5th & 6th Generation (2002-2006 & 2007-2011)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 2002-2006 & 2007-2011
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Question about the gear shift on my 08 Toyota Camry
Hello!
I'm new here, and I had kinda a noob question I wanted to ask. I'm now the proud owner of a new 2008 Toyota Camry LE. I feel pretty silly asking, but I simply don't know. What are the 4, 3, 2, and L for on the gear shift?
Someone told me it's to switch the cylinders. I could drive at 3 or 2 cylinders, for example. That will apparently save gas when driving slow. Also, apparently L is for left cylinders? Is this true? If I'm stuck in traffic, going 10mph average, can I just switch the gear to 2, and it will save gas?
Last edited by JackTheRipper87; 03-21-2009 at 02:20 AM.
What are the 4, 3, 2, and L for on the gear shift?
EDIT:
Someone told me it's to switch the cylinders. I could drive at 3 or 2 cylinders, for example. That will apparently save gas when driving slow. Also, apparently L is for left cylinders? Is this true? If I'm stuck in traffic, going 10mph average, can I just switch the gear to 2, and it will save gas?
You answered your own question!
The gear shifter selects the gear you want to use. Your camry has a 5 speed (gear) Automatic transmission.
Starting from
P-Park
L-Low gear or 1st gear
2-2nd gear
3-3rd gear
4-4th gear
D-5th gear or (over drive)
You want to stay in D for the most optimum fuel savings if you are on level gradients. The other gears are used according to the varying slopes you can find out there and usually you don't really need to change down at all. If the transmission is gear hunting (keeps switching between to gears), you can decide to just got to the next lower gear.
NEVER...EVER NEVER DO A DRASTIC CHANGE Like D to 2 or L. You change the gears as the mph warrants it.
Then there's towing, but we'll skip that.
__________________
**ADAM! A/C button for Gen 5.5 Camry (2005 LE) !! Por favor!
Brake lights aren't broken, I just don't brake.
--Can honestly go to a parts counter and ask for brake shoes for the front brakes.
--Likes long walks on the beach.... once it's lit by a massive bonfire.
If you are already in 5th gear, you can't go any higher can you? You may choose to go down to 4th if you like, especially if the tranny is gear hunting.
__________________
**ADAM! A/C button for Gen 5.5 Camry (2005 LE) !! Por favor!
Brake lights aren't broken, I just don't brake.
--Can honestly go to a parts counter and ask for brake shoes for the front brakes.
--Likes long walks on the beach.... once it's lit by a massive bonfire.
Last edited by RningOnFumes; 03-21-2009 at 04:39 AM.
If you are already in 5th gear, you can't go any higher can you? You may choose to go down to 4th if you like, especially if the tranny is gear hunting.
True. Sometimes I'll be driving downhill, and the car will start to pick up speed, so I'll gently press down on the brake, and eventually it'll shift down on its own I think. The car stops picking up speed so fast, and the RPM needle goes up. Can I just shift down to 4th if my car starts going too fast?
EDIT: This is usually on the highway, so I'm going around 70ish, I'm assuming its in 5th.
Before you do anything else, sit down with the owner's manual and read it cover to cover. You are the poster child for those who argue that there are too many idiots on the highway. There used to be a joke about a guy who put the car in 'R' for RACE. It was intended to be humorous. I suspect the humor is lost on you. Please, stay in California until you learn to drive, and I will avoid the state so that we avoid an unfortunate encounter.
__________________
2007 V6 Camry LE, Built TMMK 27 September 06
"People who think they know it all are particularly irritating to those of us who do."
Before you do anything else, sit down with the owner's manual and read it cover to cover. You are the poster child for those who argue that there are too many idiots on the highway. There used to be a joke about a guy who put the car in 'R' for RACE. It was intended to be humorous. I suspect the humor is lost on you. Please, stay in California until you learn to drive, and I will avoid the state so that we avoid an unfortunate encounter.
Hey! Cali has great drivers-- the ones asleep in bed!
__________________
**ADAM! A/C button for Gen 5.5 Camry (2005 LE) !! Por favor!
Brake lights aren't broken, I just don't brake.
--Can honestly go to a parts counter and ask for brake shoes for the front brakes.
--Likes long walks on the beach.... once it's lit by a massive bonfire.
Before you do anything else, sit down with the owner's manual and read it cover to cover. You are the poster child for those who argue that there are too many idiots on the highway. There used to be a joke about a guy who put the car in 'R' for RACE. It was intended to be humorous. I suspect the humor is lost on you. Please, stay in California until you learn to drive, and I will avoid the state so that we avoid an unfortunate encounter.
Hahaha. It's kind of funny, ask anyone, and they'll all tell you, California is full of horrible drivers. It's all true too. It's even worse in LA. I, however, have been driving for 4 years now. Never been into an accident, and only one ticket. Parking ticket too, so I don't think it's a big deal. I like to think of myself as a pretty good driver compared to most people.
I'm just a very basic driver I think, this is my first "new" car, before this one I've driven old pieces of junk. It never really crossed my mind either, for the most part I really didn't even need to know this. I was just curious. I really do have to get out of this state. If the horrible drivers and traffic don't get you, the high gas prices will.
The first time I test drove my 07 camry I was totally confused! I have never driven a 5 speed before, and am used to putting it in D or Overdrive, and any other camry I had ever driven had a little button to turn over drive on. I kept trying to find that button, and was afraid putting it in D would run the RPMs super high, and I was totally not about to ask the dealer, I would look like a complete sucker! But, I figured there was no button since I was going 70+ and the RPM was still below 2. But I did feel like a dummy staring at that little shifter ha ha!
the only time you should use the lower gears is when you are going down a hill covered in snow or ice. But since you guys don't get any of that i don't feel like explaining why. Just put the car in drive and do just that...drive.
One thing I do hate about the shifter, is not having the ability to lock into into place. I have a dog that goes around with me sometimes and in several ocassions she hits the shifter and it goes into reverse while driving. Luckily Toyota played it safe by not having the car go into reverse while driving; I think it puts it in neutral (usually nothing happens) when its running foward. I miss the locking button.
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I felt silly too!
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