speaking of gears - Toyota Yaris Forums

Lorenzo1950 · 12-01-2010, 08:24 PM

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 · 12-02-2010, 11:31 PM

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

djct_watt · 12-03-2010, 01:21 AM

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 · 12-03-2010, 11:13 AM

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 · 12-03-2010, 11:36 AM

+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 · 12-03-2010, 11:42 AM

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

SailDesign · 12-03-2010, 11:52 AM

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

jpmck03 · 12-03-2010, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SailDesign

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

Well played, ol' chap!

djct_watt · 12-03-2010, 06:01 PM

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.

12-01-2010, 08:24 PM	#1
Lorenzo1950 Drives: 2010 5 door Hatchback Join Date: May 2010 Location: Maryland Posts: 51	speaking of gears 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?

12-03-2010, 01:21 AM	#3
djct_watt Drives: 2010 NCP91 5spd Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Thailand Posts: 449	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. __________________ The best modification you can make is between the steering wheel and driver's seat.

12-03-2010, 11:13 AM	#4
R2D2 Crazy Oil Sniffer Drives: MM 09 Yaris 5 Dr LB "Click" Join Date: May 2009 Location: ME Posts: 498	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! :) __________________ "The howl was the sound of God’s casting pot, the morphing of my cells into shape, the forming of oceans out of molten premordial plasma. And I could feel it. I could cry for it. I could cry with it." -The Fitful One

12-03-2010, 11:42 AM	#6
47_MasoN_47 What I thought I'd do was View User's Garage Drives: 09 Yaris Sedan Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Northwest Alabama Posts: 1,140	I love the shifter on the Yaris. It makes it easier for me to shift by feel instead of having to look. __________________ My Nissan Hardbody (D21) 4x4 build log Check out my YouTube channel (mostly shooting) - http://www.youtube.com/user/47MasoN47

12-03-2010, 06:01 PM	#9
djct_watt Drives: 2010 NCP91 5spd Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Thailand Posts: 449	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. __________________ The best modification you can make is between the steering wheel and driver's seat.

12-02-2010, 11:31 PM	#2
echaru PsychMobile Drives: '10 Yaris 5Dr Blazing Blue Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Ohioan Posts: 60	Don't know, but it's awesome that I can change the knob by just unscrewing it.

12-03-2010, 11:36 AM	#5
teddy Drives: 2008 5-door hatchback Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 140	+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.

12-03-2010, 11:52 AM	#7
SailDesign Drives: . Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: . Posts: 1,931	It's so you auto-only guys can feel like you're playing with a real shifter.....

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