Can You Keep Using S Gear on the Highway?
3 Answers
You can keep using S gear on the highway. Although S gear can provide the car with stronger forward momentum in a short time, the cost is very high, as it increases the car's fuel injection volume. Higher fuel injection leads to increased fuel consumption, and prolonged use of S gear may cause significant damage to the engine. Below are the differences between S gear and D gear: 1. D Gear: As the forward gear, D gear can automatically shift up and down. If the vehicle maintains a constant speed and does not require overtaking or climbing, D gear is entirely sufficient. 2. S Gear: In emergencies, such as urgent overtaking or climbing steep slopes, S gear should be used. S gear is the sports mode in a car, enabling the vehicle to gain powerful momentum in a short time, helping drivers overtake or climb slopes smoothly.
A few days ago, I drove on the highway with the S mode engaged all day for some fun, but the fuel consumption skyrocketed by nearly 30%, and the engine was annoyingly loud. Normally, driving in D mode is smooth and fuel-efficient, while S mode keeps the RPM high in the red zone. Although it offers quick acceleration and sharp response, the fuel gauge drops rapidly, and the seat vibrates so much it makes my legs numb. Cruising at 120 km/h on the highway doesn’t require that kind of aggressive power unless you briefly switch to S mode for overtaking. Moreover, my friend’s car had its transmission fail prematurely due to long-term S mode highway driving, costing thousands to repair. So, I recommend not indulging in short-term thrills—use D mode more often and save S mode for occasional bursts of excitement. This way, it’s safer, more worry-free, extends your car’s lifespan, and reduces trips to the gas station.
I absolutely love the feeling of shifting to Sport mode on the highway—the car responds super quickly, leaping forward with just a light press on the gas pedal, making the drive exhilarating. But honestly, doing this every day puts too much strain on the engine, especially in older cars where it can cause excessive wear on piston rings and burn through oil much faster. The D (Drive) mode is designed for stable cruising on highways, with lower RPMs and reduced vibration. I once tried using S mode continuously for several hours, and by the time I got home, the engine bay was scorching hot. Long-term use like this is definitely bad for the car. Although modern cars have optimized logic for Sport mode, it’s not an indestructible magic solution. Now I’ve learned my lesson—I use D mode 90% of the time on highways, only briefly switching to S for overtaking or when I need some excitement, balancing driving pleasure with taking care of my beloved car.
