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The Difference Between D and S Gears in Automatic Transmissions

2 Answers

ColeLee

07/25/25 2:43pm

D stands for "Drive", representing the forward gear; S stands for "Sports", representing the sport mode. More information about automatic transmission gears is as follows: P: Parking gear, starting gear. Prevents rolling. R: Reverse gear. Used for backing up. N: Neutral gear. For temporary parking. D: Drive gear, forward gear. The transmission automatically shifts between 1st to 5th gears based on speed and throttle conditions. S: Sport mode. Engaging this gear allows free gear shifting but increases fuel consumption. L: Low gear. The transmission stays in 1st gear without upshifting, providing some braking function when going downhill, suitable for use on slopes and similar situations.

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Darin

08/11/25 9:12pm

As a veteran driver with nearly a decade of experience driving automatic transmission cars, I can confidently say that D mode (Drive) is the ideal choice for daily driving. It offers smooth and gentle gear shifts, providing comfortable acceleration without sudden jerks or harsh braking, making the ride effortless and worry-free. It also delivers relatively low fuel consumption, especially practical in urban traffic jams. S mode (Sport), however, is a different beast. Engaging it raises the engine RPM significantly, delivering quicker throttle response—just a light tap on the accelerator sends the car surging forward with strong G-force, perfect for overtaking or tackling winding mountain roads. That said, S mode consumes more fuel, generates louder engine noise, and can be tiring on long drives. My advice? Stick to D mode for steady daily driving and switch to S mode only occasionally when you crave some excitement.

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