S Mode on shifter

So, let me get this straight. "S" stands for sequential but it's not the same as a sequential, double clutch gearbox you get in high end sport and supercars with paddle shifters? Is that right?

 

That would be a dual-clutch transmission. The manufacturers give them their own little pet names though. Most automatic boxes are sequential in that they up or down shift going through each gear in turn like a motorcycle. They don't typically have the ability to "skip" a gear the way you might in a standard transmission. There are auto boxes that can skip ratios, but until Ford put that 10-speed in the F-150, I don't know of there being one in a consumer truck before, I could very well be mistaken though.

 

I’ve been driving my Tundra in “S” since it hit 30,000 mi. I rarely drive it in “D”. If you’re willing to put in the effort (and know how to drive stick), you can almost drive it like a manual transmission. It’s not that, though. You have to learn how to anticipate the “lag” in shifting electronically, but if you have the patience to adapt to its nuances, it can have some benefits. A big one is saving on brake pads by down shifting. I think the biggest benefit to driving this way is that you have full control of the engine’s power in certain circumstances.
I read a thread on here about people calling Tow/ Haul Mode “Beast Mode”. I couldn’t help but laugh at that. Isn’t Beast Mode being able to go red line to red line through all the gears? Try it out some time, it might just change how you drive the truck.
Just as a warning, learn to do it right before you do it on the road. That first time you hit the rev limiter in 1st gets hairy!

 

I'm not aware of one either. Thanks for the clarification.

 

I use s mode all the time. But then again I live in Colorado and I engine break a lot. I just select the gear and watch everyone else warp their rotors while I just cruise behind them.

 

there is so much fail in this thread.

the guy saying DTC, i have a bridge to sell you. just put the thing in D and drive it. and no its not "like a manual" lol

 

I wasn’t going to actually say it. But since ya did lol.

 

So, I used "S" mode all day today. I'm sold. At least with my rig, tires, gear ratio, and traction control off the shift points are smoother and at higher RPM. Quicker as well. I tried tow/haul for a while but might reserve that for special occasions. Thanks for leading me to this. Wish I would've been using it all along.

 

I typically use it either to help slowdown before applying the break and to downshift to get ready to around someone on the highway. I had an older Acura TL with speed shift (not sure of the real name) and did the same thing.

 

This^^^. I rarely use D. I drove my 07 in S mode for 5 yrs. It's all about learning your tranny and RPM's

 

I have no idea how to tag people in replies, can someone tell me how?
Black Wolf- thanks for saying that, I was beginning to think this forum is mostly focused just on mods and not repairs. I was ready to leave and go somewhere else because, at my truck’s age, I need input on maintenance and repair- not add-ons. My income forces me to be practical (and to be a closet hot-rodder).
Kerch71- stick with it. You’ll have a lot more fun driving this way especially when it becomes 2nd nature. The only bad side to it is when you’re having a good day, you’ve got the windows down and the radio loud. You look down and realize you’ve been doing 2,800 RPMs at 70MPH for a long minute.

 

@*D* to tag another user, simply put an @ before their username. Normally a small window will pop up as well as you type, not unlike a phones keyboard word suggestion.

 

Dimitri, if you want to tag a member...do this.. @*D*

@Black Wolf ....

 

Yes, we do talk about mods a lot, especially the "MOD..erators " ...Our mods are actually great folks. I personally know most of them. We do cover a lot of repair issues. Our trucks are very reliable but things happen. Stick around. You will learn a lot here. I learn something here every day and I've been here for over 5 years!

 

@Black Wolf HA! I just noticed that you and I joined the same day, you right before me, and you post a hell of a lot more....

 

Check out our "cheap " mod section. Not all members here want to make major changes to their Tundra. Most Tundra owners don't irregardless what you see here. There is a wealth of knowledge here.

 

Yep...addiction......

 

@Black Wolf Thanks dude. Got it.

 

@Wynnded Thanks to you too.

 

I don't drive in D anymore. when my rear passenger side brake pads disintegrated due to severe warping on the rotor I started driving in S to downshift so I could get to work while I was waiting for time to put my new pads on. I continued to drive in S for another couple of weeks until my new rotors and calipers showed up. in those two weeks I noticed an improvement in gas mileage and was able to preserve my rear brakes because I wasn't using them as much. Now I can't get into the truck without immediately shifting to S and bumping it down to second(makes take off from first a bit smoother).

 

I hear you. Good thing is my Bullydog tuner is set to show RPM and I'm always looking at it, can't stand when RPMs are too high at higher speeds because I hear it in my exhaust. Spent last 2 days in "S" and I'm not going back. As far as loud music, well, I'M ALWAYS CRANKIN IT!!

 

S mode + Tow Haul=

 

I have tried experimenting with this and have found no difference in throttle response or shift response when driving in S with Tow/Haul on. maybe its just 3rd gens because I've heard the throttle response is a lot less touchy than the 2nd gens

 

My 07 responded quite well, my 14 does too.

 

when i first got in my 2011 at the dealership and went for a test drive my parents were freaking out because of how much I was chirping the tires and criticizing me to no end. by the end of the 15 minute drive I had it down and was able to keep it under control. then on the two hour journey home I let my dad drive because he let me drive his 2019 ram and I knew he was going to chirp the tires because the rams throttle is a little plush. to my surprise he didn't chirp the tires turning right out into the street.... He straight up drifted the back end into the other lane and said he was sorry for criticizing me

 

My 14 definitely responds in tow/haul. Makes my drifting even more spectacular.