Lock up mate

[m_and_m]

Hi All
Also looking at getting one in the new year. Reading the FAQ on the website its says that "sometimes" there is an error code produced.
Has anyone with a lockup mate had this happen and if so what happens next?
Mark

My experience is that when first installed, sometimes (rarely) the AT ECU seems a little sensitive to having the TCC lockup when it's not expecting it to be locked. Within a weeks or so, it adapts and is fine from then on. Doesn't happen to everyone but does occasionally happen.

For example, in my car, after 6 months of normal behaviour (no codes), my dealer reset the AT ECU's learned parameters using a MUT (to diagnose another issue) and it then happened.
With SPORT mode, you can also 'cause' a code under some conditions if you change up a gear with the RPM way too low.
Code is P2758, which is TCC stuck on.

If it does happen, you just clear it with a OBD2 reader.

[m_and_m]

Hey Marshall, Looking at probably getting lockup mate next year. My only concern about it is, if it's as good as you say it is (and not saying it isn't mind you, looks absolutely amazing I was so excited for it when I watched the video) - why hasn't mitsubishi (or any manufacturer) made it this way from the factory. There must be some negative to the setup surely?

Does it unlock when it shifts gears?

Happy for you to PM me if you'd rather.

No need for a PM - nothing to hide. My FAQ here on the web-site explains.
No, it doesn't unlock when changing gears, and doesn't need to.

Here's my answer in the FAQ.

Why doesn't it come like this from the factory?
The factory engineers need to balance the car's design within varying constraints. Smoothness, fuel economy, emission control regulations, customers’ expectations and limited R&D budgets - to name just a few.
It’s the same reason there are so many after-market accessories available for our 4x4s. Not one size fits all customers.
Customers like a smooth and refined transmission, and not all customers tow caravans, trailers, boats or horse floats. Hence compromises are made to achieve a balance. lockup-mate and auto-mate’s role is to optimise the control of the TCC to reduce transmission temperatures, plus get other benefits like fuel savings.

What I can add to the above is the gear changes are not quite as smooth when the TCC is locked. Interestingly, I had a Paj Sport for a week as a hire car. It controls the 8 speed trans the same way as I now control the 5 speed with auto-mate. But because the gear ratios in the 8 speed are so close together, it's still really smooth. The Paj Sport locks it in 3rd and then keeps it locked up to 8th. But still, some people complain the Paj Sport transmission isn't very good (ie not perfectly smooth) - hence, the compromise between better fuel economy/lower temps, and smoothness.
So, MM have got it right in the Paj Sport, and there'll not be a lockup-mate or auto-mate developed for it.

You are right - no free lunches unfortunately. You lose a little of the refinement (i.e. slightly higher NVH)....but it worth it if you push your car harder than the average person.

Now, the smoothness in the 5 speed Paj is still very good, just not 'perfect'.

[nuttyalmond]

Hi
Id like to know whats involved in the installation, is there a pdf of the installation manual available, anyone? Thanks in advance.
Mark

[TC.Barky]

No need for a PM - nothing to hide. My FAQ here on the web-site explains.
No, it doesn't unlock when changing gears, and doesn't need to.

Here's my answer in the FAQ.

Why doesn't it come like this from the factory?
The factory engineers need to balance the car's design within varying constraints. Smoothness, fuel economy, emission control regulations, customers’ expectations and limited R&D budgets - to name just a few.
It’s the same reason there are so many after-market accessories available for our 4x4s. Not one size fits all customers.
Customers like a smooth and refined transmission, and not all customers tow caravans, trailers, boats or horse floats. Hence compromises are made to achieve a balance. lockup-mate and auto-mate’s role is to optimise the control of the TCC to reduce transmission temperatures, plus get other benefits like fuel savings.

What I can add to the above is the gear changes are not quite as smooth when the TCC is locked. Interestingly, I had a Paj Sport for a week as a hire car. It controls the 8 speed trans the same way as I now control the 5 speed with auto-mate. But because the gear ratios in the 8 speed are so close together, it's still really smooth. The Paj Sport locks it in 3rd and then keeps it locked up to 8th. But still, some people complain the Paj Sport transmission isn't very good (ie not perfectly smooth) - hence, the compromise between better fuel economy/lower temps, and smoothness.
So, MM have got it right in the Paj Sport, and there'll not be a lockup-mate or auto-mate developed for it.

You are right - no free lunches unfortunately. You lose a little of the refinement (i.e. slightly higher NVH)....but it worth it if you push your car harder than the average person.

Now, the smoothness in the 5 speed Paj is still very good, just not 'perfect'.

Cheers mate, sorry must have missed the FAQ page. Congratulations on making such a good product that the 'too good to be true' alarms are going off ha.

I guess I'm comparing my experience with an old school torque converter lockup with an early GU which isn't really fair. In that car if you left it locked and switched gears it felt quite harsh as the engine speed has to snap down instantly so we used to always unlock it for gear changes as we were worried it was straining the engine/transmission having to change so suddenly

[HeavyPizzaz]

Just read the FAQ document. Looking to potentially buy a lock-up mate in near future. The very last point says that the factory AT ECU locks up the TC in 5th when over 100kmh anyway. So if I’m towing on the flat at just over 100kmh then it’s locked up, right? So you can do this on the flats and declines. But if I’m on an incline I could shift manually back to 4th in sport mode and it will lockup? Or may not? This is NX Pajero.


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[Ian H]

Just read the FAQ document. Looking to potentially buy a lock-up mate in near future. The very last point says that the factory AT ECU locks up the TC in 5th when over 100kmh anyway. So if I’m towing on the flat at just over 100kmh then it’s locked up, right? So you can do this on the flats and declines. But if I’m on an incline I could shift manually back to 4th in sport mode and it will lockup? Or may not? This is NX Pajero.


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pssst,.....It's illegal to tow at over 100 kph in most states.

[TC.Barky]

pssst,.....It's illegal to tow at over 100 kph in most states.

Only NSW and WA isn't it? Vic is fine.

[old Jack]

Only NSW and WA isn't it? Vic is fine.

SA is fine to tow at the posted limit.



OJ.

[BruceandBobbi]

https://www.caravanworld.com.au/features/1204/state-by-state-towing-rules

[Ian H]

Yeah, that's true guys.

Depending on the weight, I'm not comfortable at speeds over 100 when towing a caravan.

[HeavyPizzaz]

pssst,.....It's illegal to tow at over 100 kph in most states.

Wait, what?? Even small trailers? In NSW I mean. I may have read that years ago but must have forgotten.


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[tnor]

Technically once the GCM of the vehicle and trailer is over 4,500kg the limit applies. But it doesn't seem to worry a lot of semi's and B-doubles!

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[HeavyPizzaz]

“New South Wales
The maximum allowable speed of a tow vehicle towing a trailer in New South Wales is 110km, as per the maximum allowable speed on motorways and highways, so long as the tow vehicle has a GVM not exceeding 4,500kg.”

http://www.withoutahitch.com.au/caravan/state-state-tow-vehicle-trailer-speed-limits/

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[Ian H]

I've just returned from a short 3 hour trip with the caravan on the back. The road was basically flat most of the way (Princes Hwy to Sale) and there wasn't any wind to speak of. Van is 16' full size caravan (not pop top) at around 2000-2200kg.

I averaged 13.6L/100klm with LU Mate on all the way. Got to be happy with that !

On the flat road I could easily tow in 5th with the TC locked and just jumped back to 4th for the steeper inclines. Was generally doing about 92-94kph GPS speed

Extremely happy with that result.

[Dicko1]

Just towed 1600kg trailer with boat on top (about2.4 mts high). Paj at near maximum allowable weight limit. Cairns to Tannum Sands..13l/100k and return trip 12.3 lts/100klm....Sat on 97-105kph GPS speed. Tow easy in 5th on flats and I would estimate that I only used sports mode less than 5% of the time. Hilly sections....GOTTA BE HAPPY WITH THAT. Noticed after about98kph fuel usage climbs accordingly. Around 97kph fuel usage sat on around 12lts. Around 105kph...fuel usage about 14 lts/100kph.