When I shift to manual, it always starts in 4th gear. Is this normal.

Even at a stop, when I switch to manual shifting it begins in 4th gear. Is everyone else's like this?

 

Yep........

 

I dont think so, I see a Lemon Law in your future

 

Even my mom’s highlander and dad’s tundra are like this. It’s not actually manual. Instead, from what I understand, it lets you control the maximum gear the transmission will shift into.

For example, when 4 is selected, it will only shift through gears 1,2,3, and 4. Km guessing it starts in 4 since it’s a pretty middle-ground gear that isn’t overdrive.

 

Well, I can shift all the way up to 6

 

It’s probably because people usually shift into the “manual” mode while towing, so the computer starts you at 4 rather the 5/6 which isn’t used as often when towing.

 

Mine starts in 1st unless I’m not paying attention, then goes in reverse. It’s fun at stoplights, for the car behind me.

 

I thought it was called sport mode? I actually shift to s5 daily with ect on. If I know it’s a short trip under 55ish I keep it at s4. And the only time I’d consider s6 is if I’m cruising hw speed but want to keep it gas friendly. Not often

I like the drive like this

 

The only way to “switch” to manual is if you already have a manual transmission. I assume you mean engage the S mode on the automatic transmission... which is nothing more than a gear limiter, based on which gear selection you have made (aka, S4). The AT will start in 1st from a dead stop, and shift up to 4th in this case, wherein the transmission will stay until a lower gear is required.

 

I’m not sure what S6 will do for you as the S mode is an upper gear limiter, not a gear lock. S5 would stop the AT from shifting back and forth between 5th and 6th gears by limiting the transmission to no higher than 5th...

 

Exactly the point right? Based on driving situations that I mentioned above personally

Ex. if I’m on the highway at 75-80ish being in s6 will allow me to be in 6th gear, right. So gas mileage should be better in s6 than s5 at the same 75-80ish.

 

What I'm saying is that when I'm at a complete stop and go to s mode it begins in 4. Why not 1?

 

Because 4 is not the actually gear it’s in. It just sets the max gear allowed...

 

Actually it is, if I can shift down. And I can shift up to 6 if I choose. Sounds like nobody has an answer

 

BUT, the transmission won’t stay in 6 (the S mode is NOT a gear lock)... AT will still down shift when the ECU/TCU so requires, therefore when climbing (even a small hill like an overpass), this transmission will still downshift just like if it were in D... so, S6 serves no real purpose as a limit on the already selected highest gear available.

 

It does not show what gear you are in, it just shows the max gear it is set for, and 4 is the default.

 

The answers are there, you might just need to sleep on this one a bit. Moving to S5 or S6 just changes the upper limit. Granted, if you're in S4, and traveling at 40mph and shift to S5, it's going to shift to that. Do the same thing at 15 mph and it will shift to the next appropriate gear when the time is right - up to the limit you set.

 

When in s mode my truck will stay in the gear displayed on the dash. When I switch to s at a stop and take off I can manually shift to a lower gear and it will stay on that gear regardless of rpm.

 

It is starting in 1. It will only upshift to 4 if you're in S4.

 

The display does not show what gear you are in, it just shows what max gear is set. The dash will show S4 but your truck will be in 1st at a stop.