S Vs D on gear shifter?

[Joel C]

Perhaps you guys can answer this so that even I can understand it. I just picked up a 2013 SR5 this past weekend and would like to know what the difference is between D & S on the gear shifter and in what case would you use the S selection? I noticed in S position you can toggle from 1 to 5, what’s that all about?

Thank you,
Joel

 

[Logan714]

It's the 'Sport' mode.

Look in your owners manual, I am pretty sure it goes more in depth there. It allows you to shift gears when you want vice the vehicle doing it automatically in 'D'.

 

[westwind77]

'S' stands for Spectacular - 1 through 5 is a rating system with 5 being the highest or best. You are suppose to select how you are feeling that day or at that moment and drive with the corresponding number. A 'warm and fuzzy' or 'cold and bitter' aurora will surround your 4R and let other drivers know how you are feeling. It is great in traffic to leave on 1 as other drivers will be less prone to cut you off as they know you are having a bad day.

...or you could just :rtfm:

 

[Joel C]

Okay now that makes sense, in my case I’ll just have it welded in the #1 position. I did read the manual and it wasn’t very clear, I’ll give it another once over tonight.
J

 

[vicpick58]

The way I understand it is, that since there is no 4,3,2,1, on the shift quadrant, the "S" is provided so you can use the lower gears when needed.

Like when driving in the mountains.