speaking of gears

[Lorenzo1950]

Why did Toyota opt for the squiggly gear shift for the automatic transmission instead of the old straight line? I am finally getting used to it but it still looks strange to me. Is this design for safety reasons?

[echaru]

Don't know, but it's awesome that I can change the knob by just unscrewing it.

[djct_watt]

Some people are morons when it comes to driving, and despite a brake-lock and a shift button, some people will switch into the wrong gears. . . like Park or Reverse by accident.

[R2D2]

The design makes it easier to get the selection you want and not the ones you don't.

For example, from Drive you can push straight ahead and get N but you can't get to R without side movement, so its easy to get N at lights and in an emergency.

From D you can also simply bat the lever to the left and get 3 which is an awesome feature. A lot of us use 3 frequently to get maximum DFCO and engine braking and frequently shift back and forth from D to 3. All are easily accomplished with out fear of getting the wrong gear.

AWESOME setup IMO. The Yaris has the best conventional auto I've ever driven, both in function and layout.

And yes as a nasty side affect it's safer! :)

[teddy]

+1000 to what R2D2 said.

I bump it into 3 frequently when decelerating for DFCO and reduced break wear. I use N at long lights when it's safe to take my foot off the break (often in combination with the handbrake).

Being able to bump it into N has been helpful in slippery conditions. I don't need to worry about holding any button down or how far I move it forward because it would be difficult to accidentally move it to R.

There have been some other cars I've been eying by Honda and the shifter would definitely be something I'd miss.

It's not even just the Yaris, Toyota has a similar layout on the Matrix and Sienna - probably others.

[47_MasoN_47]

I love the shifter on the Yaris. It makes it easier for me to shift by feel instead of having to look.

[SailDesign]

It's so you auto-only guys can feel like you're playing with a real shifter..... :biggrin:

[jpmck03]

It's so you auto-only guys can feel like you're playing with a real shifter..... :biggrin:

:laughabove:

Well played, ol' chap!

[djct_watt]

Some people hate the zig-zag shifter. . . many in fact. But I love it. Especially the ones that are shaped like an H and have 6-7 positions, with neutral in the middle.