I have a 2001 GS300 with the manual shifters on the steerling wheel Here's the dilema - when I'm at a stop and move the shifter into manula mode, it goes to 5th gear. Also, I can never get it into 1st gear, only goes as low as 2nd. Don't think this is normal but just want to make sure. Thanks

 

it only goes as low as 2nd so that you dont mess the tranny up with the first shift. although it says 2 it starts in first and makes the first shift from 1st -> 2nd for you. after that its all up to you to shift.

not sure why it starts in 5th either when you slap it over

 

I think the automatic start in 5th when you switch it over is normal, the 99 GS400 does that too. it doesnt really bother me that much, its just 3 clicks away from 2nd.

 

 

All the conditions you describe are normal for the "E" shift. Even though the display says 2nd, it still starts in 1st and shifts up. Anytime you stop rolling, the transmission starts from first and goes up to the number displayed.

One other note: if transmission fluid temperature is under 120 degrees F, the "E shift" will NOT let you select a gear lower than 3. This is to protect the transmission until the fluid warms up. Any attempt to shift lower than it is safe results in a "beep" to let you now that the function you selected is not allowed. As soon as the temperature comes up to normal, "2" will be selectable. Just a "hint" that you should NOT hotdog your engine and tranny until it warms up. Keep the rpms low until then.

During normal driving, any attempt to shift lower than the computer allows will be met with that same "beep". For instance, if you are traveling at 100 mph, and you attempt to drop down to 2nd, that will not be allowed, because it will cause engine and transmission overspeed.

 

Yep, good explanation gserep1. Everything described is correct functionality. E-shift will display what you selected. 5th gear is the default when switching to E mode, even though you're at a stop. You can then shift down, 2nd gear is lowest for E shift. For 1st geat you need to used the shift handle to manually position to L (1st gear). You always start out in 1st gear unless your ECT is in SNOW mode, then it's 2nd gear to reduce wheel spin.

 

I'm glad this post came up, since i was just about to try mine out. At least i'll know what the hell is going on. Good job

 

Hum, intersting. Even though at startup the tranny is in 1st gear, you can't select 2nd with E shift...I didn't know that. But it makes sense, there must be a warmup gear. True, there's a warmup period and I like that feature. I feel it adds reliability and it's only a nuisance if's really cold. When you start out in a cold engine/tranny the tranny won't shift above what seems to be 2nd gear ( the warmup gear ) untill fluids warmup and it seems to hold on to 3rd gear for a short period for futher warming. Then you're off and flying.

 

The dispaly should be read as "The gear it would not go BEYOND"

ie: with display at "4" from a stand-still the car will switch gears all the way up to 4. This is different from real manual where if you put the tranmission in gear 4 it IS in 4th gear and you would stall from a standstill start.


So when you switch from D(auto) to Manual [trasmission in any gear] you are still in auto-mode [neat safety trick]

Salim

 

Now I know why I joined this joint! Thanks for all your help since I'm too lazy to pull out the owner's manual.

More stupid questions to follow....

 

Good info on the E shift.... Nice write up from everyone