paddle shifter
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Driver School Candidate
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 47
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From: Tx
paddle shifter
hey guys i was driving yesterday and i was just messing around and so in automatic i was pressin the left paddle shifter deal and then i noticed i was changing the gear then i felt a small jerk... do you think i messed up anything in the transmission?? i know i shouldn't be messing with those shifter deals if i don't know what i'm doing but i didn't think it would do anything in auto....never again will i do that lol
Well the vehicle won't let you go into a low gear if it knows it's going to cross redline but even then don't mess around w/ it unless you do know what you're doing because you can still burn something up in the transmission if you do stuff like that...
Bear in mind, no matter what they're called, those aren't actually shifters.
The only thing sport mode does is set a top gear limiter.
Normally your car is a 6 speed automatic, and it will, based on what the shift maps in the TCU say, shift gears between all 6 available gears based on speed/rpm/etc
When you move the lever into S mode you set a top gear limit of 4 (that's why 4 now displays on the dash) but the car is -still- shifting all on its own, automatically, between those 4 gears, based on what the TCU tells it.
If you move the paddle or stick to change that 4 to a 3 then it's STILL shifting all on its own, automatically, between now the 3 gears available to it (1, 2, and 3).
At no point do you ever directly shift the vehicle.
And the computer is smart enough that it won't let you switch the top gear limit down to, say, 2, when you're doing 120 miles per hour.
The only thing sport mode does is set a top gear limiter.
Normally your car is a 6 speed automatic, and it will, based on what the shift maps in the TCU say, shift gears between all 6 available gears based on speed/rpm/etc
When you move the lever into S mode you set a top gear limit of 4 (that's why 4 now displays on the dash) but the car is -still- shifting all on its own, automatically, between those 4 gears, based on what the TCU tells it.
If you move the paddle or stick to change that 4 to a 3 then it's STILL shifting all on its own, automatically, between now the 3 gears available to it (1, 2, and 3).
At no point do you ever directly shift the vehicle.
And the computer is smart enough that it won't let you switch the top gear limit down to, say, 2, when you're doing 120 miles per hour.
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I'm constantly using my paddle shifting on highways and locals. I recently got my oil change and the dealership did the usual checked up. They said my breaks are still brand new, and they ask me how do I usually drive my car. I told them I always use my paddle shift to downshift to avoid using my breaks too rough.. They said it that was good. lol.. But sometimes i forget i'm on S-mode, and the computer doesnt shift on its own. SO I gotta be more careful. lol
I'm constantly using my paddle shifting on highways and locals. I recently got my oil change and the dealership did the usual checked up. They said my breaks are still brand new, and they ask me how do I usually drive my car. I told them I always use my paddle shift to downshift to avoid using my breaks too rough.. They said it that was good. lol.. But sometimes i forget i'm on S-mode, and the computer doesnt shift on its own. SO I gotta be more careful. lol
Whereas I never use engine braking unless it's really needed (ie coming down off a mountain or something).
Brakes are a LOT cheaper to replace than transmissions.
Pit Crew
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 149
Likes: 2
From: WA
. I would suggest using brakes to slow down. You don't want to have to replace your transmission or other parts of your drivetrain. heaven knows it will probably break RIGHT AFTER your warranty runs out and you'll have to spend like 10,000 dollars at a Lexus Service Dept. That would make for a very sad day lol