Sports Mode Questions

[4RunnerAU]

I've been using Sports mode quite extensively over the past month or two, such to the point that I'm always in Sports mode unless I'm on the highway and going 60+MPH. Engine braking is extremely helpful in Atlanta's stop-n-go traffic plus the transmission seems to upshift more aggressively in Sports mode versus Drive. I've noticed my MPGs haven't been impacted since doing driving in Sports mode.

Here's my questions: Does frequent shifting place strain on the transmission that could cause it to fail earlier than if I had left in Drive? Has anyone here had problems with the transmission that has used Sports mode frequently?

 

[Whiplash Willy]

All "Sport Mode" does is limit the highest gear it will shift to. It doesn't change the frequency or aggressiveness of the shifting. It doesn't change throttle response or anything else. Putting it in "S5" is essentially the same as keeping it in drive.

To answer your question, our transmissions are pretty basic and stout. The A750F has been in production since 2003, and has been proven to be reliable across several platforms, and even multiple generations. There hasn't been many issues with this transmission, even when abused. I doubt you will ever see any issues with your transmission, even if you exclusively drive it in S mode.

Also, keeping it in S4, and driving around town would actually decrease the amount of shifting the tranny does, since its economy focused programming always wants to put you in 5th, in every situation possible.

 

[Ron4RNevada]

When off road, I'm always in Sports Mode. My brakes will probably last forever.

 

[Engineer]

It gets mad if you try to make it shift into 1st when going to fast.........talks back

 

[adam2562]

I have noticed.. that when i'm driving and it's in D-Drive (and i'll count which gear i'm in) i'll switch it over into 4 from D and it'll either open up the TC or something. the rpm's bump up. some will probably bash me.. but give it a shot.. i could be wrong

 

[diverscale]

Quick note:

If you don't keep your shifter on D or S5, you lose the flex-lock, which per scangauge, helps a lot toward fuel economy in town driving. (Edit for clarification, keeping flex-lock, shifter in D, helps for fuel economy, not the other way round)

You get flex-lock on 3rd, 4th, 5th gear when in D. you lose it in S1-2-3-4.

For example, when in S4, you will only get a lockup high up toward the 60's mph approximatly.

In D, you will get flex-lock from approximatly 32mph in 3-4-5th gear with low throttle %, and full lock at about 40mph, which again, really helps for town driving fuel economy when I've tested with the scangauge.

 

[adam2562]

Quick note:

If you don't keep your shifter on D or S5, you lose the flex-lock, which per scangauge, helps a lot toward fuel economy in town driving.

You get flex-lock on 3rd, 4th, 5th when in D. you lose it in S1-2-3-4.

For example, when in S4, you will only get a lockup high up toward the 60's mph approximatly.

In D, you will get flex-lock from approximatly 32mph in 3-4-5th gear with low throttle %, and full lock at about 40mph.

that must explain what i was talking about

 

[DesertCanyons]

Sports mode shifting

I just got my new T4R Trail last week. On Sunday I drove up into the local mountains on a steep winding paved road, Angeles Crest Highway 2. I shifted into S4 to keep the vehicle from shifting into overdrive on the way uphill and back down. It went great both ways and going downhill I only needed to brake a few times.
I usually drive this road at around 35 mph. The speed limit is 45. Some of the little hot cars and motor bikes race at speeds well over 45. Since I'm only going a few miles to my favorite trail and I don't want anyone riding my tail when I have to turn left at the turnout, I pull over and let everyone go by at turnouts.

 

[Binoshnoop]

btw "S" stands for "Sequential", not for "Sport"

 

[BlackWorksInc]

btw "S" stands for "Sequential", not for "Sport"

Glad someone said that... Toyota doesn't do "Sports" mode on our transmissions. It's not manual shifting, it's selective. You don't select 4th gear and the transmission stays in it like a manual; you're telling the TCM that you do not want to shift above 4th gear and it will decide what gear to shift into from 1st to 4th.

 

[FrontRange4Runner]

btw "S" stands for "Sequential", not for "Sport"

Yay! This gets confused a lot on the forum. The 4Runner has no "sport" mode. No BOF SUV should have "sport" mode. All sequential mode does is allow you to select gears. That's it. The transmission shifts a lot as it is, so I don't see how picking when it shifts would be detrimental to transmission life. The Runner has too many nannys to let you destroy the transmission in S mode.

 

[rktroutbum]

"S" 4 around town and for towing has been great for me.

 

[Atlantan]

S Mode doesn't downshift

Unlike Sport modes I have operated in other vehicles... this one doesn't downshift by itself. If you were in 3rd while approaching a Stop sign, it remains in 3rd. Anyone else find this unusual?

 

[Bevo]

Unlike Sport modes I have operated in other vehicles... this one doesn't downshift by itself. If you were in 3rd while approaching a Stop sign, it remains in 3rd. Anyone else find this unusual?

Yes it does. It will shift all the way down to first automatically. The only thing it is doing is limiting the top gear that the transmission will shift up to. Otherwise it is operating like normal.

 

[Ghetro]

Yes it does. It will shift all the way down to first automatically. The only thing it is doing is limiting the top gear that the transmission will shift up to. Otherwise it is operating like normal.

Exactly, and it'll even overrule you on that if you push it too far. I tried leaving it in 2 on an onramp during my test drive - it beeped at me and shifted up before redlining.

 

[Bilbo]

Of course, the 4th Gen 4Runner models were SR5, Limited, and Sport Edition. But that was back when they were trying to market the on-road capabilities of a BOF SUV.

 

[jdtaylor42]

This is good information to know. These things have so many options that I believe this is the first owners manual I have actually read some from. I wasn't sure what the terrain selector switch and crawl assist did so I had to read up on that

 

[03_4x4Runner]

On my current 4runner and my old 03 I automatically go to the S mode. Overdrive is useless at low speeds and the hills around here. In overdrive you are constantly riding the brakes going down hill and there is a lot of gear hunting going uphill. On roads where the speed limit is 45 or above I shift to 5th. In the mountains it usually remains in 4th also. Never had a problem in 12 years. The trans shifts and feels the same in either mode, it just locks out 5th in s mode. Also on my 14 in the S mode that stupid eco display does not show up under the digital speedometer.

 

[Atlantan]

Yes it does. It will shift all the way down to first automatically. The only thing it is doing is limiting the top gear that the transmission will shift up to. Otherwise it is operating like normal.

Thanks, if it doesn't ...I will make a service appointment and report back.

Exactly, and it'll even overrule you on that if you push it too far. I tried leaving it in 2 on an onramp during my test drive - it beeped at me and shifted up before redlining.

Thanks, given that I have 111 miles...won't try to redline it just yet. I I want to but won't.

 

[Atlantan]

Yes it does. It will shift all the way down to first automatically. The only thing it is doing is limiting the top gear that the transmission will shift up to. Otherwise it is operating like normal.

Thanks, if it doesn't ...I will make a service appointment and report back.

Exactly, and it'll even overrule you on that if you push it too far. I tried leaving it in 2 on an onramp during my test drive - it beeped at me and shifted up before redlining.

Thanks, given that I have 111 miles...won't try to redline it just yet. I want to but won't.