Driving in S mode daily

Been driving in S mode daily for about 6 months. My truck has the 4.6L, in regular D mode it’s constantly shifting to the highest gear and hunting, really annoying so I started driving in S mode and love it. Always in the power band and I bump it up to 5 or 6 when flat or driving downhill.

 

Been driving my 17 in S mode since it was new .

 

Been nice on my pads and rotors, too

 

Wait is S mode the manual shift?

 

Basically. It's not a true manual shift because you cannot force it, but you are rather just selecting the highest gear you want it to run it.

 

I did this as well until I installed my transmission cooler since keeping it out of 5th and 6th will keep the fluid much cooler. Now I just leave it in D unless drive up large inclines.

 

I used S mode in both my Tundra's most of the time. I do it with my Frontier too.

 

Ahh kk, I have the column shifter so it’s less obvious “S” mode. Yeah I use this all the time for engine braking on the inclines around here, otherwise I’d burn the brakes out. Also super useful for coming to a stop with alot of notice, like a red light. I have accidentally left it in 4th before and bounced the rev limiter lol, it’s a weird feeling.

 

To answer the original post I think as long as you’re manually shifting within reason, like 3.5k or so should be no extra wear and tear. Obviously it stops you from over reving manually too. I do the same stuff in the 4runner and that motor sounds way angrier at 3-4k going down a hill than Tundras do. With a supercharger you can manually create a backfire if you downshift real quick while stopping (descending) on a hill, it’s a good time I recommend it.

 

I drive in s4 daily or s5 keep the converter locked and trans temps cool also

 

S mode always. I leave it in 4th around town, shift up when getting on the freeway. Downshift when exiting to make use of engine braking. Plan ahead and downshift early, don't use the brakes much at all.

Dan

 

I am so use to using S mode that the other day, in my wife's Highlander, we were driving on the highway and came around a corner up to some stopping traffic. I bumped it over into 4th and then naturally downshifted to 3rd then 2nd with some high revs and came to a nice and controlled, but quick stop. My wife looked at me and said "How the f@ck did you just do that with my truck, And teach me how to do it!!!" Lol we call it the manual-matic mode.

 

Coming from someone that loves driving stick and the ability to engine brake, I wouldn't downshift my Tundra to engine brake. Without a way to rev match it does not do it smoothly at all and I'd rather wear my brakes than the transmission. That said, if I know I am going to be going down a steep dissent, I will definitely limit it to a low gear to create engine braking, but I cringe if I have to do it when already moving since it does not do it smoothly at all like a manual gear box can.

 

S mode is really not "manual" shifting; it basically just limits the highest gear available to the transmission...

 

No Owner's Manual?

 

Being as it allows me to choose from 6 forward gears, up and down the range, it certainly serves a "manual shifting" application for my use.

 

That's weird, we have the same year truck and mine's pretty smooth.

 

Yep, mine's a 2010 and as long as I don't drop in too lower a gear, it's fine. Even "feathering" the throttle helps to smooth the shifts. Automakers have had to include software, in the newer vehicle transmissions, to down shift, with a brake tap, when the grade is steep enough. The only reason being, today's "drivers" wouldn't dare touch the shifter except for D-P and 'sometimes' R!

 

I’ve always wondered if I should use the S mode. Any tips, trucks, or hints? I tried it out for a short bit the other day, just need to get used to it really.

 

Leave it in s4 around town and s5 on the freeway

 

Of course not as smooth as a manual, but when I'm in S mode, I'm usually in Tow/haul mode as well. With that combo, and practice to know what your gear/rpm/mph range is, I find it extremely smooth and quite rewarding. But I always use engine braking as supplemental to the actual brakes. It's not like I'm driving 70 and bang it into 2nd without braking at all and let the revs go red. But applied together they work better than just the brakes, hands down, and the brakes do last longer too.

Also, it was my wife's Highlander... Not my Tundra

 

I just wish that when you switched from D to S while driving it would go to what gear you're in. The problem I have sometimes is being in D and wanting to shift down but not from 6 to 4 but thats what happens.

 

The default position is 4 when shifting from D to S. I adjust my speed accordingly and it all works out very well. When I'm on the freeway, I begin to decelerate from 6 and drop to 5 and then to 4 as I enter the exit lane. Very comfortable and easy on all of the drive components. I touch the brakes before coming to a stop. Planning ahead is essential in doing this efficiently. My brakes will last a long, long time.

Dan

 

I played with S mode on my first Tundra in 2011, but never really had a use for it. I towed a lot with my 2nd Tundra, so, I just used tow/haul mode when I towed.
The RAM promaster van I had in-between Tundras was an anemic 3.6 V6. It was geared to be quick off the start (1st-3rd were pretty squirrely, since it's a stop/go delivery van platform) but it fell on its face in 5th/6th and had to downshift with the slightest resistance. Seriously,...if I had a blast of headwind on a flat road, it would have to downshift to 5th to maintain highway speed. Anyway, long story longer,...the van had "S mode" too, so I used it when we were climbing a mountain at Sequoia NP. I kept it from shifting higher than 3rd. Those are the only situations that I find it useful.
I don't use it in theTundra because rpms @70 mph in 5th are just too high. Just burning extra fuel for no good reason. It has enough torque that it doesn't need to constantly downshift when in 5th and 6th.

 

In my 2010 SR5,Tow Haul mode holds gears longer, nothing else. I'll continue using 'S' mode and replace brakes every 100,000 miles or so.

 

When transmission is in 5 or 6 gear, the torque converter is locked most of the time. It does not generate heat. Stop and go is what generates heat. Or slowly climbing a steep hill.

 

Yep. I know what T/H does. That's why I use it when I tow.
Use whatever mode makes you happy. Your truck, your gas, your brakes, etc.
Just giving my perspective and reasoning.
Your response makes it sound like you think I'm telling people not to use it. Not the case.
Cheers.

 

This is a worrying sign. From wear point of view, the best gear engagement is quick and firm (but not bumpy). When it is "extremely smooth" it means the clutch pack is slipping as hell and wears out.

 

I’ve always had assumption that you’ll mess up your transmission if you drive in S mode often, any feedback with long term reliability using S mode vs Automatic?

 

I upgraded my Valve Body with a IPT unit from John Lombardo's shop in NJ. The Shift Kit he includes, eliminates the heat building slipping between gears.