What is "AUTO" mode really, vs. the 2WD and 4x4???

The Gas and Diesel Engines - VQ40De, VK56DE, YD25DDTi, V9X, Transmission, Transfer Case, Oil, Differentials, Axles, Exhaust...

Moderator: volvite

What do you leave your transfer case set to every day?

2WD always
109
75%
AUTO always
25
17%
4H always, I'm hard core.
1
1%
I wish I had a choice :-(
10
7%
 
Total votes: 145

User avatar
Graham W
Moderator
Posts: 238
Joined: Mon Jan 08, 2018 1:21 am
Location: UK, the warm end :-)
Contact:

Postby Graham W » Wed Nov 28, 2018 7:26 am

rragpaoa wrote:
RacerZX wrote:For it to be "instant" would be impossible, however it's probably very fast.
One more question. When you turn the knob from Auto to 4Hi, does the center diff indicator on the dash flash for a few seconds first before going solid, or does it just turn on right away?

I spoke to my cousin who is a lead mechanic at Nissan in LA, and he mentioned it's derived more from the GTR Skyline drive system since it is mostly rear wheel driven, with power to the front based on the sensors you have mentioned. So he confirms what you are saying. It DOES provide power to the front from stand still to acceleration, and starts to ease back based on speed and traction. Even when turning, power to the front is variably applied. Would make a great rally truck.

Gas mileage technically should be less, since the system is applying power to the front in numerous scenarios even without loss of traction. However, I haven't really noticed any loss of MPG with it on or off. I usually leave it off just in case.
This is something i noticed when i put a new NPS in place as i could move to 4Lo in any gear and the dash would flash for a few metres moving. New switch the ratios wont change until im in neutral and 98% pops straight in, no flash and a beep. The 2% seems when the vehicle is on a slope, handbrake on, so needs to move to lock.


PicklePath
Posts: 9
Joined: Tue Jul 18, 2017 5:50 pm

Postby PicklePath » Wed Feb 13, 2019 3:23 pm

My 0.02. I have Auto mode, but if you don't, you aren't missing much. I've been doing a ton of snow driving lately and find that Auto is slightly better than 2wd, but 4wd is much better. This is because Auto needs slip to engage the front axle, but 4wd is already locked in.

User avatar
smj999smj
Site Admin
Posts: 6054
Joined: Sun Jan 22, 2012 11:13 pm
Location: Prospect, VA

Postby smj999smj » Thu Feb 14, 2019 4:05 pm

PicklePath wrote:My 0.02. I have Auto mode, but if you don't, you aren't missing much. I've been doing a ton of snow driving lately and find that Auto is slightly better than 2wd, but 4wd is much better. This is because Auto needs slip to engage the front axle, but 4wd is already locked in.
It doesn't always need tire slip to engage the front axle. It can also predict wheel slip based on inputs, such as being at a stop and then planting the gas pedal to wide open throttle. It's good for when you are driving on wet roads or roads that vary between dry and light snow while you are driving. However, if I'm in constant snow of an inch or more, then it makes sense to put it into 4-HI mode.

K50
Posts: 11
Joined: Sat Feb 23, 2019 5:17 am

So how much better is the LE tranny? Looking to buy

Postby K50 » Thu Feb 28, 2019 5:31 am

I am in the process of buying a pathfinder. Decided to go with 2011 or 2012 year so I never have to worry about the trans/coolant issue. After much research, I decided that the LE trim was favorable mostly due to the auto mode. My wife/kids will also drive the car and not sure they would totally understand the different modes and when/how to use them. Auto seems like the best option.

Then I came across a nice “silver†trim billed as an LE. All the nice interior appointments but no auto.

So my question, how much better is the LE transmissson? I assume 2wd for most of my driving but living in PA we do get snow. I also plan to tow a small camper. 5000lbs or less, is one trans better for this? Any difference in reliability?

Thanks!

User avatar
smj999smj
Site Admin
Posts: 6054
Joined: Sun Jan 22, 2012 11:13 pm
Location: Prospect, VA

Postby smj999smj » Thu Feb 28, 2019 8:52 am

To my knowledge, all R51 Pathfinders with four-wheel drive and are "LE" trims have the AUTO mode transfer case. I've never heard of nor seen one without it. So, you might want to make sure it is an LE. LE's will have the Bose system, leather interior, faux wood trim at the door switches and center console trim, climate control, sunroof, roof rails and side rails, auto lamps and, if I'm not mistaken, fog lamps, as well.

I leave mine in AUTO mode all the time unless I'm running on unplowed, snow-covered, roads. The owners manual says to use 2WD mode for best gas mileage, but my testing shows there's no difference and I really wouldn't expect to see much difference since AUTO defaults to 2WD most of the time, anyway. So, the only difference between AUTO and 2WD mode the majority of the time is that AUTO will allow the electric transfer pump to operate at idle, in reverse and speeds under 35 MPH. However, it is nice to have that feature of the transfer case applying power to the front wheels in an unexpected situation to better control traction. It's a nice feature to have when driving in conditions when there are spots of snow or ice on the road but for the most part is clear. I have both an LE and an SE and I prefer the LE's transfer case. I wouldn't call it a deal breaker, however, if choosing between two models and one is nicer but only has the part-time transfer case. Go with the overall, better vehicle unless you really want the other options the LE provides, as well.

K50
Posts: 11
Joined: Sat Feb 23, 2019 5:17 am

Sorry to mislead - the car is a silver trim level

Postby K50 » Thu Feb 28, 2019 10:51 am

Car is a silver trim level, it has most of the LE features like leather, backup camera, etc but has the lower transmission. Silver trim sits between SV and LE. think it was Intoduced in 2011 and maybe only lasted until 2012

User avatar
smj999smj
Site Admin
Posts: 6054
Joined: Sun Jan 22, 2012 11:13 pm
Location: Prospect, VA

Re: Sorry to mislead - the car is a silver trim level

Postby smj999smj » Thu Feb 28, 2019 12:12 pm

K50 wrote:Car is a silver trim level, it has most of the LE features like leather, backup camera, etc but has the lower transmission. Silver trim sits between SV and LE. think it was Intoduced in 2011 and maybe only lasted until 2012
It doesn't have a "lower transmission." The transmissions are exactly the same. It's the transfer case that is different; the Silver trim has a part-time 4WD system and the LE has the AUTO mode transfer case.

User avatar
underworld1001
Posts: 328
Joined: Sun Nov 27, 2016 9:05 pm
Location: Austin, TX

Postby underworld1001 » Thu Feb 28, 2019 7:54 pm

Mines a 2011 SV and and it has the auto mode. Never use it, but still, must have been an option on that trim?

User avatar
palmerwmd
Site Admin
Posts: 2343
Joined: Tue Jan 31, 2017 4:45 am
Location: Mid Atlantic

Postby palmerwmd » Thu Feb 28, 2019 10:51 pm

underworld1001 wrote:Mines a 2011 SV and and it has the auto mode. Never use it, but still, must have been an option on that trim?
Can u take a pic?
Have u tried to use it?
Like SMJ I understood it to be an exclusive feature of the LEs

brickbox
Posts: 89
Joined: Thu Oct 24, 2019 5:59 am
Location: Rust Belt

Postby brickbox » Thu Oct 24, 2019 11:44 am

Out of curiosity, for those who don't have the Auto mode i.e. the silver edition and SV vehicles, do you guys simply put the vehicle in "4H" during the winter months even if you're driving on the freeway? I live in the Great Lakes region and there is always snow for about 5 months....

User avatar
palmerwmd
Site Admin
Posts: 2343
Joined: Tue Jan 31, 2017 4:45 am
Location: Mid Atlantic

Postby palmerwmd » Thu Oct 24, 2019 12:26 pm

brickbox wrote:Out of curiosity, for those who don't have the Auto mode i.e. the silver edition and SV vehicles, do you guys simply put the vehicle in "4H" during the winter months even if you're driving on the freeway? I live in the Great Lakes region and there is always snow for about 5 months....
If the road is all snowy yes, 4H. If the road is dry asphalt and just patches of snow I leave it in 2H to protect the transfer case (even though I suspect they are more robust than many seem to feel).


Return to “R51 Engine, Driveline and Powertrain”