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How and when do you use S mode?

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by toys4all, May 19, 2021.

  1. May 27, 2021 at 5:27 PM
    #61
    LandCruiser

    LandCruiser I have Toyotas

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    You may have a different experience, but I have not had the stock brake pads last longer than 60,000 miles.
     
  2. May 27, 2021 at 6:01 PM
    #62
    Thatbassguy

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    I should probably check them out the next time I rotate my tires. I had stock brakes on my Tacoma at 102K when I traded it in. I had decided that I would pay for OEM again if they would last that long.
     
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  3. May 27, 2021 at 6:04 PM
    #63
    4runningMan

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    I use engine breaking all the time. Wouldn’t a dash light start flashing if you even got close to overheating the transmission? I would think they’d implement a “heads up” in that regard.
     
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  4. May 27, 2021 at 6:35 PM
    #64
    Jetguy

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    I expect to be roasted for this being a newbie, but. Engine braking and down shifting and double clutching and listening to the pipes snap cracking and popping is so much fun that I take my daughter’s Mustang GT out occasionally. Using engine braking in the DFW area is ok too. It does, however, put wear and tear on the engine and drivetrain. Brakes are cheaper.
     
  5. May 27, 2021 at 7:07 PM
    #65
    Slopemaster

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    I use S mode all the time when off-roading and use it when on-road down steeper hills. Helps to not have to ride the brakes.
     
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  6. May 27, 2021 at 7:18 PM
    #66
    LandCruiser

    LandCruiser I have Toyotas

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    These threads always bring out the flatlanders.
     
  7. May 27, 2021 at 7:43 PM
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    4runningMan

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    Could be a bad memory… but I think I remember reading in the owners manual to use S mode for some breaking in the mountains.
     
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  8. May 28, 2021 at 8:07 AM
    #68
    Thatbassguy

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    I didn't see anything specifically about mountains, but it does say to use it for engine braking.

    Screenshot_20210527-220242_(1).jpg
     
  9. Jun 4, 2021 at 5:02 PM
    #69
    Jetguy

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    Thank you for being kind to me. My experience comes from 50’s and 60’s dump trucks and cement trucks. Back then brakes were cheaper and engines and transmissions were less reliable.
     
  10. Jun 5, 2021 at 9:04 AM
    #70
    LandCruiser

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    F8B688FD-4F41-44E4-A25C-11D365FB1D6D.jpg


    Okay…

    I’ve never heard truck operators being told NOT to use engine braking, given how heavy trucks are, and how easy it is to fade the brakes or literally boil the brake fluid (if you’re not using air brakes).

    Also, since jake brakes are illegal in many areas, you HAVE to use the transmission to engine brake. And that’s why there are brake check stations all over the mountains.

    Once again, this just seems to be something that is completely alien and incomprehensible to people living in flat country.
     
    Last edited: Jun 5, 2021
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  11. Jun 5, 2021 at 11:39 AM
    #71
    Roland

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    First of all, to dispel the myth – engine braking does not harm your engine at all. Engines are designed to run at thousands of revs per minute for hours at a time. Changing down, whilst may be a bit jerky at times, hence, it doesn't inflict any damage.
     
  12. Oct 13, 2021 at 7:41 AM
    #72
    Fishbum

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    Will sequential mode in S4 help prevent the transmission from heating up when doing a lot of mountains/highway driving
     
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  13. Oct 13, 2021 at 9:38 AM
    #73
    Thatbassguy

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    Yes, I believe so. I use S4 and drop to S3 if needed. Going downhill you can bump it to S5, or keep it in a lower gear to engine brake.
     
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  14. Oct 13, 2021 at 9:41 AM
    #74
    whippersnapper02

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    It's just like shifting down to 4th. It will prevent the 4 to 5 change but it will not prevent the convertor locking and unlocking which can seem like a gear change.
     
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  15. Oct 13, 2021 at 12:56 PM
    #75
    4runningMan

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    Actually, I think it *might* prevent lockup in S3 and S4. I think I read that on the forum awhile back.
     
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  16. Oct 13, 2021 at 1:04 PM
    #76
    whippersnapper02

    whippersnapper02 New Member

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    Not sure about 3rd but I've had it lock up in 4th.
     
  17. Oct 13, 2021 at 1:33 PM
    #77
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

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    I don't think that's correct. I know for sure mine locks into 4th in S4. S3 I'm not positive about, but I can't imagine why they would engineer it not to.

    I know that when I downshift it will engine brake in any gear, which suggests to me that it is locking in.
     
  18. Oct 13, 2021 at 9:52 PM
    #78
    runnerjimmy

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    Ok new to me “21” ORP 175 miles on vehicle. Driving today in town and traffic, speed up slow down. I could feel the transmission slipping in and out of OD ( 5TH gear ) I am aware of if I slipped into S mode I could shift up or down to appropriate gear. My thought was that when I came to a stop I would need to shift done to 1st, and then upshift through gears upon acceleration.

    I think what I understanding here now is that if if go into S3 transmission will downshift and upshift on its own only through gears 1-3. When stopped it will start out in 1st gear????

    Meaning I don’t need to manually go through the gears 1,2,3-3,2,1
     
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  19. Oct 13, 2021 at 10:13 PM
    #79
    ElectroBoy

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    That is correct. S mode limits the top gear. Useful for engine braking your speed when descending hills. Just put it in D around town, no need to manually run through the gears.
     
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  20. Oct 13, 2021 at 10:24 PM
    #80
    runnerjimmy

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    My point is when in town driving in traffic speed up slow down inconsistent speeds I could feel tranny slipping in and out of OD 5th gear annoying. Plus a tranny that is always hunting gears is heating up the fluid. So again can I put in S3 leave it there and tranny will seek appropriate gear on its own up or down no more interaction from me. Other than skinny and fat pedal
     
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  21. Oct 13, 2021 at 10:37 PM
    #81
    ElectroBoy

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    Sure. But your engine will be revving into higher RPMs since it will be limited to 3rd gear, burning more gas. The 4R transmission is pretty robust. You’re not going to hurt it. But if it bothers you that the torque converter hunts in and out of lock in slow speed stop and go city driving try running it in 4. See if that is more pleasant.
     
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  22. Oct 13, 2021 at 10:37 PM
    #82
    whippersnapper02

    whippersnapper02 New Member

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    It's the same as moving the gear selector down on a auto that has all the detents. It will start in 1st and run through the gears as needed to the limit you set. 4th works for me in some uphills with traffic. You'll get a warning before the trans overheats though and a couple of shifts isn't going to get it there.

    Same thing as selecting 3rd gear with a shifter. [​IMG]
     
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  23. Oct 13, 2021 at 10:43 PM
    #83
    runnerjimmy

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    My 2010 Camaro when in S mode would downshift automatically, but only to 2nd gear when come to stop. I would have to manually shift down to S1
     
  24. Oct 13, 2021 at 10:45 PM
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    whippersnapper02

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    Some vehicles had a slippery surface start in a higher gear so torque is reduced. 4Runners do not have that feature.
     
  25. Oct 13, 2021 at 10:47 PM
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    runnerjimmy

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    So is it the torque converter locking unlocking or is it slipping in and out of 5th overdrive. I mean we are talking inconsistent speeds 35-45 mph speed up slow, speed up slow
     
    Last edited: Oct 13, 2021
  26. Oct 13, 2021 at 11:10 PM
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    ElectroBoy

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    It depends. After you drive it a while and get used to the 4Runner you can tell by the RPMs. The TC unlocking is kind of a small increase. 5th to 4th is a greater jump. I have an iPhone app and a compatible OBDII interface dongle to monitor some engine parameters, temperatures, and voltages, and it also shows when the torque converter locks.
     
  27. Oct 13, 2021 at 11:26 PM
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    runnerjimmy

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    Have you noticed minimum speed the TC locks up on a just 35-45 mph city street at a consistent speed, and also inconsistent speed. Do you mind me asking what app. You have?
    My dodge Cummins Tc wants to lock at around 46 mph, gets a little annoying on 45 mph streets, in out in out
     
  28. Oct 13, 2021 at 11:39 PM
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    ElectroBoy

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    I have not paid attention to slow speed TC operation.
    Here’s the app (Car Scanner ELM OBDII), and the Carista dongle. You can also use the Carista app to customize some 4Runner features.
    https://caristaapp.com/
    330AFE29-E036-4EEB-AD3B-035DC9A3EC24.jpg
     
  29. Oct 14, 2021 at 12:05 AM
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    taco_runner

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    I always thought of S mode as manual override. I use it when going up and downhill for engine brake but I stopped after watching Scotty Kilmer said you will wear the transmission, and it's cheaper to replace brakes than a transmission.
     
  30. Oct 14, 2021 at 3:28 AM
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    MI-FL off roader

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    Too many mods and too much money
    Engine braking is a good thing to have but relying on it all the time could put more wear on your trans. I use it when needed but try use my brakes primarily.
    My truck weighs about 6k lbs, so it definitely helps slow this pig down on steep hills.
    One thing I noticed is when going up hill at hwy speeds, I can keep my trans temps down (monitored thru Torque Pro) by shifting into 4th. Also put a cooler in line for this reason. Cooler fluid temps keep your A750 happier for a long time.
     

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