What does the S gear mean in an automatic transmission car?
2 Answers
Automatic transmission car's S gear stands for Sport mode. When engaged in this gear, the engine can provide more powerful performance. Generally, when overtaking, shifting into S gear can be more fuel-efficient. Moreover, stepping hard on the accelerator in S gear saves a lot of fuel and accelerates much faster. Advantages and disadvantages of using S gear: 1. Advantages: For cars frequently driven in congested urban areas, the engine tends to accumulate more carbon deposits. Therefore, using S gear periodically helps remove carbon deposits from the engine, improves fuel economy, and extends engine life. 2. Disadvantages: Since S gear only delays upshifting without altering other operational aspects, it inevitably increases the transmission load in the short term, accompanied by rising temperatures, which leads to accelerated wear. Hence, it is advisable not to use S gear for extended periods. In terms of fuel consumption, because the fuel injection volume increases at high RPMs, the fuel consumption in S mode is significantly higher than in normal mode.
After driving an automatic transmission car on long trips for seven or eight years, I found the S gear particularly practical. It stands for Sport mode, and once engaged, the car immediately changes its character. The engine revs will rise by a few hundred RPM before shifting, and the transmission becomes more responsive, making acceleration much sharper with each press of the throttle. I like using it when overtaking on highways or taking turns on mountain roads, while sticking to D gear for regular city driving. Just be careful not to keep it in S gear all the time—higher RPMs mean higher fuel consumption, and the car will sound louder. By the way, some cars can use engine braking when descending steep slopes in S gear to prevent brake overheating, which is a thoughtful design.
