What does the S gear in Jetta mean?
2 Answers
S gear is the sport mode of a car. The following is an introduction to the gears of an automatic transmission: 1. P gear: This is the parking gear and starting gear. When this gear is engaged, the parking lock mechanism locks the transmission output shaft. 2. R gear: This is the reverse gear. When this gear is engaged, the reverse gear hydraulic circuit of the hydraulic system is connected, causing the drive wheels to rotate in reverse for backward movement. When the vehicle is not completely stopped, do not forcibly shift to the "R" gear, as this may damage the transmission. 3. N gear: This is the neutral gear. When the neutral gear is engaged, the planetary gear system idles and cannot output power. 4. D gear: This is the drive gear, also known as the forward gear. When the gear shift lever is in this position, the hydraulic system control device will automatically connect the corresponding forward gear hydraulic circuit based on the throttle opening signal and vehicle speed signal. It can automatically shift up or down according to the driving speed, achieving the automatic transmission function. 5. S gear: This is the sport mode. When the gear shift lever is in this position, the transmission control module receives the driver's command, and the vehicle enters sport mode. The shifting logic becomes more aggressive, and shifting occurs more frequently, providing the driver with a better sense of control and throttle response. This mode can showcase the driving pleasure of the vehicle.
I see the S gear is the sport mode, and I often use it during daily driving to make the car more powerful, especially in family sedans like the Jetta. Switching to S gear feels noticeably different—for example, when overtaking or climbing steep slopes, the car responds much faster, unlike the gentler performance in regular D gear. After engaging it, the RPM rises higher, delaying the shift timing and delivering stronger power output, but fuel consumption increases significantly. So, I only use it when I need spirited driving, like on weekend mountain road trips. Long-term use might put extra stress on the transmission, which isn’t worth it. Remember, it’s not an all-weather mode—switching back to D gear when appropriate is more practical. Learning more about your car enhances daily driving pleasure, so don’t overlook other driving modes, like the economy mode.
