How many people use manual shift all the time?

[abin]

We had light snow in this area today, first snow for this season during rush hour. In addition to switching to 4WD as I would normally do when it is wet, I also use manual shift L-1-2-3-D at bumper-to-bumper. I started my driving with auto transmission, so I don't really use the manual shift very often. I am wondering how many people use it on daily basis. Also, the new model has 5 speed, I feel it would be more difficult to operate it. What do you think?

 

[Big E]

The only time I really ever manually shift mine is on this one section of downhill road near my home. At the bottom is a common spot for cops to set up radar, so, as I start my descent down the hill, I'll often slide it over into "3" so I hold my speed at 40mph.

 

[Iowa4Runner]

We had light snow in this area today, first snow for this season during rush hour. In addition to switching to 4WD as I would normally do when it is wet, I also use manual shift L-1-2-3-D at bumper-to-bumper. I started my driving with auto transmission, so I don't really use the manual shift very often. I am wondering how many people use it on daily basis. Also, the new model has 5 speed, I feel it would be more difficult to operate it. What do you think?

As general rule I don't like automatic transmissions, and the 4Runner's is certainly no exception. Maybe it's good for off-roading, but it sucks for commuting. Even though the shift gate pattern is annoying, I use 3-4-D all the time in my daily driving.

 

[Scrappy125]

Re: Re: How many people use manual shift all the time?

As general rule I don't like automatic transmissions, and the 4Runner's is certainly no exception. Maybe it's good for off-roading, but it sucks for commuting. Even though the shift gate pattern is annoying, I use 3-4-D all the time in my daily driving.

Have you noticed any excessive wear, or other negatives? I had the "sportshift"feature on my last car and enjoyed having some control over the engine. I'd love to be able to use it in the 4runner, but was scared to try it.

 

[trd_style]

i drive my 4runner using N and D most of the time. not sure if it's a good thing or a bad thing. but when i'm about to stop at the stop light, i put it in neutral so it'll slow down the car more. sometimes my brakes doesn't work very well so i put it on neutral. when it's green again, i put it back to drive. not sure if this will ruin my transmission but i've done it for the longest time and nothing really bad happen.. yet?

 

[Northof49]

I don't shift down through gears to come to a stop.....but I do use all the gears depending on what hill I want to go down at what speed.

Also, for maximum acceleration I hold the gears for a few hundred extra RPM than it will shift at on it's own, and knock it out of OD for mountain passes, slowing down, passing, or other heavy loads as needed.

The gear selector is there so you can use it.....be reasonable with it and there is no reason using gears other than "D" will wear anything extraneous.

 

[Northof49]

Re: Re: Re: How many people use manual shift all the time?

Have you noticed any excessive wear, or other negatives? I had the "sportshift"feature on my last car and enjoyed having some control over the engine. I'd love to be able to use it in the 4runner, but was scared to try it.

Unless we're talking Ferrari's, Lambos, BMW's SMG, etc with "F1" style trannies (essentially electronically/hydraulically controlled manual trans'), Sportshift (or the various other names) is simply a fancy way of shifting a completely conventional automatic transmission......no different than banging your 4Runner's gear selector through the gates. Some may seem to shift more firmly when Sportshift mode, but that is simply the computer increasing line pressure; something that is done automatically in your 4R when it knows your are accelerating swiftly.

 

[JB.]

Use it constantly. I drive around town mostly in 3rd going to 2nd occasionally. I use the cruise a lot around town, also, to hold down my speed and that requires going to 4th, so I'm always messing with it.

 

[Offroader]

My 4Runner is the first Auto Transmission I own, so I'm constantly downshifting D-3-2 to extend the life of my brake pads. I only use L when coming to a complete stop or on a very steep downhill.

The manual says the transmission can be used this way, that's why it's stepped into a "ladder" and there's not a shifting button on the lever.

 

[Koz]

The only time I use the selector is when off-roading or I need to pass someone. I select the gear with power just in case the person I'm about to pass starts to accelerate because, some people will drag their ass and then when you go to pass them, all of a sudden they want to go faster. Also I like to pass as quickly and deliberately as possible.

Koz

 

[Iowa4Runner]

Re: Re: Re: How many people use manual shift all the time?

Have you noticed any excessive wear, or other negatives? I had the "sportshift"feature on my last car and enjoyed having some control over the engine. I'd love to be able to use it in the 4runner, but was scared to try it.

I haven't noticed any shift lever looseness or any signs that the transmission is wearing abnormally, but I'm only at 13,000 miles. Just to be safe, I'm usually pretty gentle on the downshifts. Banging down though the gears with the RPM hitting 4000 each time seems pretty harsh...

 

[Iowa4Runner]

some people will drag their ass and then when you go to pass them, all of a sudden they want to go faster. Also I like to pass as quickly and deliberately as possible.

Story of my life! It's times like these when I really wish I was on the bike...:zoom:

 

[Koz]

Story of my life! It's times like these when I really wish I was on the bike...:zoom:

I hear that! There's nothing like getting next to some A-Hole that thinks he/she is going to not let you pass by accelerating. If I have the room I usually let them accelerate till they think they have succeeded and down shift 2 or 3 gears (next to them) and wheelie away. It

 

[trd_style]

My 4Runner is the first Auto Transmission I own, so I'm constantly downshifting D-3-2 to extend the life of my brake pads. I only use L when coming to a complete stop or on a very steep downhill.

The manual says the transmission can be used this way, that's why it's stepped into a "ladder" and there's not a shifting button on the lever.

so it's okay to downshift on an automatic car? wouldn't ruin the tranmission?

 

[Koz]

I would avoid using the trans to shed speed. Why would you put extra wear and tear on the trans and motor. The brake pads are allot cheaper to replace.

Koz

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Just like stated above,I'd rather replace my brake pads (which should still see over 40k of life which for me is over 4 years) than have any tranny issues which will cost 10 times over what a set of pads will cost.
Just let the tranny downshift since that's what it is really designed to do.

 

[Jim_Chow]

Does that manual shifting act like a real manual in that the torque converter locks up 100% instantly, or is the torque converter still slipping? That's one thing that's nice about a true manual tranny...one your foot is off the clutch, you know it's engaged. I hate autos, too, but it seems we don't have much of a choice here. Automakers have this "build it and they will buy" attitude. They always have this lag, don't shift when you want to, gears aren't as effective in slowing the vechicle downhill as w/ a true manual tranny, etc. My feeling is, if one isn't coordinated enough to drive a normal manual tranny, one shouldn't be driving at all! The only case where I can see auto to be better than manual is for offroading on technical terrain and when the engine is a turbo diesel. In theory, once the 6spd manual FJ Cruiser is out, one could swap in the tranny/bellhousing/crossmember/ecu from the FJ into the 4runner V6, right?

 

[Koz]

The 4Runner's trans will stay in the gear you are in when you let off the gas, it will not up-shift. This is very helpful when off-roading and going downhill on pavement.

Koz

 

[toybox]

The only time I really ever manually shift mine is on this one section of downhill road near my home. At the bottom is a common spot for cops to set up radar, so, as I start my descent down the hill, I'll often slide it over into "3" so I hold my speed at 40mph.

I forget what it is called but the 4runners tranny will do this automatically if you tap the brakes going downhill. Same issue here with the cop at the bottom of the hill. Works quite well at controlling speed going downhill and it does it by itself.

 

[spyderdoc]

The only time I ever really downshift is when going up hills at highway speeds. It seems that the transmission gets into this funky state where it is constantly going between gears, so I just put it in 3 until I crest the hill I am going up. This is especially true when in cruise control....