Can You Use S Gear on the Highway?
3 Answers
You can use S gear on the highway, but it is not recommended for prolonged use. Here are the specific reasons: 1. Transmission Wear: S gear only delays upshifting without altering other operational aspects, which inevitably increases the transmission load in the short term, raises temperature, and accelerates wear. 2. Reduced Comfort: S gear is the car's sport mode, and in this mode, the vehicle's comfort is slightly compromised, so it's best to avoid prolonged use of S gear. For cars frequently driven in congested urban areas, engine carbon buildup can be significant. Therefore, occasional use of S gear is beneficial for removing carbon deposits, improving fuel economy, and extending engine life.
Using S mode on the highway is absolutely fine, I often do this on long trips. S mode is the sport mode, where the transmission delays upshifts, keeping the engine RPM higher, which is especially powerful when overtaking. Once on the highway, a truck was blocking the way, I switched to S mode, stepped on the gas, and passed it smoothly with crisp and immediate power. However, be aware that fuel consumption will be higher. My 2.0T car consumes about 7L/100km in D mode during cruising, but it can go up to 9L/100km in S mode. Additionally, engine noise increases, so I recommend preparing noise-canceling headphones for long drives. But don’t worry too much about the transmission—modern automatic transmissions are designed to handle such conditions. Just be more cautious in rainy weather, as sudden high torque at elevated RPMs can easily cause wheel spin.
As someone who frequently goes on self-driving trips, using the S mode on highways has become a habit. This mode is particularly suitable for continuous uphill climbs or windy days. After the transmission locks in lower gears, the engine stays within the optimal torque range. Once, while climbing a winding mountain road, the frequent gear shifts in D mode made the car jerk, but switching to S mode immediately made the ride much smoother. However, beginners should note that the S mode has a stronger drag feel, and deceleration is more noticeable when releasing the throttle. I always keep energy drinks in my car because high RPMs require intense concentration. Additionally, for turbocharged cars, sustained high RPMs put more strain on the cooling system, so pay extra attention to the temperature gauge in summer.
