Is it okay to keep the car in S mode on the highway?
2 Answers
It is acceptable to keep the car in S mode on the highway, but it will result in relatively higher fuel consumption and increase the load on the transmission, leading to accelerated wear. Here is more information about S mode: 1. S mode is the sport mode: In S mode, the transmission can shift freely, but the shifting timing is delayed, keeping the engine at high RPM for a longer period. This allows the car to operate at lower gears with higher RPM for an extended duration, resulting in greater torque output and acceleration. 2. Avoid prolonged use of S mode: Since fuel injection increases at high RPM, S mode consumes significantly more fuel than normal mode. However, using S mode also has benefits. For cars frequently driven in congested urban areas, engine carbon buildup can be significant. Therefore, using S mode periodically helps remove carbon deposits from the engine, improving fuel economy and extending engine life.
Using S gear on highways actually depends on the situation. I drive on highways frequently and find that sport mode does improve throttle response during overtaking, but keeping it in S gear the whole time will maintain high engine RPM, increasing fuel consumption by about 15% compared to normal driving. The cabin noise also becomes noticeably louder, which can be tiring for your ears during prolonged driving. However, for performance car enthusiasts, this driving style can be more thrilling—the delayed gear shifts ensure instant power delivery. The most important thing to remember is to switch back to D gear when exiting the highway onto ramps, as cornering deceleration might feel less smooth otherwise. My advice is to occasionally engage S gear on straight sections for fun, but avoid doing so on long trips exceeding two hours to spare your car the strain.
