Shifter in "S" mode

I'm curious what other auto transmission members experience when shifting into "S" mode.

When stopped, my dash shows "S3". I can downshift into 1&2 but it always starts in 3. I only messed with it once but it didn't seem like the transmission was actually in 3rd just showed 3 on the dash for some reason. I have an OR, can others chime in.

 

Page 219 says this is how it's supposed to be. Also gears 1-3 are really short. Going from stop in 3rd is a good way to save on fuel economy.

 

I think that you only have manual control in 3rd-8th and it doesnt let you control it in 1-2 to keep you from breaking it. I could be wrong, I have a manual, but I've seen this in other vehicles

 

I thought I had looked but must have missed it. Thanks

 

The 3rd gen transmission goes to S4 but it is most definitely not in 4th gear. My bet is the 4th gen transmission is actually in 1st gear even though it says S3 unless you are moving too fast already. What happens when you shift into S mode while you are driving too fast for 3rd gear?

 

It will put it in 4th gear or higher depending on your speed.

 

The way the 3rd gen auto was explained to me, and I supposed it could be the same for the 4th, is that it’s meant as a limiter more than a shifter which is different from most cars. If you’re in S3, you’re telling the tranny to not pass that gear, etc.

 

This is correct.

S mode is neither a manual override nor an auto-stick type device. It is a top-gear limiter.

S-3 means that the transmission can freely shift between gears 1-3, but not 4. S-4 means the transmission can freely shift between gears 1-4, but not 5. There is an exception in that it will cancel S-mode if you exceed redline, but you have to be really trying to break the truck to do so.

 

In the 5th gen 4Runner, going into S mode will go to S-4, which will limit the automatic transmission from shifting past that on its own. You still can bump it into 5 using the shifter, though. Is that not the case with the 4th gen auto in S mode?

 

From a stand still it goes into S3 you can change to any number you would like after that. Not sure how the truck will respond but it will say s"whatever" you click it to. It's definitely not the same as most other vehicle "sport" shift modes. I think. This is my first automatic in while haha.

Ironic that a manual transmission driver has to learn how the automatic transmission works.

 

Essentially to sum everything up, when you bump over the S mode it will start you in the gear you are currently in with a lower limit of S3. It will never initially put you in anything lower than S3. From there (whatever gear it put you in 3-8) you can bump it up or down to whatever gear you want to 1-8. It has protections from overrevving so in some instances it may not shift into a lower gear until RPMs are at an acceptable threshold and the computer calculates that once in the new gear it will be within limits. It will also automatically upshift if you are pushing it past acceptable limits in the current gear. Lastly, it will automatically select a higher shift range when fluid temperatures meet a certain threshold. Bonus tip: Holding it in the + position will automatically put you in S8 without the need to click through them all.

 

S mode in my 2011 4Runner lets me bang it off the rev limiter. Found that out the hard way when I popped it over into S3 to pass, forgot I was in S3, and redlined the shit out of it… sounds like they’ve changed the programming a bit lol. S mode is wonderful for engine braking as well. Additionally, It will beep at me if I try to go into too low of a gear.