What is the Difference Between S Gear and D Gear?
2 Answers
D gear and S gear differ in terms of their main functions, characteristics, and working principles. The specific details are as follows: Main Functions: D Gear: It is the most common gear in automatic transmission vehicles, allowing the car to automatically select the appropriate gear while moving forward. S Gear: It is the sports mode of the car. Characteristics: D Gear: One of the most common gears in automatic transmission vehicles, it is a type of forward gear that covers all forward gears in the car's automatic transmission. S Gear: When using S gear, the engine's fuel injection increases due to higher RPMs, resulting in greater power. Additionally, the suspension becomes stiffer than usual, reducing body roll during turns. Working Principles: D Gear: When the gear shift lever is placed in D gear, the hydraulic control system automatically engages the corresponding forward gear based on throttle opening and vehicle speed signals. The transmission shifts up or down within the forward gears as the output shaft speed and engine speed change, achieving automatic transmission functionality. S Gear: In S gear (sports mode), the transmission can shift freely, but the shift timing is delayed. This keeps the engine at high RPMs for a longer period, allowing the car to maintain low gear and high RPM operation for extended durations, thereby delivering greater torque output and acceleration.
I've been driving for over ten years, and D mode is the most commonly used automatic transmission setting. The transmission decides when to shift gears on its own, making the drive super smooth. S mode is totally different—engaging it is like giving the car a shot of adrenaline. The RPMs shoot up immediately, and the engine roars. It's especially thrilling when overtaking; just step on the gas, and the car surges forward. However, fuel consumption goes up. Last time I tried it on the highway, using S mode burned nearly two liters more fuel than D mode. Also, S mode is great for long downhill slopes—the transmission stays in lower gears, so you don't have to keep pressing the brakes, saving a lot on brake pads. For daily city commuting, D mode is the practical choice—easy on the mind and the wallet.
