Towing with a Hyundai

Originally posted by Sleepless Last month we came back from a 6000 mile trip to the Southwest.  We owned a larger trailer (2800# dry weight) with our 200010 Santa Fe (V6, 284 hp) and kept it in sixth gear, which is the highest.  On many steep hills and up some of the mountain passes we temporarily locked it in fifth gear.  Overall, we averaged about 12.5 mpg.  I have not yet towed our R-Pod for any distance. Now we own our R-Pod 173 which is considerably lighter.  I know many members tow with Hyundai vehicles and I am wondering what gears you normally use when you are towing.  I have noticed that in 6th gear, I press harder on the accelerator to maintain normal towing speed, while in 5th gear I run at higher RPMs but can ease up on the accelerator.  Which gear do you think would give the better gas mileage on the Interstates? Bob

Thanks for the comments.

The Santa Fe shares the identical engine in my Hyundai Azera Limited, both approaching 300 hp.  However, this rating is at 6300 RPM.  No one in their right mind would subject their vehicle to that.

At 60 mph, my Santa Fe is only turning 2000 rpm in 6th gear.  In 5th gear, it runs at 2300 to 2500, depending upon the load created by the terrain. In 5th, the ECO (economy) light frequently goes on, which is good.  Again I was pulling a trailer much heavier and wider than my pod. 

The service representative at my local dealer told me to just let it shift naturally, which put me in 6th unless I accelerate hard or am going up a slope.  6th gear does well in maintaining a conservative speed going down 6 or even 7% grades.  That has nothing to do with my question, but is a point of interest to me. 

Bottom line, I thing the service advisor didn't know the answer and simple told me to let it shift at will.  My owner's manual is full of towing information, but does not address how to manipulate the transmission.  I think the advice you gave, which confirms my thoughts, is correct.

Thanks again.

Bob

That is pretty much what I experience with my Santa Fe.  If I use cruise control, it shifts more often so I don't use it when towing.  What helps me is to pick up speed going down hills and let the speed go down when going up hills.  We both have the same towing capacity and probably the same engine and transmission except mine is AWD.

When I was towing my 1600# boat, it seldom shifted gears.  But, the boat was lighter and much more aerodynamic than the pods.

Bob