Does anybody tow with a pre 2010 sorento ?this is our first season towing so we chose a sorento as it had good reviews ,however I noticed when towing in Devon that the gear lever started to get warm and I seemed to be constantly In 3rd gear ive searched the web but can't find any info on this.I'm not sure which gear setting I should use I kept it in auto mode but some people suggest I should use 4x4low which I'm reluctant to do in case it causes damage to the gears at high speeds .any advise from other owners would be greatly appreciate
I towed my twin axle caravan in auto for 6 years with a 2004 sorento and had no problems at all,
on the steepest hills i wound use the kick down to go down a gear earlier than the auto box wanted to so as to keep the revs up and not loose to much speed when going up the steepest hills in Devon and Cornwall.
once up the hill change into normal auto
If you have low gear settings on yours i would never recomend using it when you are towing unless you want to get about 10mpg
Question ??? how many gears has your model got.
What year is it as there are two pre 2010 models, I think, 2003/5 and 2006/9. The latter had a more powerful engine but no self levelling suspension. Mine were both auto models so I am not sure I can help if its a manual.
I tow with a 2009 - 2.5 ltr Sorrento - Manual. (5 gears)
Never had any problem with hot gear lever. Have you had the oil level in the gearbox checked ? Is it the correct oil ?
If you have an engine problem that makes you use a lower gear then I would get the engine checked. Also get the EGR valve cleaned out. Add some flushing oil to the engine oil run it for a few days then change the oil and filter.
Get the turbo checked also.
Towed with Auto Sorento for 10 years and always kept box in Auto as handbook advises.If you tow using Tiptronic you can cause gearbox failure due to fluid overheating. Noway do you tow on tarmac roads in low ratio .All this information is in the vehicle handbook. Towed faultless during that time but now have Auto Santa Fe as that has more BHP with a slightly smaller engine and is more fuel efficient.
Do not use 4x4 low on the road! It is for extreme conditions such as mud or snow.Instructions are in the owners manual.
If its an auto check fluid level,also might be worth having it checked as there is an oil cooler for the transmission,often part of the engine rad.Could be blocked or something.
We had 2 old model Sorentos both manual which were excellent tugs.
------------- DS-There's more to life than football!!!
Thanks for your replies pretty much what I thought .think I'll have to have the gear box looked over by the way it's manual 2007 with 5 gears should of said
If I'm honest it's probably my driving first time towing plus not used to driving such a large car ...I do drive buses for a living but there automatic .must say though I love driving my sorento it's a pleasure when normal driving compared to my old senic lol
As you said it seemed to be constantly in 3rd gear this gave the impression it was Auto.When i had Sorento it was Auto, and towed the Swift dealer special i have, which is basically the same van as yours it would stay in 5th gear on motorways with no problem. If it is down on power could be several things.Just a few, Low turbo boost pressure, Leaking EGR valve or blocked CAT converter, i had to replace mine.
You need to avoid the idiots suggesting you use the low box when towing, they obviously haven't a clue what they're talking about.
Had an original old model auto, currently have an updated old model auto with 112000 miles on the clock now, both brilliant cars and happily tow twin-axles.