Paddle Shift
Paddle Shift
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Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 86
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From: Fl
I am not sure if this will answer your question.
The IS300s, equipped with automatic transmissions, have buttons on the steering wheel that will direct the true automatic transmission to upshift or downshift (sometimes). The ECU is designed to protect the transmission so it will frequently override these buttons and either prevent manually directed shifts or effect shifts on its own. In my opinion this is just a less than useful Lexus gimmick to make M3 wannabees think they have something akin to the BMW SMG system.
The BMW SMG system, and I believe the ones you referenced above, are true manual gearboxes. They do not have torque converters or planatary gear sets. It is a standard manual box that is shifted with fast acting high pressure hydraulic cyclinders. The clutch is also shifted via hydraulic cylinders. All the hydraulic actuators are external to the transmission. A computer, of course, directs the entire system. There are a number of modes of operation that can be choosen from full automatic to full manual. There are paddles on the steering wheel for manually directing up shifts or downshifts. I understand there is something called "launch mode" that allows popping the clutch at very high RPM. I have heard that BMW only allows 30 launches over the life of the car without voiding the warranty.
I think it is very unlikely that Toyota will install such a system in the IS300. I am guessing that you heard someone confusing the buttons on the IS300 steering wheel with the paddles used with the SMG system. BTW, SMG stands for Sequential Manual Gearbox.
The IS300s, equipped with automatic transmissions, have buttons on the steering wheel that will direct the true automatic transmission to upshift or downshift (sometimes). The ECU is designed to protect the transmission so it will frequently override these buttons and either prevent manually directed shifts or effect shifts on its own. In my opinion this is just a less than useful Lexus gimmick to make M3 wannabees think they have something akin to the BMW SMG system.
The BMW SMG system, and I believe the ones you referenced above, are true manual gearboxes. They do not have torque converters or planatary gear sets. It is a standard manual box that is shifted with fast acting high pressure hydraulic cyclinders. The clutch is also shifted via hydraulic cylinders. All the hydraulic actuators are external to the transmission. A computer, of course, directs the entire system. There are a number of modes of operation that can be choosen from full automatic to full manual. There are paddles on the steering wheel for manually directing up shifts or downshifts. I understand there is something called "launch mode" that allows popping the clutch at very high RPM. I have heard that BMW only allows 30 launches over the life of the car without voiding the warranty.
I think it is very unlikely that Toyota will install such a system in the IS300. I am guessing that you heard someone confusing the buttons on the IS300 steering wheel with the paddles used with the SMG system. BTW, SMG stands for Sequential Manual Gearbox.
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