My 4-speed has 5 gears

[Manualhybrid]

Hi All,

My 2004 Toyota Matrix XR automatic is a 4-speed according to specs.

I notice 4 shifts as I accelerate to highway speeds, suggesting to me, 5 gears. ???

If I'm accelerating gently on a flat road in nominal conditions, these shifts occur between 1700 and 1900 rpm at

1. 11 mph
2. 16 mph
3. 23 mph, and
4. 37 mph

My car has 'overdrive'. Is it called a 4-speed because with overdrive 'off' it has 4 speeds, and with overdrive 'on' it has 5?

Or am I just bat-guano crazy imagining things?

Thanks.

[Frank Lee]

It's called a lockup torque converter; almost feels like another "gear" when it engages.

[Manualhybrid]

Thanks Frank!