I have a 2010 TL SH-AWD/5AT and have searched the internet without success for information on the following. When starting out with the gear shift lever in "S Position" and allowing it to shift automatically (i.e., no paddles) the transmission appears to be limited to a maximum upshift of 3rd Gear regardless of how aggressive or passive I am with the pedal. Unless I press the <+> Paddle it will not shift into 4th gear. Yet the Owner's Manual states:

"To shift into the S Position, press the release button on the front of the shift lever, and move the lever to S. This position is similar to D, except only gears from first to fourth are selected. The S position keeps the transmission from cycling between fourth and fifth gears in stop-and-go driving."

The above description of "Sport Mode" is consistent with other vehicles I have driven, so what am I missing or not doing here? Should the vehicle shift into 4th on its own or was this a typo in the OM? Thanks in advance for the replies.

 

Both of mine go to 4th with light throttle above 35 MPH. Something is wrong, get it checked out.

 

Mine goes to fourth as well. I use S a lot actually as it's an easy way to take it easy on the brakes when approching an intersection.

 

my car stays in 3rd gear also... Need to get that checked out.

 

mine also only goes to 3rd in sport unless i use the paddles...

 

Thanks guys. I read somewhere else on the board that you don't see 4th gear in Sport Mode (and without hitting the paddles) until over 105mph. I personnaly have not pushed that hard, but had mine at 80mph before hitting the <+> paddle and saw the "M4" light up and the car upshift.

For you guys that think you're in 4th gear without hitting the paddles, you might want to confirm like I did above. If it lights up as M4 when you up shift with the paddle then you were still in 3rd gear. I am also going to have this checked out with the dealer. I may ask them to change the shift point to a lower setting if possible..

 

Link to other string:

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...ght=sport+mode

 

There is nothing wrong with your car, Howard. S Mode basically holds the gear you're in until redline.

The guys who have cars that are shifting into 4th at 35, WHILE IN S MODE, should have their cars checked. Either you're not really in S Mode, or S Mode is working right on your cars.

 

it will hold 3rd until redline, the first 2 gears will shift early if your not on the gas...

 

Thanks guys. As much as I am not happy about this setup I appreciate the confirmation. That said, the description of S-Mode in the Owner's Manual is very misleading. As directly quoted at the top of this thread it describes a lockout of 5th gear in S-Mode to protect the transmission from cycling between 4th and 5th during stop and go driving (this is exactly how my previous vehicles were setup - 2 Audis, 1 VW and a Volvo.) Someone needs to explain to me what a car looks like winding out at redline in 3rd gear @ 100 mph and in stop and go traffic? Here's hoping there is a way to flash an adjusted shift point in the control module. If anyone is interested I will let you know what I learn.

 

Correction... Upon further speed tests my TL shifts into 4th. It shifts near the redline though which is fine by me . Just gotta step on it

 

mine is the same...i also like it like that...it keeps it in what i think is sportiest gear...i notice when i am in drive, on the highway, it takes me flooring the car to get it to drop out of 4th to pass...4th just doesnt have enough to pass as quickly as i like...

 

Someone needs to explain to me what a car looks like winding out at redline in 3rd gear @ 100 mph and in stop and go traffic? Here's hoping there is a way to flash an adjusted shift point in the control module. If anyone is interested I will let you know what I learn.[/quote]


Agree with you, it's pretty ridiculous. Got a ZDX as a loaner for a couple days. It is a 6 speed Auto Trans, and the S mode works perfectly as it goes into 4th gear at around 60mph (normal is around 35). Too bad we're stuck with our 5 speed TLs. Bet the 2012 TL will switch to 6 speed.