yea dont like the implementation they did on my IS350, my bros TSX implementation of the manumatic was much better. I want to be more in control of the gear im in, not have it be a gear limiter.

 

Me too...that's why I personally would not use S-mode for anything other than to hold the tranny in a particular gear.

 

Agreed--the sport shifter in my '02 TL-S performed much better than the ES 350 S mode, especially when it comes to how much quicker (relatively speaking) the gears shift on the Acura sport shifter.

 

I am a weirdo who reads the manual and I actually correct this alot about the S or M depending on the toyota(lexus) vehicle so this was actually to be used for engine braking and it works phenomenally! when you turn it on it will always either be in S4 or S5. Now it is technically a manual mode but not really because its more about higher torque in each gear and because of that theres the added benefit of engine braking. The engine braking is developed over 6 positions which are the 6 gears. The 1 and 2 gear is going to be your low engine braking at 25-33% so you will still need to help the car stop some with the brake pedal. The 3-4 is 66% engine braking this is when you really feel it. It's actually amazing for your brakes I use this religiously and went to get serviced and they were suprised I said the brakes were 7 years old and still had 2mm of wear left on the rear and alil under 4mm innthe front. So it really does help your brakes especially bc the es350 is on the heavier side of the sedan segment but still lighter then most. The 5-6 gears your going to hae extreme engine braking to the point where you could be going 80mph let go of the pedal pump the brake 3 times and be at 35-40mph to hit and exit ramp and not burn the brake holding it down just to slow down or pump the brakes alot just to slow down so it really helps the brakes on your car not to mention it cuts down alot of inertia from the weight of the vehicle. This should be used more on highways winding roads and anytime you know you have a hill or a descent from a hill. It will allow you to get up a hill better and not feel all the inertia you feel when going fast down a hill. It's also not to mention for safety especially on a highway god forbid people start slowing down and slamming on there brakes bc theres a problem up ahead or just a traffic jam you can slow the car down very quickly safely by pumping the brakes and prevent the engine from creating more torque to the wheels. Now in eco mode S mode is going to work and it won't mention anything about it but eco mode won't be working even if its on. Also cruise control dynamic radar cruise control wont let you use S mode. The normal driving mode is called AI shift bc its designed to pick the right gear for the style of driving the individual is operating at. Now my corolla has sport mode button and a manual mode on the shifter. It's different though bc if im in manual mode and the sport mode button isn't pressed then it really is a manual car if you don't shift you jerk like you would stalling in a manual but my car will shift it for me then I can control the next shift or wait and jerk again lose all power and it will shift which obviously I wouldn't do it on purpose but it is still paying attention just incase you forgot. If I put it in manual mode with the sport mode button on which is engine braking and higher torque then it actually turns into a 10 gear engine braking system 1-3 is low 4-6 is mid and 7-10 is high engine braking so it being a cvt it creates 10 gear ratios that are 10% of engine braking force. So each number is in multiples of 10% so gear six would be 60%. Idk if this was done to really allow you to have more ability to find the perfect feel for all driving style or what but that's what I'd assume. Definitely use the S mode you will like it and it will also help you save money and your car will operate alot easier and last alot longer.