sport shifter techniques...

[dude]

i have been drving my 5sp auto sport shift like its a manual tranny. ie, when i shift into higher gear, i let off throttle, then after it shifts, i am back on the throttle. seems to shift quicker and do not get that funny slip lag as opposed to full auto. it sounds like a manual tranny and the engine rpm's drop betw shifts. when i downshift, i am blipping the throttle to match revs and it shifts without the lurch. except down into 1st, it is smoother and fun. anyone think this might be bad for the tranny? has anyone else tried this or am i the only wacho who would do this?

[PXLpainter]

I've tried this a few times and the tranny freaks out royally!

Every time I've let off the gas between 1st & 2nd it can't seem to find 2nd gear and revs high in Neutral or over-revs in 1st until it finally lurches into 2nd a couple seconds later.

Downshifting however seems more responsive - unless you try it too soon of course and it "beeps" at you!

I don't know if its bad for the tranny or not - I guess time will tell how bulletproof Toyota has made these...

But you're right - the Sport Shift mode is definitely better than just D alone.

[dude]

try shifting into upper gear just before letting off the gas, then delay a little then stomp on it. but if you stomp it too hard it wants to stay in lower or if you are not going quick enough. very glad, this tranny has this. in my 00camry, i would use the selector and wonder if i am the only one who drives my camry like a madman. at least this shifter seems designed for this tranny to cope with harder useage. i think i might be wearing something out. reminds me of how the only way to "smoke" the rear tires of my father's stn wgns was to go forward then put onto rev and stomp on it. those big block wgns could lay a pretty good patch, albeit in reverse. that was fun until, one time it got stuck in 1st gear and required a new tranny. hopefully, shifting the solara tranny is different!

[PXLpainter]

Yeah - we used to "Power Brake" scratches with parent's big block boats way back when

I doubt that unless you abuse it (like trying to slam it in reverse) - it seems they've built in some safeguards (like the down-shift warning beep and hi-rev cut-out) and since it was specifically designed to be used as an "Manu-matic" shifter, it should be okay.

FWIW - I used to manually shift my V6 Tundra (3 on the tree AT w OD) and it was really responsive - drove it hard like that for over 5 years and it was solid. In fact, I once dropped my rear end as I had 34" tires with no LSD but the tranny was fine.

I drive my cars hard and expect a lot out of them - which is why I stayed with Toyota instead of going to a Ford Mustang!

[dvdchris45]

i dont think it should be to streneous on the tranny...except for maybe those nasty 2nd to 1st shifts..toyota calls it "engine braking" in the manual and doesnt dissprove of it in any way if i remember correctly

[Dishon]

question so in sport mode will it automatically upshift b4 you hit the red line

[theprodigy79]

No, it governs you at the redline and you can't accelerate any further.

I love dropping my car down in 2nd or 3rd (depending on speed) and keeping it at an upper middle rev, then stomping it... The car pulls so hard that it has actually been able to chirp the tires many times doing this (while already in motion)! It also sounds pretty badass with the CPe intake We don't drive race cars, but for a 3400lb sedan we do have some power!

[FLUXEMAG]

I almost always up and down shift with the sport selected. I don't use downshift to 1st because I don't like the feel. For upshift, I've managed to trick my brain into shifting 1-2 seconds before I want it to shift. But yeah, if I'm on the throttle it doesn't like to shift until redline or I let off a little. Even 3/4 throttle seems to be that way. Oh well, the 911 tiptronic does the same exact thing, or at least it did five years ago.

I wish the downshift would make more noise...

We used to call it a brake stand, because the rear brakes are so much smaller than the fronts, you can get a rear wheel drive car to peel as long as you want.

[theprodigy79]

Hey Fluxemag, if you want some more "noise" on downshifts, you really need to get one of the intakes!! They SCREAM!!! Not to mention the added power from the CP-e (I can feel a substantial difference)!!

As far as the brake stand... The parking brake does the same for a front wheel drive vehicle... With our cars it's not hard at all to peel out (without using the brake)!

[MikeATL]

I have mixed feeling about this. Does it put more strain on the car and tranny, yes. Enough to shorten the life span of the tranny, who knows?

I dont think its a problem letting off the gas when you switch gears, but it might end up confusing the tranny because even in "stick mode", its still thinking like an automatic.

Like if you are in second gear in stick mode, the car will still downshift (you may not know it) into 1st depending on your speed and conditions.

So if you rev up in first gear and shift and release the gas, the car might shift into second, but think you are slowing down and thus downshift you back to first gear. Then you slam it again, and you get a bit of 1st gear before the car auto shifts back to second.

1st to 2nd to 1st to 2nd in a matter of a few seconds and with high RPMs probably isnt the best thing for a tranny.

Hope that all makes sense, its hard to discribe stuff that happens in a split second.

I would play around with your timing to try and smooth everything out. If you feel the car jerking and "gear hunting", you might want to change your shifting strategy.

[kgzero1]

Downshifting from 2nd to 1st seems pretty pointless. If you are gonna do that, that means you are going to stop. I don't bother shifting from 1st to second in my car. Just go to neutral and hit the brakes. But it might be different for you guys, since you have autosmatics.

[KeithH]

My biggest problem with the "Manu-matic" is the 1st to 2nd shift is supposed to be a pull - not a push. I've lost track of the number of times I've launched and went for second only to have nothing happen.

I guess I am just too used to my real manual on the Supra.

[dude]

i agree, the shifter is logically backwards from a performance perspective, ie. it is easier to pull backwards when you head is being pulled backwards from accel. and forward when braking. but i think toyota didnt want to confuse the non-performance types and those who arent chirping their types at each shift. so forward to go into faster gear, and backwards for slower gear is how the thinking goes. the 2-1 shift is kinda pointless but i like to be ready in that 1st gear so i dont have to wait for the auto 2-1 shift when the light is about to go green or i have pulled into a tight area and want to spin the tires or accelerate quick for fun. for manuals, shifting from 2-1 is best with done with a double clutch (as all shifts are better done this way) since the synchos arent as smooth and sometimes is doesnt go in very easily. a 2-1 shift isnt done often but if you want to play mario in the parking lots, it is kinda fun.

[FLUXEMAG]

Hey Fluxemag, if you want some more "noise" on downshifts, you really need to get one of the intakes!! They SCREAM!!! Not to mention the added power from the CP-e (I can feel a substantial difference)!!

As far as the brake stand... The parking brake does the same for a front wheel drive vehicle... With our cars it's not hard at all to peel out (without using the brake)!

I heard the acceleration part in Phreakd's audio clip. Sounds cool, especially since the trd muffler makes noise from 1500-3000RPM and the intake makes noise from 0-redline. I still haven't heard someone downshifting and engine braking with both the intake and muffler. I liked the old K&Ns in pickups that would make a sucking/whoosh noise. I guess with all that displacement, more air more sound...

[dvdchris45]

i'd be all over that injen pipe if it wasnt for the C.A.R.B. bullshit..