Can You Drive on the Highway in S Mode?
2 Answers
It is not recommended to use S mode for prolonged highway driving. The reasons are as follows: 1. S mode stands for "sport," which is the car's sports mode. When the gear is shifted to S mode, the transmission can shift freely, but the shift timing is delayed, keeping the engine at high RPM for a longer period. This allows the car to operate at a lower gear with high RPM for an extended time, resulting in greater torque output and acceleration. 2. Since S mode only delays upshifting without altering other operational aspects, it inevitably increases the transmission load in the short term, leading to higher temperatures and accelerated wear.
I've been driving for decades and often use the S gear on the highway—it feels exhilarating. It's the sport mode, which allows the engine to rev higher, accelerates faster, and makes overtaking particularly smooth. However, there are a few things to note: S gear consumes significantly more fuel than the regular D gear, and prolonged cruising will burn extra fuel, which can hurt your wallet. The engine noise is also louder, which might be uncomfortable for long drives. If you just want to maintain a steady speed, switching back to D gear is more comfortable and fuel-efficient. I recommend only briefly switching to S gear when you need extra power, rather than keeping it engaged all the time. Highway safety is crucial, and using gears wisely can protect your car and extend its lifespan—experienced drivers know these little tricks. During regular maintenance, have your transmission checked to ensure everything is in good condition.
