2005 LS430


Wondering if my car is a five or six speed and does that number include what's called over drive? How do you tell?


Thanks

 

2005 = 6-speed. Look at the gear shift. Or, move gear shift to manual (one click to left from Drive) and you'll see "6" on dashboard display.

 

Actually Tom, I found out that is an S not a 6 when you go into manual mode. I always thought it was an 6 too. Turns out shifting over to S or "Sport mode" will hold on to the gearing a little bit longer and maybe shift a tiny bit more aggressive. It makes sense because if you are going 20 MPH and go into this mode the car is not in 6th gear. It's on 305 of the owners manual.

 

Actually Lav, we're both correct. Moving the gear shift over to the left from "D" switches into "Sport" mode on the transmission (the same as "PWR" switch on dash console), as you mention. And once in manual or "S" mode, clicking the gear shift up one click takes you to "6" gear on the instrument panel - which answers OP's question whether it's a 5- or 6-speed transmission.

Edit: The "S" that seems to appear on the instrument panel I believe is is actually the number "5" since the transmission downshifts one gear when you click over to manual or sport mode.

 

That does make sense. It's odd the way the system is explained in the manual. I never use this mode personally.

 

To answer one of the original posters questions, yes, that includes an "overdrive" gear. Pretty much all automatic transmissions from the early 1980's forward have an overdrive gear. which is the "highest" gear on the transmission.

Bascially, it means the selected gear ratio results in the output shaft of the transmission (running to the rear axle) to spin faster than the input shaft (the one attached to the engine) which cuts down on highway RPMs significantly

 

The 2004 to 2006 LS430's all have 6-speed transmissions. 2001-2003 LS430's are all 5-speed transmissions.

 

Thanks for clarification everyone, I can barley tell when it shifts it's like driving an electric car. NICE!

 

It really is hard to tell. It's always so smooth.