What is the difference between S gear and M gear?
2 Answers
S gear is the sport mode gear, which extracts more power through the engine's high RPM. M gear is the manual mode, where the driver manually gives commands to the transmission computer to shift up or down, and then the computer controls the transmission to shift accordingly. S and M gears are typically used in the following situations: 1. Entering or exiting underground parking garages, which usually have a steep and winding slope. When using D gear to enter the garage, the transmission constantly shifts up and down, especially when entering, as the speed tends to increase, requiring frequent braking. Using S or M gear keeps the car in a lower gear with higher torque, making it easier to navigate in and out of the garage. 2. Driving up or down long or steep slopes. Similar to entering a garage, using S or M gear maintains strong power when going uphill and utilizes lower gears to leverage engine braking when going downhill, avoiding frequent braking and preventing brake failure due to overheating. 3. Quick overtaking. Switching to S gear before overtaking or shifting to M gear and downshifting makes the throttle response quicker and more aggressive, allowing faster overtaking at high RPM and speed. 4. Driving on undulating mountain roads or in congested traffic. In these conditions, using D gear requires frequent braking and acceleration, causing the transmission to constantly shift, which can lead to overheating and reduced performance. Using M or S gear keeps the car in a more fixed gear, reducing shift frequency and protecting the transmission's lifespan. 5. Starting on slippery surfaces like rain or snow. The default first gear has higher torque, which can cause wheel spin. Switching to M gear and starting in second gear, which has slightly lower torque, makes it easier to start smoothly.
I've been driving for over a decade and find significant differences between S mode and M mode. S mode stands for Sport mode, where the automatic transmission delays gear shifts, keeping engine RPM higher for more aggressive power output. It's perfect for overtaking or climbing hills with instant bursts of acceleration, though fuel consumption increases due to sustained high RPM. M mode is Manual mode, letting me decide when to upshift or downshift using paddle shifters or the gear lever—especially useful on long descents for engine braking to prevent brake overheating and failure. I use both modes in different scenarios: S mode feels thrilling for highway sprints and offers quick starts in city traffic, while M mode provides better speed control in snowy conditions (though beginners might mis-shift, causing jerky movements). For driving pleasure, M mode mimics manual transmission fun and enhances skills. Overall, the key distinction is that S mode automatically optimizes power, whereas M mode puts full control in your hands.
