem, so it seems the filters must comply, even the under bonnet one that doesnt require replacing (according to Toyota). So, make sure under body one is replaced with genuine at 20,000, and fit genuine or top brand only if necessary under the bonnet. I have spoken to many people since my problem, and it is common that the under body units just doesnt get replaced. So how many injectors etc have been stuffed up because of lack of knowledge? Hope this helps

Ok, sorry if confused! The rear filter, the little one that should be replaced, had a prefix I couldn't identify, no idea when last replaced, so replaced it with a Ryco. (I have never had a problem with Ryco) When problem continued (stalling after start) I researched a lot. Found that the (under bonnet)filter the mechanic had used (he swears by them) had cross reference number to both Toyota and Ryco. I looked around and found that that number filter was to be used on a much older Toyota direct injection motor. It wasnt a Ryco. But on contact with Ryco (Who were super helpful), they virtually said that that model filter/water separator could be harmful to my engine. So,i had a "discussion" with my mechanic (Learning curve for him, who is good at everything else) and he replaced the under bonnet filter/separator with a Ryco of the correct type for my Prado. Problem of stalling stopped straight away, motor even sounds and runs better (probably in my imagination!) Hope that sorts that out for you.

As a new member who had a few problems with stalling, can I offer this help. 80,000 service on 2009 D4D Prado. Never have let anyone before service my many vehicles. So moved towns, mechanic recommended, and had service. 3,000 klms later, several stalls on cold start, about 10 seconds after fire up. Started using primer pump, and this fixed problem. Read several forums, and learned a bit, asked mechanic if he replaced filter in front of tank. "what filter" we did the one under the bonnet! So I bought a new filter, he fitted it for free. (I found that many times this filter is missed out altogether, although the service book says replace at 20,000. Same stalling problem, more researching, found "filter "he replaced under bonnet is only to be checked every service, not replaced. It is a water separator.It was strange breed, but had a Toyota and Ryco equivalent stamped on side. I contacted Ryco, who said, get that filter off quick. Did so and immediate cessation of stalling. Have Ryco on both now, but will follow mates advice and use genuine Toyota parts from now on