What is the function of the S gear in an automatic transmission car?
2 Answers
The function of the S gear in an automatic transmission car is: 1. In this mode, the vehicle's power performance is stronger, commonly used for overtaking, uphill driving, long downhill driving, traffic jams, and clearing carbon deposits; 2. The transmission can shift freely. The S gear is the car's sport mode, where the transmission can shift freely, keeping the engine at high RPM for a longer time, allowing the car to drive at low gear and high RPM for an extended period, thus achieving greater torque output and acceleration. The gears of an automatic transmission car are: 1. P gear is the parking gear; 2. R gear is the reverse gear; 3. N gear is the neutral gear; 4. S gear is the sport mode; 5. L gear is the low-speed gear; 6. M gear is the manual gear for manual-automatic transmission models.
I usually enjoy using the S gear when driving, especially when overtaking on highways or driving on mountain roads. S gear actually stands for Sport mode. It delays the transmission's shift timing, keeping the engine RPM in a higher range, which provides stronger acceleration and makes the car more responsive, almost as if the car comes alive. However, prolonged use does increase fuel consumption because higher RPMs consume more fuel. Extended use may also accelerate engine wear, so it's important to use it in moderation. I think using D gear for daily city commuting is sufficient, treating S gear as an extra tool for key moments—it's really handy when needed, but don't rely on it every day, or the fuel costs will hurt.
