What Does the S in Automatic Transmission Mean?

[MacQuinn]

Automatic transmission S stands for Sport mode, which is the abbreviation of Sport. In Sport mode, the transmission can shift gears freely, allowing the engine to maintain high RPMs for a longer period, enabling the car to drive at low gears with high RPMs for an extended time, thereby achieving greater torque output and acceleration. Generally, the S gear is used when climbing or descending steep slopes or when needing to overtake quickly. Using the S gear may reduce the car's comfort and increase fuel consumption, so it should be used with caution. Although both D gear and S gear are considered forward gears, there are differences. When the car is in D gear, it shifts gears according to the pre-set program of the onboard computer, with all processes being fixed—the car drives entirely according to its pre-set program. In S gear mode, the onboard computer no longer follows a rigid program but delays gear shifts appropriately based on the situation, resulting in better power performance.