Newbie question re: "S" mode on V6

[Blade37db]

I am thoroughly confused on the "S" mode on my new Camry LE. I mistakenly thought it was like my old VW Tiptronic where you go into "manual" mode and the car stayed in that gear until you up shifted or stopped (then it automatically downshifted to 1). Now that I read the manual, it appears "s" mode just makes the car a 6, 5, 4, 3 or 2 speed and the tranny then shifts between the available gears. I was shocked when I was in "3" and I felt the car shift (from 2 to 3 maybe). At one point I was accelerating in "3" and was at about 3000 rpms and shifted to "4" and it was about another 1500 - 2000 rpms before it shifted.
Any insight/help is appreciated.

[Mistabullet]

It's pretty much a gear limiter in that it won't go any higher then the gear displayed.

[Blade37db]

Thanks for the reply. That seems to be what I'm finding out. I guess the dumb question is: what is the correct use for it/when should you use it? I'm thinking of a situation like stop & go traffic to let the amount of shifting. Other than that

[DiLan]

Another question to add. If the V6 "S" mode is basically just limiting the highest gear, what is the difference between that and the regular I4 shiftgate downshifting i.e. D 4 3 2 1
?

[Mistabullet]

Originally Posted by DiLan

Another question to add. If the V6 "S" mode is basically just limiting the highest gear, what is the difference between that and the regular I4 shiftgate downshifting i.e. D 4 3 2 1
?

They accomplish the same thing except the S mode is easier/smoother, gives you a nice display, and just nifty-er.

Originally Posted by Blade37db

What is the correct use for it/when should you use it?

It comes in handy when you want to pass someone. The "S" mode allows you to put the tranny into gear and let it wait until your ready to pass. Which is a lot faster then stepping on the gas and waiting for it to climb down from 6th gear into the appropriate gear.

Other then that you can just use it for "s"pirited driving. Have fun.



Now, I have a question of my own:
Is downshifting to slow the car down when approaching a stoplight (in addition to using the brakes for the final stop) good/bad for the engine or tranny?
I figured since the car can handle 268HP then it can handle being driven by it's own weight right? Plus, I like being in the proper gear for emergency purposes.

[DiLan]

Originally Posted by Mistabullet

Now, I have a question of my own:
Is downshifting to slow the car down when approaching a stoplight (in addition to using the brakes for the final stop) good/bad for the engine or tranny?
I figured since the car can handle 268HP then it can handle being driven by it's own weight right? Plus, I like being in the proper gear for emergency purposes.

I would like to know too, I have the I4 but if it's the same principle (limiting the gears) then will there be any extensive wear on the tranny or engine if I downshift to slow down(or speed up), or is there something in the V6 tranny that is different that allows it to be able to do this. (also I tend to let go of the throttle when shifting)

[Streaker]

Just keep playing with it. You'll find the right gear for the right situation.

[RningOnFumes]

I would imagine that though it's "like" a manual, you can't treat it like one and use engine braking to slow you down---you're asking for trouble. (even with manuals, you're asking for trouble)

I can only imagine two scenerios where you use engine braking....mountain accent/decent and heavyload or towing (towing..HAH!)

Engine braking if someone asks, is using a lower gear to slow your car down.



Edit:


IE... once in a long long while you can if you'd like-- when you don't really need it like the stated scenerios

[Hyfly1]

I use the S-mode for engine braking down steep hills in town. I slow down to approximately 20 mph, slip it into S and down to 2. I don't use it to slow down the car, just to keep it slow on the downhill. At the bottom of the hill I just slip it into D again. Seems to work pretty good for that purpose.

[Kidd07]

I was told that "s" mode stood for sport mode and "d" was normal driving. It feels sportier if you leave it in "s" mode, but who knows.

[onsknht]

Going to S-mode also disables Artificial Intelligence (AI) <<<---- Yes, that's real, look it up in your manual.

In the U660E, S-mode = SEQUENTIAL NOT SPORT. There is no 'sport' about it, it sucks.

Downshifting can be accomplished in any automatic transmission, it's just how you provide the "user interface." The U660E takes about three full seconds to respond to an input, so plan ahead when using it... Otherwise the rev limiter and hard braking will be you friends.

[T4CAMRY]

SOMETIME IT'S JUST FUN