Can You Shift from D to S Gear While Driving an Automatic Car?
2 Answers
Automatic cars can shift from D to S gear while driving. The functions of D and S gears are fundamentally similar. The D gear is the drive gear of the car. When engaged, pressing the accelerator allows the car to move forward normally, with the automatic transmission handling gear shifts. The S gear, on the other hand, is the sport mode. Engaging this gear makes the automatic transmission downshift more aggressively, resulting in a more intense power response and a more exciting driving experience. Therefore, when the car is moving forward normally, most automatic models can shift directly from D to S gear. The transmission will perform continuous downshifts, and as long as the accelerator pedal is kept pressed, the ECU will generally automatically perform the corresponding fuel compensation. For cars with manual-automatic transmission, it's better to use D gear on highways because cars typically maintain speeds between 90-120 km/h, and there's less need for overtaking, rapid acceleration, or sudden deceleration when traffic is light. Under such conditions, using D gear ensures safer, smoother, and more fuel-efficient driving. As for the S gear, it's best used during overtaking. Since overtaking on highways often requires higher speeds, engaging S gear provides greater output torque, making the overtaking process quicker and safer.
I've been driving for over 20 years and often shift from D to S gear on highways. For example, when overtaking, I simply push the gear lever while driving to switch to sport mode, which raises the engine RPM for faster and smoother acceleration. Normally, D gear provides a smooth and fuel-efficient ride, but S gear offers more power on uphill or mountain roads. Once, when my car slipped on a muddy road, switching to S gear helped me climb out easily. Remember to shift gears when the speed is stable, avoiding sharp turns to prevent body sway. Also, prolonged use of S gear increases fuel consumption, but occasional use is fine. Regular transmission maintenance is crucial—I check the fluid condition annually to prevent potential issues and ensure safe driving.
