I will be sending my truck to a mechanic after this upcoming weekend, my high/low switch,sensor is not working. I will be doing so two tracking in the Manistee National Forrest this upcoming weekend. However I was wondering what exactly is the difference from just shifting into 1st or 2nd opposed to activating the Manual mode? as far as i can tell from the owners manual there is not much.

Thanks
Mark

 

Manual mode allows you to place your Transmission into a gear and it will not shift out from that gear (Just like a manual transmission).

 

@Mengels "M"anual only works in low range, it is ideal when you are on a surface that 1st is too low and 2nd will work better. I have used to lock in to 3rd once but that is a rare requirement here. Basically you use M anytime you want the transmission to stay in the gear you select, a shift can cause a momentary loss of traction/ forward movement and that can cause you to stop moving

 

Im not sure if I knew this??? I know when Im out in the desert cruising bumpy roads, I manually shift between 1-2 and haven't had an issue BUT I have been slowly climbing a steep rocky grade and the transmission shifted out of first and into 2nd and killed my momentum a couple times almost causing an issue.....I definitely will be using the M next time.

 

@Motorhead1 we get a lot of loose wet rock here that mode is a life saver, LR may have made some odd choices but CDL and that manual mode will keep you moving most of the time

 

Thanks, guys, I guess I didn't realize that if you just put it in 1,2 or 3 the engine will automatically switch you out.

Thanks!

 

I put the gear shift in 2 or 3 (high range) when going down steep mountain hills at lower speeds just to save the brake rotors from overheating and warping.

I wasn't sure whether the computer keeps it in the gear selected or just prevents it from going to the gears higher than the one selected... While in high range of course.

I did know about manual mode being in low range only but was not sure what exactly happens when you manually select a gear other than D while in high range.

 

@Dave03S that is why I like manual transmissions.

But in Hi if you put the transmission in 2 the Disco can shift between 1 and 2 if you put it in 1 it will stay there. Pretty normal stuff for an automatic.

What the manual mode does is change your transmission function making it more like a manual transmission. So if you put the Disco in 3d for example it will stay there it will not shift down.
This is handy on surfaces were you need to control both rpm and speed and an automatic's ability to downshift is a liability.

2 handy examples

Here in the PNW snow tends to be very wet,and slimy kind of like black slippery mud. In those conditions I select low and start in second, my town is basically on the side of a hill so everything is up or downhill. So I shift up to third when required or back down to second or first as need. I do not lose momentum or spin my wheels from unexpected shifts and can get a bit of speed up.

Long uphills on loose rock trails, same as above it lets control both RPM and speed by selecting a gear and only worry about throttle.

 

Thanks, That's how I thought it worked but never read for sure.