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“Sport” gears

Discussion in '2.5 Gen Tundras (2014-2021)' started by Anothersmith, Jul 23, 2019.

  1. Jul 23, 2019 at 5:24 AM
    #1
    Anothersmith

    Anothersmith [OP] New Member

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    Hi everyone who tows a trailer with their 2019 4 x 4 Crewmax! We just bought ours a few weeks ago and want some info on using the “sport” mode on the gear shift. Our salesman didn’t do a very good job explaining when to use it or why. We are going to tow our 19 ft. Airstream travel trailer out west next summer and are trying to familiarize ourselves with this feature. Questions to answer include: do you use it? If yes, why? If it’s not needed, why? Under what conditions do you use it? And, if you find it useful, explain about the 5 gears.

    AND TO YOU STAFF MEMBERS who may be listening, there is only a short paragraph in the owner’s manual about this feature.

    Thanks to all. I’m off to work, so will check back in about 8 hours.
     
  2. Jul 23, 2019 at 5:39 AM
    #2
    Rex Kramer

    Rex Kramer Vinyl Spinner

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    S = Sequential
     
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  3. Jul 23, 2019 at 5:48 AM
    #3
    jeremyd

    jeremyd 2014 Crewmax SR5

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    My truck lives in S4 while towing. The reason why is because the slightest head wind or uphill grade will cause it to downshift if it’s in 6th or 5th. My solution is to drive 55-60 mph at 2800 rpm”s. I’m towing pretty light compared to most, 3000 pounds fully loaded..
     
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  4. Jul 23, 2019 at 5:52 AM
    #4
    Jim LE 1301

    Jim LE 1301 Camaro Lover, SSEM # 11,TTC#179

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    :threadjacked:
    Welcome from NY.
     
  5. Jul 23, 2019 at 6:01 AM
    #5
    Rex Kramer

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  6. Jul 23, 2019 at 6:45 AM
    #6
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    This^^
     
  7. Jul 23, 2019 at 8:16 AM
    #7
    Bergmen

    Bergmen New Member

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    I am in "S" mode and TOW/HAUL 99% of the time. I like manually controlling what gear I am in and I use it all the time for engine braking (the Tundra is excellent at this). Perfect for stop & go traffic, I shift up and down to control speed rather than gas/brake over and over again. This also works fantastically for towing under all conditions.

    Experiment with it and I think you will see the advantages right away.

    Dan
     
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  8. Jul 23, 2019 at 9:32 AM
    #8
    greengs

    greengs New Member

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    The issue is that S mode doesn't work like a gear selector on most automatics. So sometimes you may think you're shifting up, but the truck isn't actually shifting up. For example if you're part throttle and you're in gear "4" and you nudge it to gear 5, you can be in any gear other than 6 really, depending on rpm, load, speed etc. What's indicated in the dash isn't necessarily the gear you're actually in. It does work well for downshifting gears when you're moving quickly and want to slow down though.
     
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  9. Jul 23, 2019 at 9:52 AM
    #9
    Bergmen

    Bergmen New Member

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    That is very true. The transmission will remain in a lower gear if the conditions warrant. It would be excellent to be able to completely control which gear you are in as if it was a manual transmission but I'm okay with how it works. I see the "Select Shift" as controlling the top gear it can select and not upshift any further.

    Also, I think it would be good (while in "S" mode) to have a readout as to which gear it is actually in. If I am in "select 5" and pulling a hill, I would like know which gear it sees as appropriate for the climb if it is lower than "5".

    But all things considered, the 6-speed transmission (with the "smart" torque converter) in my Tundra is the absolute best transmission in any vehicle I've ever owned (and at 69 yo, I've owned a lot).

    Dan
     
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  10. Jul 28, 2019 at 7:51 AM
    #10
    88nitro305

    88nitro305 New Member

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    Is engine braking bad on the vehicle though? I just recently started messing around with it when getting off the interstate I’ll use the engine braking because I like the response of the truck rather then manually braking..
     
  11. Jul 28, 2019 at 7:56 AM
    #11
    Bergmen

    Bergmen New Member

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    In my opinion, the Tundra is one of the best I've owned at engine braking. It seems inhanced (not sure if it is or not) in TOW/HAUL mode. But I look ahead when driving and begin deceleration early. I did this with my 2006 Tundra and the brakes last a heck of a long time. I replaced the front pads at 150k, the rear brakes at 190k (and they were only 2/3 worn).

    Dan
     
    Last edited: Jul 28, 2019
  12. Jul 28, 2019 at 7:59 AM
    #12
    88nitro305

    88nitro305 New Member

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    Does it have a negative effect on gas?
     
  13. Jul 28, 2019 at 8:20 AM
    #13
    Bergmen

    Bergmen New Member

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    For maximum engine braking all fuel is shut off to the injectors as well as intake passages closed for maximum manifold vacuum. That is how efficient and effective engine braking works. That and the "smart" torque converter that locks up like a clutch on a manual shift.

    My wife's 2013 Yukon XL was horrible at this. No torque converter lockup and terrible engine braking. With an inefficient torque converter, gas mileage sucks (as well as giddy-yup). She dumped it for her fabulous 2017 Sequoia.

    Dan
     
  14. Jul 28, 2019 at 8:28 AM
    #14
    88nitro305

    88nitro305 New Member

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    Awesome! Thanks for the input I’ll definitely be using this more and get familiar with it, plus it’s fun to use
     
  15. Nov 21, 2019 at 6:05 PM
    #15
    DM 2018 Tundra

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    Question and sorry if it’s dumb. So what I am read if I am in S and want to shift to the next gear I let off the gas shift then press the gas? Next is when I have use TH mode and going down a hill it brakes it’s self but does it break in TH in S? Or do I just shift down a gear to meet the goal to slow down. I did notice in just in S mode and I was in 5 th gear the truck down shifted for me and I didn’t Manuel shift down. My wife got us a camper and will be going I-26 in SC on to 40 headed to Tennessee. Soon for a night Christmas parade. Camper about 5000 loaded that’s why I am asking. Dealership had not clue. Lol. Do have 35 inch tires with a lift. Sorry so many questions. Love my Tundra and just want to make sure I don’t below anything up
     
  16. Nov 21, 2019 at 6:44 PM
    #16
    1engineer

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    I have 25K on my new truck I got in Feb this year. 5K of those miles I have been towing something. I just had 9K trailer back there for 200 miles. I have yet to do anything but put it in D and drive, except towing on snow covered roads. Then I like controlling it a bit closer.
     
  17. Nov 21, 2019 at 6:52 PM
    #17
    DM 2018 Tundra

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    Thanks. I just know I have heavy tires and a lift didn’t know what I really needed to tow in besides TH. I will say the TH has a ton of power almost like my F350 I had.
     
  18. Nov 21, 2019 at 7:07 PM
    #18
    15whtrd

    15whtrd Mr. Blonde

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    S mode is the same as de except you kind of use it like a limiting factor on how far the transmission will up shift. If you leave it in 4, it will act like a four-speed automatic if you leave it in 6 it will act just like D. But it will downshift for you whenever you ask it to. If I’m towing I will use it or if I’m in traffic sometimes I will limit how far I want the transmission to upshift. But our trucks are pretty smart and they don’t shift unnecessarily if you’re going slow. Make sense?
     
  19. Nov 21, 2019 at 7:09 PM
    #19
    Melikeymy beer

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    The manual says to avoid OD gears (5 & 6) but I will pull my TT in S5 on flat roads. I have always used tow/haul mode so far. I believe Toyota says no OD because it's hard on the trans to lug along at the lower RPM while towing.
     
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  20. Nov 22, 2019 at 4:54 AM
    #20
    DM 2018 Tundra

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    Just di
    yes It does. Thanks!!!
     
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  21. Nov 22, 2019 at 8:20 AM
    #21
    Bergmen

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    No need to let off the gas, just move the shift lever to up or down shift. I use "S" mode all the time now to control what gear I am in for the particular circumstance. When cruising at a steady speed in "D", the transmission will try to upshift to lower rpm and increase mpg. This can be annoying at times at lower speeds since the engine is only at 1,500 rpm or so and it is a bit noisy in the cab. I'll nick it down a notch to bring the revs up a bit and quiet it down. I also use "S" mode for downshifting while in traffic. My brakes will last a long, long time this way. I am more in control with "S" mode and really like the feature. It is easy to rest your right arm on the center console and have your hand on the shift knob all the while.

    Dan
     
  22. Nov 22, 2019 at 8:51 AM
    #22
    SaltH20

    SaltH20 New Member

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    ^This. I am new to the Tundra and have decided that driving around in "D" is just not good for the truck. Driving around in town, the up-shifting and downshifting, engine lug, etc. is not good for the drive train and gas mileage (in my opinion). As Bergmen stated, shifting from S5 to S4 (or even down to S3 for slow traffic ~30-35 mph) keeps the engine slightly revved up and at a consistent rpm. I have not noticed any decrease in mpg by doing this. My 2011 F150 had the same "select shift" and I rarely if ever used 6th gear in town.
     
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  23. Nov 22, 2019 at 11:34 AM
    #23
    DM 2018 Tundra

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    Thanks Guys
     
  24. Nov 22, 2019 at 1:53 PM
    #24
    Scuba

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    Aside from that, while in S the torque converter will lock up, thus decreasing transmission temps.
     
  25. Nov 22, 2019 at 2:23 PM
    #25
    Melikeymy beer

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    Thanks for that info. I wondered if using S also moderated trans temps.
     
  26. Nov 22, 2019 at 2:27 PM
    #26
    DM 2018 Tundra

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    Lock up? Meaning will not change gear?
     
  27. Nov 22, 2019 at 2:36 PM
    #27
    Scuba

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    "It (torque converter) allows the engine to turn at a lower RPM when the vehicle is traveling at higher speeds. However, when the engine turns more slowly it causes the torque converter to slip, creating heat. ... The solution is to lock the converter. Lock-up eliminates the slippage, which reduces heat and improves fuel economy."

    https://help.summitracing.com/app/a...oes-it-mean-when-a-torque-converter-locks-up?
     
  28. Nov 22, 2019 at 2:39 PM
    #28
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    Mmm ok make since. Thanks. So if it ever does lock up what is the fix? Pull over and let it cool down?
     
  29. Nov 22, 2019 at 3:28 PM
    #29
    Scuba

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    :facepalm:
    No. Normal driving on the highway in D your torque converter will mostly be unlocked to help run in lower RPM’s and shift quicker when necessary.

    When you switch to S mode this will allow the torque converter to stay locked. Using this lowers transmission temperature (especially while towing) and lower transmission temperatures are the key to transmission longevity.

    TL;DR?
    Put it in S mode and use tow haul while towing. It is safer using 6th while towing when it is in S mode. However, many recommend not going higher than 5th gear in order to keep RPM’s higher in the power band.
     
  30. Nov 22, 2019 at 3:52 PM
    #30
    DM 2018 Tundra

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    6inch RC with upgrade struts. 295/65/20 Nitto Ridge grappers 20x9 fuel vapor with 0 off set
    Ok thanks got it.
     

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