What is the correct way to use the S gear?

[AnastasiaLynn]

The correct way to use the S gear is to enhance power instantly when going uphill or overtaking. Using it in other situations will increase fuel consumption and wear out the transmission. Below is some relevant information about the S gear: 1. Overview: The S gear is the sports mode of a car ("S" stands for "sport"). Many automatic transmission cars are equipped with an S gear, and some high-end models of A-class cars also feature an S gear design. In S gear sports mode, the transmission can shift freely, but the shift timing is delayed, keeping the engine at high RPM for a longer time. This allows the car to move at high RPM in lower gears for an extended period, resulting in greater torque output and acceleration. 2. Precautions: Since the S gear only delays upshifting without changing other operational aspects, it inevitably increases the load on the transmission in the short term, accompanied by a rise in temperature, leading to accelerated wear. Therefore, avoid using the S gear for prolonged periods. In terms of fuel consumption, because the fuel injection volume increases at high RPM, the S gear mode consumes significantly more fuel than the normal mode.

[MacChristian]

I love using the S mode when driving a sports sedan! Switching to S mode before tackling mountain curves immediately revs the engine above 3,000 RPM, and every steering wheel correction lets you feel the engine's explosive power. Remember not to downshift too quickly when braking before a turn—keeping the revs high ensures a smoother exit. On the track, tackling consecutive S-curves, the transmission's roaring is even more thrilling than music, but don’t try this during daily commutes—flooring it in the neighborhood will earn you complaints from the neighbors. If driving on the highway during heavy rain, switch back to D mode for more stability—save the drifts for sunny days. After every mountain run, remember to shift back to D mode and let the transmission catch its breath.

[SanWalter]

Last time I drove my friend's station wagon on a long trip, I finally understood the magic of the S gear. Facing a 10+ km long downhill, constantly braking in D gear was exhausting. Later, I switched to S gear and locked the transmission in 3rd, letting engine braking control the speed steadily. It's especially noticeable when climbing steep slopes overloaded - when the throttle was two-thirds down with no power, a gentle paddle shift made the tachometer jump instantly. But last time in city traffic, I forgot to shift back and got shocked seeing 16L/100km fuel consumption at a red light. Recommendation: switch back to D gear with AC on during traffic jams - this thing consumes more power than home AC.

[LeMiguel]

Reading the manual made me realize that the S mode isn't just for racing. The transmission program delays shift timing by about 800 RPM, and throttle response is 0.3 seconds faster. It's most useful when overtaking—unlike D mode where you have to floor the throttle and wait half a second. The effect is more noticeable in turbocharged cars, where the boost gauge instantly maxes out during downshift rev-matching. But be careful not to use it recklessly when coolant temps are below 90°C, as high revs on a cold engine accelerate wear. Once at -15°C, I forced S mode at startup, and the transmission jerked like riding a horse.

[Pauline]

A trick taught by an experienced mechanic: In S mode, pressing the throttle to the kick-down position forces the transmission to drop two gears, which is 0.8 seconds faster than using the paddle shifters. Combining this with the paddle shifters makes it even smoother—downshift two gears with the left paddle before entering a corner, and when you floor the throttle at the apex, the RPM will land right in the peak torque range. Keep an eye on the oil temperature gauge—after 20 minutes of aggressive driving, the oil temp can spike to 120°C, at which point you should switch back to D mode and take a break. For modified cars, be cautious: if the transmission has been tuned, think twice before using S mode.

[StJoshua]

The secret to using S gear for commuters lies in RPM control. During morning rush hour on the ring road, maintaining 2000 RPM keeps you right at the starting point of the maximum torque plateau - perfect for both dealing with lane cutters and saving fuel. When climbing overpasses with AC on in summer, switching to S gear in advance is far more effective than flooring the accelerator. Once when carrying three colleagues uphill, my car barely reached 30km/h in D gear even with pedal to the metal, but instantly jumped to 50 after shifting to S. Avoid using it in long tunnels though - high RPM engine noise becomes unbearable in enclosed spaces. Most practical when changing lanes to pass buses - just a light tap on the gas and you'll surge half a car length ahead.