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 in sport mode, 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, thereby obtaining greater torque output and acceleration. Situations where the S gear is not suitable include: 1. High-speed driving is not suitable for the S gear, as the S gear is set to downshift for speed increase, which can cause the vehicle speed and RPM to mismatch, increase noise, and raise fuel consumption; 2. Coasting is not suitable for the S gear, as it can cause significant wear to the transmission in a short time.
The S gear is the sport mode for automatic transmission cars. I've tried it while driving an automatic, and the car feels much more powerful. The engine revs higher, and gear shifts are delayed, resulting in faster acceleration, making it super easy when climbing steep hills or overtaking, especially useful when you want to pass quickly on the highway. However, don't use it too often during daily commutes because the engine runs harder, significantly increasing fuel consumption—it's much more fuel-intensive than the normal D gear. Long-term use can also wear out the transmission or components, which isn't worth it. I recommend switching to it briefly only when you need temporary power, such as when driving on mountain roads or in urgent situations, and switching back to D gear afterward to protect the car. Don't rely on it too much while driving; safety comes first. Flexibly shifting gears according to road conditions is the best approach.
