Does "S" mode automatically switch gears?
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: WA
Does "S" mode automatically switch gears?
Hello All,
This is my first post on Club Lexus! I enjoy reading all of your forum posts and decided it was time to make a new account
Anyways, I currently own a 2010 Lexus RX350.
I always knew there was the "S" next to the "D" but I was never sure if it would auto-shift for me.
For example,
If I were to "race" (theoretically speaking), I would shift it into sport mode.
Starting from first gear, would I be able to floor it and ignore manually shifting the gear? I have heard that the engine will pretty much red-bar the gear and upshift it on its own. Or do I have to manually shift the gear while monitoring the RPM?
Thanks! I appreciate all of your input and help!
This is my first post on Club Lexus! I enjoy reading all of your forum posts and decided it was time to make a new account
Anyways, I currently own a 2010 Lexus RX350. I always knew there was the "S" next to the "D" but I was never sure if it would auto-shift for me.
For example,
If I were to "race" (theoretically speaking), I would shift it into sport mode.
Starting from first gear, would I be able to floor it and ignore manually shifting the gear? I have heard that the engine will pretty much red-bar the gear and upshift it on its own. Or do I have to manually shift the gear while monitoring the RPM?
Thanks! I appreciate all of your input and help!
Lead Lap
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 462
Likes: 4
From: NV
I can not answer your question. However I have another manual car and if the Lexus S mode is trullly manual, it will not shift gear for you. Meaning you can grind your first gear if you like too. However on my manual car, there is a rev limiter so if you are revving it high, at some point it will cut off gasoline when you reach the rev limit rpm.
Lead Lap
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,999
Likes: 37
From: FL
Welcome to Club Lexus, 343434xx.
When in doubt, always start first with the Owner's Manual:
http://drivers.lexus.com/t3Portal/do.../sec_02-01.pdf
When in doubt, always start first with the Owner's Manual:
http://drivers.lexus.com/t3Portal/do.../sec_02-01.pdf
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,068
Likes: 11
From: California
Hello All,
This is my first post on Club Lexus! I enjoy reading all of your forum posts and decided it was time to make a new account Anyways, I currently own a 2010 Lexus RX350.
I always knew there was the "S" next to the "D" but I was never sure if it would auto-shift for me.
For example,
If I were to "race" (theoretically speaking), I would shift it into sport mode.
Starting from first gear, would I be able to floor it and ignore manually shifting the gear? I have heard that the engine will pretty much red-bar the gear and upshift it on its own. Or do I have to manually shift the gear while monitoring the RPM?
Thanks! I appreciate all of your input and help!
This is my first post on Club Lexus! I enjoy reading all of your forum posts and decided it was time to make a new account
Anyways, I currently own a 2010 Lexus RX350. I always knew there was the "S" next to the "D" but I was never sure if it would auto-shift for me.
For example,
If I were to "race" (theoretically speaking), I would shift it into sport mode.
Starting from first gear, would I be able to floor it and ignore manually shifting the gear? I have heard that the engine will pretty much red-bar the gear and upshift it on its own. Or do I have to manually shift the gear while monitoring the RPM?
Thanks! I appreciate all of your input and help!
But first, don't use the RX or any CUV/ SUV to race legal or otherwise
The weight alone puts you in a disadvantage.
Now, going back to your question.
The S mode limits the gear of the RX.
From a stop light, putting it on S4, it doesn't mean you're starting from 4th gear
You are still starting from the lowest available, which is probably 2nd gear
And as you increase speed, the RX even on S mode will upshift for you UP TO 4th gear only.
Now, using your scenario, starting from 1 st gear and reving up,
I believe you will hit the redline and the RX won't upshift.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: WA
I use S mode a lot, so my response to you is based on experience.
But first, don't use the RX or any CUV/ SUV to race legal or otherwise
The weight alone puts you in a disadvantage.
Now, going back to your question.
The S mode limits the gear of the RX.
From a stop light, putting it on S4, it doesn't mean you're starting from 4th gear
You are still starting from the lowest available, which is probably 2nd gear
And as you increase speed, the RX even on S mode will upshift for you UP TO 4th gear only.
Now, using your scenario, starting from 1 st gear and reving up,
I believe you will hit the redline and the RX won't upshift.
But first, don't use the RX or any CUV/ SUV to race legal or otherwise
The weight alone puts you in a disadvantage.
Now, going back to your question.
The S mode limits the gear of the RX.
From a stop light, putting it on S4, it doesn't mean you're starting from 4th gear
You are still starting from the lowest available, which is probably 2nd gear
And as you increase speed, the RX even on S mode will upshift for you UP TO 4th gear only.
Now, using your scenario, starting from 1 st gear and reving up,
I believe you will hit the redline and the RX won't upshift.
Anyways, if I were to race another SUV legally, what would be the most optimal method for winning a quarter mile race?
1. Sticking it in "D" mode
2. Sticking it in "S" mode and starting from 1st gear and manually upshifting
3. Sticking it in "S" mode and starting from 4th gear
4. ?
Any optimal methods?
Thanks again!
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 787
Likes: 52
The computer will shift gears at the best point. They measure lots of different factors better and faster than we can to keep the rpm in the best torque range for the task at hand. Manual shifting does't make the shifts any faster or more firm so I just don't see any benefit in manual shifting.
In my IS (with paddle shifters!), I have found that I'm ready to upshift before the computer. I actually find it a bit frustrating to tell it to shift, and then wait for the car to agree with me. I think the only purpose for manually shifting is to force dowshifts to assist in braking. Even that's not too helpful. In the end, I don't think an RX is a race car, and I think Lexus would agree. They tune the transmission for comfort and economy before high performance.
In my IS (with paddle shifters!), I have found that I'm ready to upshift before the computer. I actually find it a bit frustrating to tell it to shift, and then wait for the car to agree with me. I think the only purpose for manually shifting is to force dowshifts to assist in braking. Even that's not too helpful. In the end, I don't think an RX is a race car, and I think Lexus would agree. They tune the transmission for comfort and economy before high performance.
Last edited by User 41924; Jun 16, 2014 at 07:19 AM.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: WA
The computer will shift gears at the best point. They measure lots of different factors better and faster than we can to keep the rpm in the best torque range for the task at hand. Manual shifting does't make the shifts any faster or more firm so I just don't see any benefit in manual shifting.
In my IS (with paddle shifters!), I have found that I'm ready to upshift before the computer. I actually find it a bit frustrating to tell it to shift, and then wait for the car to agree with me. I think the only purpose for manually shifting is to force dowshifts to assist in braking. Even that's not too helpful. In the end, I don't think an RX is a race car, and I think Lexus would agree. They tune the transmission for comfort and economy before high performance.
In my IS (with paddle shifters!), I have found that I'm ready to upshift before the computer. I actually find it a bit frustrating to tell it to shift, and then wait for the car to agree with me. I think the only purpose for manually shifting is to force dowshifts to assist in braking. Even that's not too helpful. In the end, I don't think an RX is a race car, and I think Lexus would agree. They tune the transmission for comfort and economy before high performance.
Thank you!
Trending Topics
2nd gear
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Pennsylvania
I use S mode a lot, so my response to you is based on experience.
But first, don't use the RX or any CUV/ SUV to race legal or otherwise
The weight alone puts you in a disadvantage.
Now, going back to your question.
The S mode limits the gear of the RX.
From a stop light, putting it on S4, it doesn't mean you're starting from 4th gear
You are still starting from the lowest available, which is probably 2nd gear
And as you increase speed, the RX even on S mode will upshift for you UP TO 4th gear only.
Now, using your scenario, starting from 1 st gear and reving up,
I believe you will hit the redline and the RX won't upshift.
But first, don't use the RX or any CUV/ SUV to race legal or otherwise
The weight alone puts you in a disadvantage.
Now, going back to your question.
The S mode limits the gear of the RX.
From a stop light, putting it on S4, it doesn't mean you're starting from 4th gear
You are still starting from the lowest available, which is probably 2nd gear
And as you increase speed, the RX even on S mode will upshift for you UP TO 4th gear only.
Now, using your scenario, starting from 1 st gear and reving up,
I believe you will hit the redline and the RX won't upshift.
Only "disadvantage" is the governor kicking in @ 115. I went up against some little Mazda once which seemed to be a stick. As I was pulling away from him @ around 105-110 he took the win because..... YEP... 😀👎🏽. So I learned that I have to use 4th & 6th gear to give me the upper hand to extend a good lead and get to 115 SWIFTLY and act like I've proven my point... 😀. Which I actually have... 💪🏽
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
8 Tips for Improving Your Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid's Efficiency!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Best Lexus Models No One Remembers
Joe Kucinski
TRD Off-Road Premium: Best 2026 4Runner, Except This One Thing
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Lexus/Toyotas With The LEAST 5-Year Depreciation
Joe Kucinski
Lexus LC500 Convertible Auction: A Preview of Rising Values?
Brett Foote
GX 550 vs TX 550: Best 3-Row Luxury Lexus Family Hauler
Michael S. Palmer
9 Best Lexus Models You Can Buy for Half Price (And 1 You Shouldn't!)
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus NX Buyer's Guide: Models, Features, Prices & More!
Brett Foote
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post