"S"- mode just holds the transmission from shifting past S-4 by default. You can then go in and intervene and over ride that and allow other gears like you demonstrated. You can also use S-Mode from a complete stop. While at a complete stop you can over ride the S-4 selection and choose S-1 and it will not shift past that. Also, I use S-mode all the time mountain driving. Going up steep grades I can hold the truck in say S-3 for the rev's and maintain a constant speed. I love it, especially fully loaded. Same with going down a steep mountain grade. Keep the truck in S-3 for engine breaking. We have lots of mountains here in the Pacific Northwest.

@RobMotive

2 жыл бұрын

Seems that’s it’s real purpose. You’re the first I’ve heard from that actually uses it🤔

@jzila9900

2 жыл бұрын

You said s3 for steep grades? Im going to be driving a steep hill every day now and wondering how i should go about it?

@KayBertoss

2 жыл бұрын

@@jzila9900 I would suggest to experiment with "S" mode. Start with S-4 and go from there. You also have to consider if the truck is loaded or not. You can simply drive in "D" as well but you may end up using your brakes more as opposed to using engine braking via the transmission.

@jzila9900

2 жыл бұрын

@Clay Bertoss thank you clay, i read on tacomaworld that s-4 is the sweet spot for uphill driving

@jzila9900

2 жыл бұрын

@@Klaus293 hello franz , the S mode means shift limiting mode , for instance your going up a steep grade and you put it S mode 4 then it wont go past gear number 4, gear number 5 and 6 or overdrive gears ⚙️ and these 3rd gens dont really like those gears

The Sequential mode works just like your father’s Buick did when it had a 2 or 1 on the column shifter. This is just a limiter to keep higher gears locked out if you are hauling or towing. It defaults to 4th gear, 5 and 6 are overdrive gears. But you can put it in any gear, just realize this will be the highest gear the truck will shift to.

I use "S" mode all the time. I use the S4 setting (default) for around town driving, and just bump it up to 5 for sustained driving above 55. For sustained driving above 70, bump it up to 6. It works beautifully. This feature effectively locks out 5/6, so you have way less gear hunting and premature upshifting to 5th & 6th, robbing the truck of power at lower speeds.

@joecalhoun5303

Жыл бұрын

Does it improve gas mileage

@joecalhoun5303

Жыл бұрын

I got the 2023 Tacoma

@joecalhoun5303

Жыл бұрын

I got the 2.7 4 cylinder… it’s even better than my prior 4.3 Chevy Silverado V6

Rob, that "number" on your dash is the highest gear it will shift to....not necessarily the gear that you are in. It just shows the top limit that it will shift to...which you can change. So in other words, it is NOT a gear indicator, but rather a limit indication.

@joepie221

Жыл бұрын

That makes sense.

It's not a gimmick. In congested traffic I will sometimes use the S-mode and usually push it up to "5". That way it stays out of 6th gear which if it was in regular D-mode it would shift to much too early. Keeps it out of sixth and helps me in congested traffic situations.

@RobMotive

2 жыл бұрын

Not sure how that “helps”?

@spacecoastz4026

2 жыл бұрын

@@RobMotive It helps by keeping the transmission out of top gear, thus giving my truck (the 2.7L) a bit more response in getting around traffic. Not having the down-shift along with more response when you need it is the "helping" part.

@RobMotive

2 жыл бұрын

Gotcha👍

Rob at a stop you need to down shift to 1st then 2nd and so on. What it does is hold the gear a little longer than normal which helps when going up hills. I use it all the time being that I have a 4cyl. It's great to use when going up hills and getting on the freeway.

Hey Rob, I absolutely love your videos man. I'm brand new to the tacoma club with a 22 sr5 in the same color as yours. I love all the mods you've done and it's helped me figure out what I'd like to do with the truck. I appreciate you man, keep it up!

@RobMotive

2 жыл бұрын

Congrats and thanks Joey! I appreciate that👍

@Michaelobama184

2 жыл бұрын

Me too I got a white one. Now I know about s mode

I was afraid to do that man, you have guts.

@RobMotive

2 жыл бұрын

I live on the edge😬

Like others have stated, it's not really a "sport" mode. It limits the upshifts. It's often used when descending hills to limit wear on the brakes, just like other PRNDL321 shifters. I also use it in 4L when off roading to prevent it from shifting up into a higher gear to keep the engine at a preferred torque.

It's not manual it's just a shift limiter, , if it's in s 4 it won't shift past it but will down shift and up shift automatically up until the gear you have it limited too . If at complete stop and put in s1 then go it will stay in s1 and Rev high until you limit it's gear higher . If you at complete stop and put it in s6 itvwill still shift up or down as you go and stops at the limit of s6 or s5 or s4 the one you choose . You can down limit shift while in s5 s6 s4 and it will go down to that limit and tea high until alloy it to go higher . Think of it as a 2 hi or 2 lo 1-6 , lower the gear the lower 2 wheel drive slow torque you will have higher will be less torque more faster. Can also be used to save breaks on steep incline in 2 wheel drive . Or s mode for no tow up hill faster or down hill limit to slow , if towing use the ECT button up hill towing and use s mode for down hill and limit it low for controlled accent . That's my view on it , always get a OTT TUNE changes it all up for the best performance

My 06 Tacoma had 3rd and 2nd below Drive. When I bought my 24 Tacoma, I was wondering where that went. When in a National Park, and traveling along steep roads, those lower gears are needed to slow down without riding the brakes.

In sport mode it won’t shift any higher 4th. If you shift into 3rd it won’t up shift but it will down shift if you step on the pedal. It won’t let you downshift if the result will over rev the engine. I find sport mode handy when towing on a long grade. It keeps the transmission from gear hunting which is not good for the transmission. The screen shows the highest gear the transmission will shift to.

@liltalon2964

Жыл бұрын

What s-gear do you use for towing?

Yes we have a sport or power mode and I use it all the time when I am towing my camper.

@RobMotive

2 жыл бұрын

You mean the ECT button?

@benchampion4086

2 жыл бұрын

@@RobMotive yup the ECT.

@RobMotive

2 жыл бұрын

K. Was thinking I missed a “magic” button somewhere 😬

It's about saving your brakes. I live in the mountains and have a 3 mile downhill run coming home from work - I'd be buying new brakes every 20,000 miles without using this mode to engine brake. And yeah, Grandpa did it with his Buick, too.

@RobMotive

2 жыл бұрын

Personally….I’d prefer to replace brakes over transmissions 😬

@tsafa

Жыл бұрын

I am very curious about this. Is downshifting downhill saving the brakes but over working the transmission and engine???

I tow in S4 without ECT and I cruise. It doesn't hunt gears. I use D on highway and S4 around town. Sometimes I'll use S6 on interstate, but my mileage decreases and end up back in drive.

I only use s mode when toying a trail and going down hill helps with breaking.

I do use the sport mode I have a really steep hill to go down to work at 4:30 in the morning believe it or not the police are patrolling the area so I use the sport mode to keep my speed under control

I enjoy driving in manual mode on country back roads. The last 4 or 5 vehicles I have owned were capable of manual mode. My current Wrangler has been the best because of the 8 speed transmission and the 3.6L V8. 👍

@RobMotive

2 жыл бұрын

Can you drive a manual?

@dennisr7452

2 жыл бұрын

Yes I have driven manuals for many, many years. I learned on a 59 VW Bug, I bought it at age 16 and it had 1400 miles on it. I earned the money doing all kinds of jobs around the neighborhood starting at 8 years old. The last manual I owned was 2015 Ford Focus 5 speed, bad knee has me driving strictly automatics from now on.

Yes, I have it in my Tacoma and my Lexus RX 350. Only used it once in the Lexus and no, it is not as fun as a real manual. However, it might be good in the Tacoma for those that do not like the way the auto mode shifts. They can shift when they want and bypass the funky shifting.

@RobMotive

2 жыл бұрын

This is true👍

NOthing about any rpm change? Did the engine work less in the 5th and 6th gear?

It seems like the main driving gears of this truck are 4,5,6. When towing heavy it will use 1,2,3. Correct me if I'm wrong on that. Also seems like without any load you can just shift up to 6 and drive on that alone.

@tsafa

Жыл бұрын

I'm wondering if going downhill downshifted and hauling a trailer will tax the transmission and engine. Maybe saving the brakes but causing more expensive wear elsewhere. I don't know

@RobMotive

Жыл бұрын

I would think so. Brakes are cheaper😬

@tsafa

Жыл бұрын

I'm reading through some of the comments, if this is in fact a "gear limiter", then what I was speculating would not apply. What we really need is a Toyota engineer to explain how this transmission works.

Aloha and Good Evening Rob. It's good to know what the Tacoma can truly function on its capabilities when shifting the gears at various speeds. Plus, you're ensuring that the gears are lubricated when shifting at certain traveling speeds. Great video Rob.🐆🐅🐶🐕🤜🤛👌👉🏼👈🏿🤙👍🙌👀

@jordancockett3887

8 ай бұрын

🤙🏽🌴

The thing that came to me is Scotty telling Captain Kirk "I can't give you any more power"

@RobMotive

2 жыл бұрын

Lol! More than once👍

I only use the sport mode for driving up steep hills where the transmission tends to shift between gears too much. In no way shape or form is it a replacement for a true manual. Also good for winter driving here in New Hampshire where you just wanna hold a gear going down a hill in snow.

Clay Bertoss. That's rite on the money.

Feel the same about crawl control.

I wonder, maybe the gear you manually select becomes the highest gear it goes to?

I usually just use it when im going up and down the mountains

I use S mode all the time. Driving around town I use S4 so it won’t shift past 4th. Then on the highway I use S5 most of the time but do shift to S6 when flat or slight down hill. When coming up to an incline I shift back to S5 and it will hold 5th. IDK that’s the way I use it.

@Myrussell67

2 жыл бұрын

I just think 6th gear is pretty much useless in these trucks unless going down hill to lower RPMs but that’s it

What I want to know is the tachometer reading. Can you save gas?

You use it for downshifting and saving wear on the brakes. Also the gear number you see on the instrument cluster shows the top gear it will go to when stoping and starting. Ie when it shows 6 gear it will be identical to the D or drive mode. If you stop and then start it will run through the gears to the number you see on the screen. Down shifting is a foreign word to you flat lander Texans. I use it all the time and it is very useful.

@RobMotive

6 ай бұрын

Would you agree that your method puts more wear on the transmission? Given the cost of transmission replacement/repair versus brakes, doesn’t it make more sense to replace the brakes versus the transmission?

@Nails346

6 ай бұрын

@@RobMotive Good point but I don’t downshift unless the resulting lower gear is around max 3000 rpm. Helps to downshift to dump speed when getting off at an exit ramp for example. On unpaved steep roads with snow and ice or mud, I have used the upshift/downshift to manage traction and speed without winding the engine out. Staying off the brakes in that situation helps the vehicle to stay in control. The truck behind me thought my brake lights were out because i used them so infrequently. Using the shift mode allowed me to maintain positive traction at all times. In fact I was able to get around without using 4wd. The truck was new to me and i was testing traction in 2nd with shift option and it was well behind what i thought it was capable. Treating the shift lightly keeps the truck planted.

@Nails346

6 ай бұрын

Next to last sentence…..correction….not 2nd but meant 2wd

5th and 6th gears are both overdrive gears

I use the shifter in my 2022 Tacoma when passing people...

My moms 2015 4Runner has this, I want to know if I’m supposed to lift off when I shift up and down or just keep my foot down

@RobMotive

10 ай бұрын

Probably doesn’t matter either way, but I lift off.

Rob, I had the Magnuson Supercharger installed the minute it was available in my 2020 Tacoma TRD PRO 4x4. The first tune kinda sucked on shifts so I almost did a regear. Called Magnuson and they sent an updated tune to correct shifting and that really helped. However, using the ECT button, holy crap! Super fast shifting, more power, same gas mileage, 15 City, 18 Hwy. A ton more fun. Have done dozens of mods including full audio upgrade. Love your channel.

@RobMotive

2 жыл бұрын

That’s great👍

The highlander has a similar shifter with the same +S- mode shifting. I can see it being useful for DAC in gear 1-2 if you were coming down off a steep gravel road. I do a lot of rolling around in the hills and stuff, not often, but frequently enough that it's nice to have this sort of feature for my highlander.

What kind of exhaust is that?

@RobMotive

Жыл бұрын

Have a look: kzread.info/dash/bejne/dIZ7vLihldPWksY.html

Good video thx!

@RobMotive

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching 👍

Do you have to let go of the gas when switching gears?

@RobMotive

Жыл бұрын

I never did.

@djez3398

Жыл бұрын

@@RobMotive Just tried it out yesterday. It does the job. Can you switch into drive mode when driving? or do you have to come to a stop?

@RobMotive

Жыл бұрын

Yup, you can👍

Sometimes Tacoma’s have a hard time deciding what gear it wants. Always jumping from 6th to 5th or not going from 5th to 6th. Sport mode might help you from getting irritated at your Tacoma.

S mode is more for holding a gear. When off roading or pulling a heavy load and want to run in a lower gear.

Do you have to be stopped to engage 'S' mode?

@RobMotive

Жыл бұрын

Nope.

@joepie221

Жыл бұрын

@@RobMotive Thanks.

The purpose is mote for towing and steep inclines.it isn't about shifting per se like a manual.even though they pretty much push it that way

@RobMotive

2 жыл бұрын

Huh??

I get better gas mileage in s mode than regular drive. 21 taco.

Thanks for this. Had a 2008 Tacoma w 4.0ltr V6. Has this side drive that helped with hills and slowing when ciming down TRD. Won't sport mode help when climbing and or coming down a hill as the TRD did? Thank you. Jc

@RobMotive

2 жыл бұрын

It could. Would hold the gears a bit longer possibly 🤔

@RobMotive. First thanks for your video and info. But wish you had put the camera while filming on the shifter and dashboard same time so us viewers like myself can see what you were doing exactly and what your talking about much better. Cause we don't know if you were going from negative to positive etc...without you saying it, and some of us wants to see what you were doing exactly and what comes up on dashboard at same time your shifting etc.... And yes I do know how to drive an traditional manual stick shift with the clutch. I don't trust sales people much. But seriously thinking about buying the 2023 Toyota Tacoma and drove 1 yesterday for my first time, since 1990s. Asked the sales dude about it, and he said it a very stupid thing Toyota done, cause most people don't know how to use it and it makes the transmission goes bad and future with transmission problems. But how do you like your Tacoma ?

I believe the real benefit, if it is, would be driving up steep hills & or towing. It seems it would be easier on the transmission than leaving it in overdrive.

@RobMotive

2 жыл бұрын

Yup, I agree👍

Hi Rob that is not sport mode it’s sequential shift way different any reason it didn’t shift in the fifth or six because you weren’t going fast enough if you leave it in six gear it will shift just like if it’s in drive have a blessed day

@RobMotive

2 жыл бұрын

I’ve always known it as sport mode👍

If you set the number to 4th will it go past fourth. Maybe it a setting where, what you set the number at the tranny will not go past that number. How about sport with the etc button? Whats that do?

@RobMotive

2 жыл бұрын

Good question 🤔🤔

Sorry is me Víctor again so about my oil i dropped that oil and i change it my self mobile 1 it went away??? What do you think about that tic tak bout???

@RobMotive

2 жыл бұрын

Ahh! Coincidence I think. Not sure it had anything to do with the oil🤔

I know that the S is sport mode but what are the + and - ?

@RobMotive

2 ай бұрын

To go thru the gears.

@georgejones6041

2 ай бұрын

@@RobMotive .... Thanks , I just got my 2021 tacoma and still trying to figure things out . Your videos are great and very helpful in many different areas of the tacoma ..

@RobMotive

2 ай бұрын

Glad to help.

Did you lift your foot from the pedal at all?

@RobMotive

2 жыл бұрын

Not sure what you mean🤔

@Chris_Kwon_Do

2 жыл бұрын

@@RobMotive like when you shift in a manual. You have to lift of your leg from the gas. Same process here or did you keep your foot down on the gas the whole time?

@RobMotive

2 жыл бұрын

No need to lift your foot off the gas👍

S isn't for sport it stands for sequential shifting (fake stick)

@RobMotive

Ай бұрын

But it doesn't say "SS" 😂

I use my S mode 100% of the time. From 1-6 all the time. Only thing that makes driving the automatic in the Tacoma bearable. Its not manual, but at least it lets me control my shifts. No clutch, no neutral, its not manual. You know this. I love it as a happy medium between having an auto and a manual.

@RD24LFG

Жыл бұрын

What should I do for optimal performance? Put it at six and let it do it's thing? Because I believe if I'm on 4th it's won't shift upward? Thanks for your help if you respond.

I’m wondering how long this is safe for on the life of the transmission.

@RobMotive

11 ай бұрын

I wouldn’t think it’s an issue.

Would have been helpful to not only say speed but rpm.

@RobMotive

Жыл бұрын

Do you have a Tacoma?

Rob, I never tried sport mode either but I was told something important about it. When sport mode is initially engaged, it defaults to 4th gear. To get to first gear, you have to shift down to get it to third, second, then first. Seems weird to me.

@RobMotive

2 жыл бұрын

It’s very odd😬

you can go all the way to 6th gear

I need a little more convincing! is the sprint booster worth $371?

@RobMotive

2 жыл бұрын

Depends on how much lag you have and how much you value acceleration. I wouldn’t have a lag-plagued vehicle without it👍

@M-.-Jones

2 жыл бұрын

@@RobMotive I pulled the plug and decided to get it. Ordered the Sprint booster. Not sure if your code is still valid but didn’t work on the Canadian site. Although I did mention your channel name in the order details. Tell ‘em! RM sent yeah!

@RobMotive

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks man! I appreciate that. Can’t wait to hear what you think👍👍

@M-.-Jones

2 жыл бұрын

@@RobMotive Noticed you can run the sprint booster without connecting the control switch to change modes in which chase it will operate on factory default only. Happen to know what setting and level the default is?

@RobMotive

2 жыл бұрын

Nope🤔. I’d check their website 👍

I had an Infinity G35 for about 2 years (would never buy one again), it had the Automatic Transmission with the same set up as the Tacoma. After a Year of owning it I finally decided to just give it a shot. Didn’t care for it at all, it kinda sucked actually, did nothing for me. Manufacturers could lower the price of there Vehicles removing that from the Vehicle. You’d figure it’s gotta cost them at least $100, not literally of course. Who knows how much it is.

@RobMotive

2 жыл бұрын

Good point! Why bother🤔

it doesnt stand for sport LMAO

@RobMotive

2 жыл бұрын

Are you sure?

You madmen! 😬

@RobMotive

2 жыл бұрын

😵‍💫

@tsafa

Жыл бұрын

Hahah 😄

Can this break the car

@RobMotive

Ай бұрын

How so?

@user-exuytv

Ай бұрын

@@RobMotive idk I'm just asking

@RobMotive

Ай бұрын

It’s designed to be used by the manufacturer. Not sure how it could break the vehicle?

Toyota calls it SPORT mode. All it is,,,, is manual mode, nothing special or different than any other car. All newer transmissions have some safety things to keep you from exploding your trans. Not a big deal.

I was cringing through the downshifts

S=Sequential not Sport🤦🏻‍♂️

@RobMotive

2 жыл бұрын

Please let me know where in the manual you saw that term used??

@treyvordowrie1723

Жыл бұрын

From the manual: Selecting shift ranges using S mode restricts the upper limit of the possible gear ranges, controls engine braking forces, and prevents unnecessary upshifting.