How does the "S" mode work in automatics?

Ahhhh....so it works like every other automatic transmission from decades ago.

Overly complex.......

 

This right here, and as well as descending steep hills and engine braking. The fact that you can use the rev limiter is the biggest advantage from a 3rd gen to a 2nd gen imo. I got up a steep mountain in 2 feet of snow because I could leave it in S2 and keep the wheels spinning up the hill. The 2nd gen I was with even though it was in D2 would constantly upshift into 3rd gear and loose its momentum which it turn made the 2nd gen slide back down the hill backwards.

 

The driver of the 2nd Gen could have limited to D2 by placing the shift lever in the 2 slot. It would not have shifted to 3rd gear.

Driver error.

 

That’s really interesting that your truck doesn’t have it but others do. I’m not advocating that it’s needed, but I’m honestly curious how some have it and others don’t unless it’s a recent change.

 

Not sure how its overly complex but OK.

He said he did that.... Some cars will still upshift if you hit the rev limiter regardless of the manual selected gear option. I'm not sure if the Tacoma is one of them but based on what he said seems like it could be.

 

Overly complex in describing the operation.

Just place the shift lever in the highest gear position you want. Then the transmission will select gears based on that limit. Unless you are running the engine at redline, then upshift will occur to protect the engine from the driver's foot (ie driver error).

Don't want 5 gear, then place the shift lever into 4. Done. Don't want 3rd gear, then place shift lever in 2.

NO worry about "S" mode or ECT any of the other stuff.

 

You seem to have misunderstood that he did and eventually it would.

 

No. I understand what the "driver" did.

 

Got it. So moving the shifter left (4th), left then down (3rd) or left then down then right then down (2nd) isn't complex.

But moving the shifter to left and then bumping it up or down to change the highest gear is. I can see that logic.

 

I didn't say that.......

Twist as you see fit.

 

S4 also disables AI learning as I recall.

 

The reason for S6 existing is that you can let the truck drive normally or limit the truck down to 5th or 4th when you want it to so it’s not banging back and forth between 4/5/6 with the cruise on when you’re going up a hill. I drive with my truck in S6 at least 25% if the time just because it’s handy. With the KDMax tune, the auto acts more like it should, between throttle inputs and shifting, and converter lockup.

Ex. I’m driving into a heavy headwind at highway speeds. I’ll put the truck in S which will force it into 4th gear, which in a geared truck like mine is SCREAMING at 70mph, and then move up to 5th or 6th, depending on the situation. It just makes more sense to leave it in S that going back and forth from Drive to 4th gear and up or down from there.

TLDR; the stock auto shift map is dogshit, use S to make it less dogshit, especially in a stock truck.

 

"S' mode reminds me of the old school transmissions when you just had 2-1 to chose from, besides D. "S" mode defaults to "S-4" the non overdrive gears of 5 & 6 if I'm not mistaken. The Truck will shift on it's own up and down, 1 thru 4 or you can intervene by selecting 1 thru 4 up and down and or chose to go to 5 & 6 as well depending on your circumstances.

I love "S" mode for mountain driving. I can keep the RPM's up for climbing and feel in control around corners or for engine braking going down steep grades. Flat highway driving I leave it in "D" drive. City driving I intervene and will use "S" mode at times. Especially if I'm doing some aggressive defensive driving.

"S" mode gives you more of a mix with engine braking and vehicle braking if you like that sort of control thing.

Also, If you are at a complete stop. Place the transmission in "S" mode. Now before moving pull back on the shifter and bring the transmission down to 1. Now drive forward. I believe the truck will stay in 1st until you push up on the shifter to select the next gear.

Just my interpretation of "S" mode.

 

1 point being missed is s mode also changes shift points iirc. So no it wouldn’t be the same as drive.

 

Yes, I too noticed that if you're on a dirt road or generally off the pavement, it's better to use the "S" mode in 1 or 2 so you don't spin your wheels unnecessarily.

 

I guess this is explained in the manual as "AI-SHIFT" being disabled. I didn't know what "AI-SHIFT" was, but it now makes sense after someone here on TW said that tacos will stop hunting for gears after a while as it learns how you drive and adapts the shifting algorithm to that. Sounds like that's what "AI-SHIFT" is.

 

Yes the 3rd gen's have a AI component to them, At times I feel I'm fighting with the computer for control.

Lots of info here regarding the computer controlled auto trans. Nothing about "S" mode tho.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbCAEscrJ8E&t=255s

 

Thanks for the great vid! Very informative. I definitely use S while driving down longer steep grades on rough roads so I don't have to ride the brakes. I also like the automatic engine braking features which I just learned are from the AI component, very interesting.

I haven't tried higher S gears (I am usually in 1 or 2) to experiment with the different shift points or it seems like it may disable the AI mode altogether?? I am gonna try it!

 

When towing my light utility trailer or boat S5 is the mode i mostly use. The transmission will downshift to 4th if a big hill. I can use this with ECT but found it isn't necessary as the truck has enough power in S5. Really don't see what your getting at the way you use those S modes. Normally my truck had enough low end in 6th to maintain all the highwayb speeds i've encountered. I don't drive over 80 mph here, the speed limit is 65. Your truck sounds more like the performance of my buddies 2019 trd...which imo is a pooch when compared to my 2020 sr5.

 

I swear it’s like aliens landed, put on human masks, bought Tacomas, and joined TW.

The 3G Tacoma automatic transmission operates identical to what was in my 1976 Dodge Dart. I don’t get why anyone finds it worth talking about