but why not just go into the same gear you were in while in automatic?

 

I didnt want to downshift 2 gears. I sometimes get 2 gears in either the LX or GS and it snaps my head back a little. Cruising with the family, just want to get down 1 gear and pass....the "autostick" also makes you feel "racey" and lets you hold gears. I guess that's the best part of it, being able to know what gear youre in on onramps while passing...???

 

I think Lexus though most would use for that extra bit of power at highway speeds and 4th is what they figured would be right.

I am with you and would think that when you push it into manual, it would start in the gear you were in while in auto.

I find myself using mine little except for downshifting going down a hill to slow down. I am in Florida and we do not have many hills! I find myself using the throttle to downshift and after a while it seems to learn what I am thinking as the downshifts seem intuitive. I like the way it all works!

 

The ES350 has this transmission "behavior" as well, right into 4th when you use the semi-auto

 

I was driving the 570 a bit ago and felt it downshift as I was slowing down. I immediately thought of this string (Carl said, AI....artificial intelligence) so I blipped the shifter over and it went right to 3rd. I did this twice today and kept fooling with it and couldnt get to any other gears or get to repeat.
Ive been driving it heavy and fast and my MPG is only 10.1, still mostly around town.

 

Yep 10.1 mpg is driving with an attitude!

 

The Lexus does this, as well as Infiniti. When you slap it over to S, it drops gears to put you into the heart of the engine powerband. I agree that it should just put you into the gear you're currently in.

I also don't like that the Lexus system is basically "max gear allowed" and it will still downshift if you put the accelerator down. It's not a full manual control like in BMW, and even Acura.

 

Well, I tried "S Mode" on Friday and I was impressed (however, I have never driven this sort of quasi-manual shifter before). I was hammering it pretty good, shifing up at about 5000 rpm and I thought the shifts were quick and very positive, no lag or hesitation. It seemed strong and smooth to me. Of course, my MPG went to crappola but I had lots of fun. I have not driven that hard in D. I don't mind it going into 4, but I can see the logic behind going into the gear you are in. On another subject, I did some turnpike cruising today, steady as a rock and I looked down and we were doing 87, wife was amazed. I am loving this Lexus.

 

.....or with the autostick in town....
I spend most of my weekend life within about a 10 mile radius.

 

This thread was showing that it is always (now usually) drops to 4th no matter what speed. It seems that hen the AI of the transmission kicks in, the autostick can engage to a lower gear if available.
Downshifting one gear would be great.
If I am idling down our residential street with my foot off the gas pedal, the 570 will still usually choose 4th.

 

Have not paid to much attentions to it as the 570 shifts pretty well on it own. Just enough pressure on the peddle and I can get it to downshift with ease. I do know at the lightest of pressure my 570 goes from 5th to 6th gear at 47mph like clockwork