On '10 TL Base what's S position for? I read the manual and I don't get why is it good for the transmission to just keep from 1 to 4 gear not using 5....


could someone please explain it to me..


sorry if its a dumb question, but i'm a newbie.

 

It has a more aggressive shift points and you can use the paddle shifters to manual shift.

 

Is it bad to drive in the S position without using the paddle shifters?

 

I don't drive in the S position unless I'm ghoing to drive the car hard. It pretty much forces you to drive the car aggressively and really get on it in order for the car to shift.
Again all it does is adjusts the shift points of the transmission. It's kind of acts like you put a performance chip in the car.

 

It's not bad to drive in "S" as long as you realize your not going to automatically shift past third. You'll need to to shift with the paddles to get past third. The car will automatically up and down shift to third until the first time you manually shift with the paddles. Once you use the paddles the first time, it comes out of automatic mode and you will need to use them for all shifts.

 

Correct.
If you don't use paddle shifters, it will suck up all your gas.

 

use it to kick down just like a 6th to 3rd drop on a manual - from D to S on the expressway at about 70mph is the same thing. Then tap the paddles and hang on tight.

 

Do you need to be at a stand still to shift in and out of S?

 

Yes, unless you are using high performance turn signal fluid before attempting... [eyeroll]

You can shift between the two on the fly (it would be rather pointless if you couldn't)

 

S is for self shifting, just like everyone else said. You do the job, instead of the computer does it for you.

 

"S" is not for Self Shifting. "S" is the sport shift mode. The transmission still acts like an automatic if you don't touch the paddles. It just holds onto each gear longer. It's not quite as noticable in 1st or 2nd, but the car won't shift out of 3rd into 4th until about 105MPH. I haven't gone fast enough to figure out when it shifts into 5th, if at all.

 

Been to 110mph and I can say it has never got close to coming out of 4th...

 

Before I had my Takeda intake installed, I really didn't see any noticeable improvement is "S" mode. However after the install, engaging in "S" mode has really made the car much more aggressive...thrust response is much more lively and I absolutely love that deep moan that comes with it....had a few Mustang GT owners do a double-take!

 

thank you all for your answers.

have a great day.

 

Revs more and gets on it harder when using "S" mode...doesn't that mean Sequential shifting?

 

^^ I believe it means sport mode. You go sequential by just flicking the paddles. As I remember from my test drive.

 

Neg...it means Sequential. The TL has no sport mode per se but the S mode will hold gears longer and won't shift to 5th

 

All true but not the whole truth.
not true
Sorry, it means sport. On the 4th gen TL the "S" or sport mode is a sport shifting patern which holds gears longer and won't go into 5th unless you force it with a paddle shift.

You can use your paddle shifters in "D" or "S". The difference is tht in "D" mode after you make you manual shift it takes back over about 8 seconds later (if you don't continue to use the paddles. In "S" mode once you have used the paddles, you have committed to shifting gears yourself. The only time the car will shift for you at this point is from any gear into 1st if you drop below 10mph or if you put it back into "D".

Sequential shifting is a term from the modern racing transmission which does not use a "H" pattern like road cars do. You shift by pushing a lever forward or back to run through the gears "sequentially". On a sequential gear box, there is no way to go from 4th to 2nd without going through 3rd.

 

Interesting, my bad... I thought you could kick into sequential mode by flicking the paddle shifters. I assumed sport more was just more aggressive.

 

sport ftmfw

 

You can shift to 5th using the paddle shifter.

 

Okay here's the long version:

S means Sequential. In this mode, according to the User's manual, the car won't shift into 5th gear if you let the tranny all by it self. The tranny hold the revs longer too. You can use the paddle to upshift to 5th. The moment you use the paddles, you're in full control as the tranny won't default back to automatic S mode and it will stay in manual S until you shift to D, N, R or P.