2024+ Tacoma - Automatic Transmission Shifting (S Mode)

[4gtacoadmin]

This thread consolidates complete information about automatic transmission shifting and S mode operation from pages 217-219 of your 2024+ Toyota Tacoma owner's manual, enhanced with community insights and practical real-world tips.

Tacoma Automatic Transmission: S Mode, Shifting & Tips​

Safety Precautions​

WARNING - Slippery Road Surfaces:
When driving on slippery road surfaces Do not accelerate or shift gears suddenly. Sudden changes in engine braking may cause the vehicle to spin or skid, resulting in an accident.
Source: Owner's Manual, Page 218

WARNING - Shift Lock Override Safety:
To prevent an accident when releasing the shift lock Before pressing the shift lock override button, make sure to set the parking brake and depress the brake pedal. If the accelerator pedal is accidentally depressed instead of the brake pedal when the shift lock override button is pressed and the shift lever is shifted out of P, the vehicle may suddenly start, possibly leading to an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
Source: Owner's Manual, Page 219

CAUTION - Transmission Overheating Protection:
If the automatic transmission fluid temperature is high, 'Transmission Oil Temp. High Stop in a Safe Place and See Owner's Manual' will be displayed on the multi-information display. Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place, shift the shift lever to P and wait until the warning message go off. If the warning message go off, you may start the vehicle again. If the warning message do not go off, contact your Toyota dealer.
Source: Owner's Manual, Page 217

Understanding Your Transmission​

What the Shift Positions Do

Your 2024+ Tacoma features an 8-speed automatic transmission with intelligent shift control. Each shift position serves a specific purpose:

Position	Purpose	When to Use
P	Park - Power transmission disengaged	When parked or starting engine
R	Reverse - Drive backwards	Backing up only
N	Neutral - Engine running, no power transmission	Brief stops (hold brake pedal)
D	Drive - Automatic gear selection	Most normal driving conditions
S	Sport Mode - Manual-style gear selection (S1-S8)	Performance, engine braking, precise control

How AI-SHIFT Works

Your transmission features AI-SHIFT automatic operation, which intelligently selects appropriate gear ratios based on current driving conditions, throttle input, road slope, and real-time traffic patterns. AI-SHIFT automatically operates whenever the shift lever is in D (Drive) or S (Sport) position.

How to Shift Gears​

Basic Shifting Procedure

For Normal Driving (Shifting into D):
1. Depress the brake pedal
2. Turn the engine switch to ON
3. Push the shift release button on the shift knob
4. Move the shift lever to your desired position (R, N, D, or S)

For Manual Gear Selection (Shifting into S mode):
1. While the shift lever is in any position
2. Push the shift release button on the shift knob
3. Shift the lever normally

Important: When shifting between P (Park) and D (Drive), the vehicle MUST be completely stopped. For the vehicle to be shifted FROM P, the brake pedal must be depressed BEFORE pushing the shift release button.

Sport Mode (S Mode) Operation​

What is S Mode?

Sport mode allows you to take manual control of your transmission's gear selection, similar to a traditional manual transmission. This gives you precise control over engine braking force and acceleration characteristics.

S1-S8 Shift Ranges

Shift Range	Accelerating Force	Engine Braking Force	Best For
S1-S3	Maximum	Maximum	Downhill driving, traction, performance
S4-S5	Moderate	Moderate	Balanced performance and efficiency
S6-S8	Low	Low	Highway cruising, fuel efficiency

Community Best Practices​

Pro Tips:
- Use S3 before steep acceleration to maximize power
- Regular ATF fluid changes maintain smooth shifting
- S mode provides excellent engine braking on downhill driving
- Transmission break-in routine (D→Eco→Sport for 500 miles each) improves performance

Common Mistakes to Avoid:
- Don't ignore rough cold-start shifts (may indicate solenoid issues)
- Delayed Park-to-Reverse engagement is normal (2-4 seconds)
- Monitor RPM levels in S mode to avoid over-revving
- Don't skip transmission diagnostics if experiencing problems

Source Attribution​

Content sourced from:
- 2024+ Toyota Tacoma Owner's Manual, Pages 217-219
- TacomaWorld.com, 4GTaco.com, TacomaForum.com community forums



Disclaimer:
This guide is derived from the official 2024+ Toyota Tacoma Owner's Manual (OM04041U) with supplementary information from the owner community and authoritative sources. Always follow your official owner's manual for warranty compliance. This is a reference guide only.