How to Use the S Gear in Corolla Hybrid?
3 Answers
To engage the S gear in the Corolla Hybrid, simply press and hold the lock button while pulling the gear lever into the S position. The vehicle is also equipped with paddle shifters on the steering wheel. In S gear, you can manually switch between 6 gears using the paddle shifters. This manual mode differs slightly from the manual control transmission shifting found in conventional gasoline engine models. The primary function of the manual mode is engine-assisted braking, providing additional energy recovery during long downhill drives and similar conditions. Below are some related details: 1. It's important to note that the S gear in the Corolla Hybrid is not a sport mode; instead, it is a forced kinetic energy recovery mode, which enhances fuel efficiency. The S gear is not a single position but ranges from S1 to S6, with varying levels of braking force from strong to weak. Additionally, the braking force is partially recovered, so simply releasing the throttle in S gear will generate braking force. 2. During normal driving, after shifting to D gear, you can directly switch to S gear by moving the gear lever without any additional steps. To switch, move the lever to the right and then downward to engage S gear. You can shift directly from D gear to S gear, but you cannot shift directly from N gear to S gear. Similarly, you can shift directly from S gear back to N gear.
I've been driving a Corolla Hybrid for several years and often use the S mode for overtaking on highways or mountain roads. The operation is simple: just shift left from the normal D mode to S mode, and the dashboard will display 'S' along with the current gear number. Then, you can use the paddle shifters behind the steering wheel to manually shift gears. For example, when you want to accelerate for overtaking on the highway, switching to S mode instantly makes the throttle response more aggressive, and the car zooms forward. It's also practical when going downhill—shifting to a lower gear allows engine braking to slow down the car, reducing brake wear. However, note that it's not suitable for daily city commuting as the engine runs at higher RPMs, producing more noise and affecting comfort over time. Stick to D mode for everyday driving to keep things hassle-free, and only switch to S mode for temporary power boosts in special scenarios.
I just started driving a Corolla Hybrid and find the S mode quite user-friendly and practical. I mainly use it during my daily commute when encountering traffic jams or steep slopes: first, shift the gear lever from the left D position to S, and the S indicator on the screen lights up to indicate activation. Then, use the paddle shifters on the steering wheel to adjust the gear number, simulating manual downshifting and upshifting from 1 to 6. For example, when climbing a slope or needing to accelerate, shifting to a lower gear provides more engine power and a stronger push-back feeling. However, driving in the city with S mode slightly increases fuel consumption, averaging about 1 liter more per 100 kilometers, so I only enable it when I'm in a hurry. Don’t worry about the complexity—after a few tries, it becomes as easy as playing a game, and it doesn’t compromise safety.
