Some links on the topic.

https://www.toyotanation.com/forum/...eneration-2018/1600826-2018-camry-se-paddle-shifting.html?1600826=#post13569330
https://www.toyotanation.com/forum/...mry-8th-generation-2018/1631480-help-sequential-mode.html?1631480=#post13836200
https://www.toyotanation.com/forum/...neration-2018/1587738-question-sequential-shift-mode.html?1587738=#post13433338
https://www.toyotanation.com/forum/...mry-8th-generation-2018/1631480-help-sequential-mode.html?1631480=#post13834724

I think I have an understanding of how these paddle shifters work, just wanted to see if this is correct?

The paddle shifters' only function is to set the upper limit of the transmission shift range.

• Whatever the S* number is (S1, S2, S3, S4, etc), that's the upper limit of the gear shifts that the transmission will normally allow. For example, in S5 you can floor the throttle from a start and it'll go through gears 1 to 5 but it won't go any higher than 5 unless there is a danger of over-revving.
• When you come to a stop, the transmission will shift back down from 5 to 1 by itself even though it still says S5.
• If you're cruising along and you want to pass somebody and you need a lower gear, say 3rd gear, then using the paddle to downshift is really just limiting the upper limit of the gear shifts down from 5 to 3. The transmission will still downshift from 5 to 3 (unless your speed is too high for 3rd), but only because you're limiting the upper range and not actually selecting 3rd gear.

In all situations, the transmission is programmed to disallow harmful downshifts (ie. going 80 and downshifting to 3rd). Upshifting to 8th gear does no harm (ie. won't lug the engine) because it's not actually in 8th gear, but simply limited the upper range to 8th. If the transmission fluid temperature is too hot, it'll start selecting higher upper limits when you hit the paddles. Basically, the transmission is securely locked down to keep the driver from intentionally or unintentionally hurting the car.

The "S" is not a true Sequential mode. It is a shift limiting mode.

When you move it to "S", from a stop you will be in S4. You will want to tap the paddles or stick down to S1.
When moving, "S" will default to the current gear, or if the "A.I." thinks you need it, one gear lower.
When accelerating, you will "request" a gear limit. S1... obviously, will limit you to 1st gear, unless you hit redline, at which time it will move to S2. If you keep your foot down while accelerating, and select S2, it will shift to S2... When it feels it's time for it. You can not force an upshift. You can request an upshift - but it will be executed when the A.I. feels it's correct. You can *almost* always force a downshift. It will not allow you to downshift, if the next gear would rev the engine to within 500 rpm of redline.

 

Someone in that first linked thread mentioned using S8 instead of D. What's the difference between the two?

 

Like taking off from a stop? That might just “lug” the motor.....I think?


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Here`s what I discovered:

Using S makes the car feel better at slower speeds. This was already confirmed by many owners here. But... using D and playing with the paddle sifters can achieve similar results.

For whatever reason, when launching, the cars sets the max gear at D3 or D4 but you can force it with the paddle sifter higher at D6 to D8. Doing that improves how the car drives at slower speeds. Maybe the TCM/ECM adjust the torque delivery based on the total gear interval set (in this case manually set).

That is also beneficial when coasting at lower speeds (40-60 km/h). The car has the tendency to "engine brake" because it stays in a lower gear. Using the paddle sifter to force it in D6 to D8 makes it lose that braking effect.

Some times I just have the impression that S and D are just doing the same thing...

 

Here`s what I discovered:



Using S makes the car feel better at slower speeds. This was already confirmed by many owners here. But... using D and playing with the paddle sifters can achieve similar results.



For whatever reason, when launching, the cars sets the max gear at D3 or D4 but you can force it with the paddle sifter higher at D6 to D8. Doing that improves how the car drives at slower speeds. Maybe the TCM/ECM adjust the torque delivery based on the total gear interval set (in this case manually set).



That is also beneficial when coasting at lower speeds (40-60 km/h). The car has the tendency to "engine brake" because it stays in a lower gear. Using the paddle sifter to force it in D6 to D8 makes it lose that braking effect.



Some times I just have the impression that S and D are just doing the same thing...

[emoji2361]there is so much wrong with this comment.

D = Drive and will go back into full auto shifting mode on it own.
S = Sequential and mimics a manual transmission

Yes when you first switch to S mode it will go in S4 or S5 but you can paddle down to S1.

As stated the car always starts in first gear no matter which mode you use but with S it will hold the gear shown longer, however, at a certain rev limit it will auto shift to higher gears so you don’t hurt your car.

You cannot hurt the car in either mode. The car is smarter than you and won’t let that happen.


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I have been playing around with this feature and do not profess to fully understand it all. However, I did come across the article linked below that provides some basic general info

https://www.autolist.com/guides/what-are-paddle-shifters

 

The way the paddle shifter operation is programmed really sucks. Basically the gear that reads out on the display is the max gear setting the car will shift up to (unless you hit redline than the car will upshift to protect itself). In other words if the display says S6 the car will still shift itself from 1st to 6th gear but won't go into 7th unless redline is hit. And the display will stay reading S6 until you change it even though the car may be in another gear.

The Camry can actually be fun to drive but it would be more so if the operation acted the same way as in the GTI I had. The gear display read the actual gear you were in and the car wouldn't shift itself unless you hit redline or stall speed.

 

Guys, own a 2019 xse v6 for a month now and i havent used the paddle shifters once. For some reason I cant find a good video on how to do so. I just tried a few times (very briefly) at the park but im not sure if I am doing it correctly or if I will damage my transmission.

What I do:

• put transmission in "S"
• start with S1, then upshift when im around 4-5RPM, so i end up around S4 or S5 around 50mph
• when im slowing down i go back to S1

Am I doing it right? Whenever i'm slowing down from S4 and downshifting I always hear a loud "rev" from my engine or so it seems. Not sure if this is normal. Please share your expereince driving paddle shifters, when to use it, how you use it, and if the "rev" down sounds are normal. Mostly doing this for the "cool factor" and that I already paid for the feature so why not.

PS, you can also use paddle shifters in regular "D" mode???

I gave up on S drive,non of this comments below makes any sense to me,I thought S mode will start with gear 1 and you up shift as you speed up and down shift as you slow down same as manual transmission,so why do I need S drive ?? if car is making the decisions ??

 

I use the S drive when I don't want the car to upshift to higher gears. When I'm driving through a canyon, I sometimes shift into S and set it to S4, just to feel the engine at a high rpm (more gas consumed). The car will not shift into anything higher than gear 4. If i need to go to a lower gear, i just downshift and then upshift back to S4 afterward.

 

IMO Paddle shifters are worthless things on a V6. I would rather have had factory fogs or a heated wheel instead of the paddles. They're for kids.

 

I don't see the reason to have paddle shifters if you don't have a DSG transmission like on a Porsche or Ferrari. I would prefer a well programmed automatic over paddle shifters any day.

 

There you go....that's what I'm talking about.

 

They were a novelty in my opinion.....at least on a Camry.