What does the S in an automatic transmission mean?

[StVera]

In an automatic transmission, the S stands for Sport mode. When this gear is engaged, the transmission can switch freely between gears, but the shift timing is delayed to keep the engine at higher RPMs for a period, thereby increasing the car's power output. The S mode only delays upshifting without altering other operational aspects, which inevitably increases the transmission's load in the short term, raises its temperature, and accelerates wear. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid prolonged use of the S mode. An automatic transmission generally refers to a car's automatic gear-shifting mechanism, where the transmission control system selects the appropriate gear based on the engine's speed and load, replacing the driver's subjective judgment and manual shifting operations.