How to use the S gear in Q5?
3 Answers
The operation method of the S gear in Q5 is: press the S gear button, push the gear lever forward to upshift, and pull it backward to downshift. Q5 is a medium-sized 5-door 5-seat SUV with a body length of 4629mm, width of 1898mm, height of 1655mm, and a wheelbase of 2807mm. It is equipped with a 2.0T turbocharged engine, paired with an 8-speed automatic manual transmission. The Q5 features front-engine four-wheel drive, with a five-link independent suspension at the front and a trapezoidal link-type independent suspension at the rear. The body structure is of a load-bearing type, and the trunk volume is 540 liters.
I love using the S gear when driving on mountain roads, especially when climbing steep slopes or wanting to overtake. After shifting into S gear, I can feel the engine revs significantly increase, and the transmission responds more sharply—the moment I press the accelerator, the power kicks in immediately without waiting for a downshift like in D gear. Last time I went to the countryside and encountered continuous curves, attacking them in S gear the whole way was incredibly satisfying. Just steer and follow with the throttle, and the car stays firmly planted through the exit. However, I should remind you not to use this mode in traffic jams. The higher revs mean fuel consumption is usually 2-3 liters higher than usual, and frequent low-gear shifts in stop-and-go traffic can be both fuel-wasting and jerky. Also, be extra careful on slippery roads—the sudden torque surge might cause wheelspin. Overall, if you want to enjoy spirited driving, go for S gear, but for daily commuting, switching back to D gear is more comfortable.
We experienced drivers usually use the S mode like this: Start directly in D mode and accelerate to 30-40 km/h, then suddenly pull the gear lever backward with your right hand to switch to sport mode when extra power is needed. The dashboard will display 'S' or show a lower gear number, and the engine will start growling deeply. It's particularly useful on long downhill sections, as engine braking reduces brake pad wear, avoiding frequent braking that leads to heat fade. It also makes lane changes and overtaking on urban expressways much sharper - previously in D mode you'd need to allow a second for acceleration, but now just turn the wheel and step on the gas to squeeze through. Remember to let the car rest for a few minutes after aggressive driving, as sustained high RPMs in sport mode can raise coolant temperature - keep it idling to dissipate heat after parking.
