Does anyone know why the sport shift defaults to 4th gear as opposed to the current gear? going to 4th makes it sorta pointless in a lot of ways.

 

maybe because 5 is a overdrive gear?

 

i think the original thinking had to do with allowing you to drop the gear at the same time. i.e. if you are in 6th on the highway, want to pass somebody, and drop a gear.

it makes sense that it drops from 6-4th.

remember, it doesn't put you in 4th gear... it sets the gear cap at 4th. so if you are already in a lower gear, it doesn't change anything.

 

you are right, it doesnt upshift you to 4 if you are in a lower gear, but the main reason I can see anyone wanting the sport shift is to get more power. by putting the shift cap at 4, that sometimes requires 2-3 downshifts before the car actually shifts down. in that time, u can just step on the gas...so thats why i think its pointless.

 

The short answer is because the Lexus sportshift system isn't very good. My old Acura TL would default to whatever gear the car was in when you moved the shifter over.