Can't shift up

[Reigns]

I have an 05 SLE w/v6 engine and automatic transmission.

The little "+/-" on the gear shift left from "D" that is supposed to let us select our own gear in drive doesn't shift up for me. Even if I use it to shift down, I can't use it to shift back up.

[fzzyrn]

the thing about that is that it doesn't really control the gear. It just lets you set the maximum gear that the car will shift into. If it's set at 4, you won't start at 4 from a dead stop. It's essentially automatic with a little more control.

Usually, if you're approaching the shift RPM, which is something like 3.5K, it should shift in good time. If you're above the shift point, it should shift immediately, but may be a bit rough.

[youngblood]

the thing about that is that it doesn't really control the gear. It just lets you set the maximum gear that the car will shift into. If it's set at 4, you won't start at 4 from a dead stop. It's essentially automatic with a little more control.

Usually, if you're approaching the shift RPM, which is something like 3.5K, it should shift in good time. If you're above the shift point, it should shift immediately, but may be a bit rough.

Excellent explanation^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^+1

[Black Bob]

....or as some of us northerners have learned, when it's -25°F outside the transmission ain't too keen on upshifting right away.

[fzzyrn]

also, i like to ease off the gas as the engine approaches shift rpm. Luckily, toyota has made it so the gear shifts at the speeds of majority for most streets. In short, 1st to 2nd at 20mph, 2nd to 3rd and 35mph, 3rd to 4th at 50ish, 4th to 5th at some highish speed (i haven't quite experimented with the last two).