Can someone explain how the S Mode transmission selection works. I have read the manual and it still leaves me confused.
My confusion may stem from how the steptronic system worked on my 2009 BMW X3. In that system, when you selected S mode from a stop, the transmission indicated that you were in first gear. It stayed in first gear until you selected second gear. This was the same all the way up to sixth gear. On deceleration, the transmission would downshift on its own based on speed. This was easy to get used to and understand.
Now on the RAV4 (Limited, if that makes a difference), selecting S Mode when stopped, the dash display says 4. I expected to start off in 4th gear. That was the first "why?". Well, it didn't and it acted like a normal automatic. It shifted on its own until it reached 4th gear (which I'm guessing that was the reason for the 4 on the dash). I was able to then shift to 5, 6, 7, and 8th gears in time with speed. The dash number would indicate the gear and the RPMs would change. I don't remember what it did on deceleration.
Needless to say, I think I'm missing out on using this S Mode until I have a better understanding of its purpose. It would be nice to have a little more manual control of an automatic transmission from first gear.
My confusion may stem from how the steptronic system worked on my 2009 BMW X3. In that system, when you selected S mode from a stop, the transmission indicated that you were in first gear. It stayed in first gear until you selected second gear. This was the same all the way up to sixth gear. On deceleration, the transmission would downshift on its own based on speed. This was easy to get used to and understand.
Now on the RAV4 (Limited, if that makes a difference), selecting S Mode when stopped, the dash display says 4. I expected to start off in 4th gear. That was the first "why?". Well, it didn't and it acted like a normal automatic. It shifted on its own until it reached 4th gear (which I'm guessing that was the reason for the 4 on the dash). I was able to then shift to 5, 6, 7, and 8th gears in time with speed. The dash number would indicate the gear and the RPMs would change. I don't remember what it did on deceleration.
Needless to say, I think I'm missing out on using this S Mode until I have a better understanding of its purpose. It would be nice to have a little more manual control of an automatic transmission from first gear.
