I originally posted this as a reply to an earlier thread, but I didn't get any comments. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/sleeping.gif" alt="" />
Hey guys --- any ideas? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />


I tow a camping trailer -- its an R-Vision Cassette, and was only made in one year -- 2005
You can see it here: My lil Rig
Kia Sportage lists a towing capacity of 2000 Lbs.
The trailer has the following specs:
Dry Wt. == 1350 lbs
Gross Wt. == 1640 lbs
Capacity == 290 lbs
Outside Length == 12' 6"
Width == 6' 6"
It is equipped with a special off road package -- beefy axle and tires.

When I'm towing on two lane roads, at 55 mph it does fine.
Taking off from a dead stop, its like nothing is even back there.
On the interstate, its a different story...
In the slightest headwind, it will accelerate to 65 mph, then it will shift into overdrive.
As soon as I hit overdrive, the speed starts to drop until it downshifts. In the slightest headwind, it just keeps this cycle up constantly and drives me crazy. So far, the only thing on the Sportage that is not stock is the hitch and the Warn manual hubs.
I'm going to install a K&N filter, and a transmission oil cooler. I'm wondering if an electric fan might help my situation. You guys that have installed electric fans -- with radiator, air conditioner, transmission cooler, and towing the vehicle, any suggestions? What size fan (cfm) should I be looking at? Ya think the "power" setting on the transmission may help? I don't really have the need for speed, but the constant shifting drives me nuts.

It sounds like a load vs. rpm issue. When I've towed in headwinds with automatic cars/trucks, I've had similar experiences. You'll probably just have to moderate the throttle input. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

the electric fan would help big time. i need to change it also when mine kicks on i takes alot of power away.

Definitely wind drag in headwind overtaxes the engine/transmission. Whatever could be done to boost engine power will not beef up transmission: the overdrive gear set and TCC are fragile items your'e better not to overload. A manual tranmission is best for those type of loads, but with the auto, play safe.

I understand that with a small vehicle, with a smaller fuel efficient engine has inherent limitations. However, am I understanding your view correctly that any modifications are futile? Considering the notion that overdrives are "fragile items," wouldn't a transmission cooler (around $40.00-$60.00) be a worthwhile modification? Wouldn't a properly sized electric fan be an improvement -- possibly? Of course, an acceptable capacity of an electric fan in an application such as this is open for debate. Of course I do understand that these things will most surely NOT completely eliminate my problem, but wouldn't I see a benefit from a reliability/wear-&-tear viewpoint? I know that there is no "magic pill," but it appears that possibly, I could see some advantage by making some modifications, from a cost-benefit perspective. Do you disagree?
Also, does anyone know exactly what the specs are for the automatic transmission in terms of the shift points in "economy" versus "power" mode? I've driven down the road, flipping from "power" to "economy" and danged if I can tell any difference.
Also, when it begins to pull down in overdrive, is it harder on the transmission to stay in overdrive and let the car slow down <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />, or would it be less strain on the drivetrain to accelerate slightly, allowing the thing to downshift and run the engine at higher rpm's? Or I guess would it be better to allow the thing to just keep on shifting back and forth? It would be nice, if Sportages had a switch that would disable the overdrive, but they don't <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/baby.gif" alt="" />.

Thanks for your views!

Cooling: There is no objection against any means to cool engine and transmission.
O/D: Of course you have that switch on side of the shifter to disable overdrive: it lights up the HOLD light on the dashboard ; it also has the effect of starting in 2nd..but switching to normal for accelerating then HOLD once in 3rd is OK. I would do that: in fact I do that every time I'm about to face a moderately steep hill: downshift to 3rd: the little engine revs shoothly but has no torque below 4000...
PWR/ECO: THe power/economy button is nothing but a gadget that simply shifts transmission at a slightly different rpm so no surprise it does not make any difference at highway speed.

my 95 has a button on the side of the auto shifter that keeps the tranny out of overdrive. look around inside yours, you may find one.

Okay...
This brings up another question.
Yes, I am aware of the "hold" button, and understand how it works by limiting the transmission to second and third gears.
What I am confused about, is that supposedly the transmission is a 4 speed. Is that 4 speed including overdrive? Or 4 speed + overdrive. I've been told that the 4 speed transmission is including overdrive.
However, when I take off from a standstill, listen to the engine, feel it shift, and watch the tach, there are 4 distinct shift points; therefore, it must be a 5 speed transmission including the overdrive.
Am I crazy or what?

no you aren't crazy, mine does the same thing. i'm not sure and don't quote me on it, but the last "shift" that is felt may be like a cruising gear. not necessarily overdrive, but part of it. i'm not sure, but i can find out from the stealership next door to my job.

What is happening is the transmission is going through all four gears, then the torque converter locks up feeling like a "fifth" gear. This "fifth gear" will unlock as soon as it detects any significant load, and in fact has to unlock to allow the transmission to change down to third gear.

It sounds like what you are feeling is the torque converter "hunting", dropping in and out of lock. Given that you are towing a load then this behaviour would not be considered unusual