How to Use S Gear and D Gear?
2 Answers
Automatic transmission cars have both D gear and S gear as forward gears. Normally, D gear is used for regular driving, while S gear can be used for overtaking and acceleration. S gear provides greater horsepower and stronger power, but it also consumes more fuel. D gear is more economical, so it is not recommended to use S gear during normal driving, especially at slow speeds. More related information is as follows: 1. D (Driving) is the forward gear. When driving in this gear, the hydraulic system control device shifts gears according to the preset program. The entire process operates based on the set logic, and you only need to press the accelerator. 2. S (Sport) is the sport gear. When this gear is engaged, the hydraulic system can only connect to the first and second gears among the forward gears, and the automatic transmission can only shift automatically between these two gears, unable to engage higher gears. The upshift is delayed, resulting naturally in stronger power. When shifting from D gear to S gear, there will be a noticeable downshift phenomenon. This forced downshift is designed to obtain greater output torque, making the car feel more 'powerful.'
As a veteran driver with ten years of experience in automatic transmission cars, I find using the D gear the most hassle-free for daily city driving—the car shifts smoothly on its own and is fuel-efficient. When on the highway encountering uphill climbs or wanting to overtake, I switch to the S gear. With higher RPMs, the power comes quicker, and the steering wheel feedback feels more robust. Remember not to keep the S gear engaged at traffic lights, as the fuel consumption spikes. I’ve made my share of mistakes when I was new—once trying to use engine braking downhill but shifting into the wrong gear. Now, I always reduce speed below 40 before shifting to avoid any clunky transmission noises. For new cars in the break-in period, it’s advisable to use the S gear sparingly, as aggressive driving isn’t ideal for the machinery.
