Reverse + and -

[Alterfalter]

Does anyone know if there is an easy way to reverse the manual shifting option in a 2010 Highlander? To me the + and - just seem counterintuitive, so i end up shifting down when i actually want to go up one. Thanks

[TrailDust]

Never heard of such an option. I did the same thing when I first got my Highlander, but like anything else you get used to it in short order.

[05Moose]

Forget the plus/minus. Just learn to pull back when you want to slow it down in a lower gear. It's identical to all automatic transmissions. You always pull the lever back to shift to a lower gear.

[Evo[5.0]]

dont mean to hijack Alterfalter, but how can i learn how to drive using the + -? i never never drove manual

[TrailDust]

Originally Posted by Evo[5.0]

dont mean to hijack Alterfalter, but how can i learn how to drive using the + -? i never never drove manual

I'll give it a whirl.

If you look down at your shift lever you'll see S-D just below the Neutral position. If your shift lever is on the right side of that detent then you're in Drive, and if you move it to the left you'll be in S-mode. When you put the transmission in S-mode it engages in 4th gear by default and you will see "4th" displayed just to the left of your odometer. Pulling the shift lever back toward the (-) negative symbol the digit will change from 4th to 3rd, then to 2nd, etc., each time you pull back. Pushing the lever forward toward the (+) symbol will progress into higher gears until your reach 5th. For reference, your owner's manual has similar information and diagrams. Hope this helps.

[Evo[5.0]]

ah i see. yea i notice when i first put the the car in s-mode it goes straight to 4th gear which i found odd. if the car isnt moving shouldnt it be in 0 or 1st gear

is there a advantage to driving in s-mode?

[sweeneyp]

Originally Posted by Evo[5.0]

ah i see. yea i notice when i first put the the car in s-mode it goes straight to 4th gear which i found odd. if the car isnt moving shouldnt it be in 0 or 1st gear

is there a advantage to driving in s-mode?

Maybe when towing to keep it in 4th gear while towing on interstate to keep it from gear jumping too often.
I use mine mostly for holding speeds going down steep hills instead of cooking the brakes. Or if I see a red light ahead to gradually decelerate.
I've found the s-mode mostly just gives the car suggestions on what gear to be in, not force it to be in it. If you are stopped and put it in 4th, then it will change gears (starting at 1) while accelerating and stop at 4th gear.
If you downshift it will go to 3 if and only if it thinks your going slow enough (hence the mind of its own)
Now if you put it in 1st gear and floor it you will get (besides a lot of wheel spin off a stop...lack of grip on tires...) the engine to hit the redline and jerk violently, until you shift up. So it does work somewhat in that situation.

[jgayman]

I just don't understand the flirtation automakers have with these +/- manual shifters. Don't get me wrong, I've had plenty of manual shift cars over the years... 3-speed column, 4-speed, 5-speed, etc. but I've gotten to the point where I prefer auto.

I've tried manual shifting my '11 Highlander and a few other vehicles with the +/- setting and I've come to the conclusion that the automatic setting does a better job than I do at being in the proper gear at the proper time.

Besides, the engines are just so darn quiet you really cannot "feel" when to shift anyway.

[TrailDust]

I'm not a control freak, but on the other hand I want to be able to make a better gear selection than the computer can do. On certain hills or grades I like to shift down to 4th (or even 3rd on very steep hills) and keep a steady pace instead of having the computer keep going back and forth between gears. Also, if I'm on city/suburban streets with 30 to 50 MPH speeds, I like to have it in 4th for better throttle response. In the end it's all about options, and I'd rather have the option to select gears myself instead of strictly relying on the computer.

[AML]

Originally Posted by 05Moose

Forget the plus/minus. Just learn to pull back when you want to slow it down in a lower gear. It's identical to all automatic transmissions. You always pull the lever back to shift to a lower gear.

Vehicles like Audi, VW, BMW, Porsche, etc. have their automanual controls reversed. They designed their automanual shift operations based on sequential manual transmissions used in race cars which downshift when pressed forward, and upshift when pulled back. It is more intuitive to pull back to upshift as the g-forces upon acceleration force your body back, and upon deceleration the g-forces force your body forward. To me this is much more natural than the way it is designed in Toyota/Lexus or other vehicles that do it this way.

Originally Posted by jgayman

I just don't understand the flirtation automakers have with these +/- manual shifters. Don't get me wrong, I've had plenty of manual shift cars over the years... 3-speed column, 4-speed, 5-speed, etc. but I've gotten to the point where I prefer auto.

I've tried manual shifting my '11 Highlander and a few other vehicles with the +/- setting and I've come to the conclusion that the automatic setting does a better job than I do at being in the proper gear at the proper time.

Besides, the engines are just so darn quiet you really cannot "feel" when to shift anyway.

In a normal everyday car like the Highlander, it is designed less to be used as a manual transmission mimic and more as a modern take on the traditional PRND4321 gear limiter for engine braking.