What is the function of the S gear in Mondeo?
3 Answers
S stands for SPORT, meaning the sport mode. Below are the detailed introductions of car gear positions: 1. P gear is the parking gear: When the gear lever is in the P position, the transmission is in neutral, but the output shaft is mechanically locked. At this time, the car will stop in place even without stepping on the brake, generally used for long-term parking. When engaging the P gear, the car must be completely stationary. Do not engage the P gear before the car comes to a complete stop, and always apply the handbrake. When parking on a slope, first apply the handbrake and then engage the P gear. 2. R gear is the reverse gear: When the gear lever is in the R position, the rotation direction of the transmission output shaft is opposite to that of the engine, allowing the car to move backward. When engaging the R gear, the car must be completely stationary. Do not engage the R gear before the car comes to a complete stop. 3. N gear is the neutral gear: When the gear lever is in the N position, the gears inside the transmission are idling, and the clutch is not engaged, resulting in the minimum load on the transmission. The N gear is generally used for short-term parking, such as waiting at a red light, and the transmission should also be in the N gear when the car is being towed. 4. D gear is the driving gear: When the gear lever is in the D position, the gears inside the transmission automatically switch between the lowest and highest gears according to factors such as vehicle speed and throttle opening, based on the preset shifting pattern. In most cases, the D gear can be used for driving.
The S gear is the sport mode, and I absolutely love using this gear when driving my Mondeo. Normally, the D gear feels a bit sluggish, but switching to S gear is like waking up a sleeping lion. Last time I tried it on mountain roads, I clearly noticed that the transmission delays shifting, keeping the RPM around 3000. The best part is when climbing steep slopes—it doesn’t foolishly shift up and down frequently, and the throttle becomes super responsive. However, fuel consumption does increase, so it’s best not to use it in city traffic jams. Highways or mountain roads for overtaking are where it truly shines. Once, during an emergency maneuver, I suddenly hit the gas, and the S gear responded astonishingly fast—it felt half a beat quicker than normal mode. But a word of caution for new drivers: don’t just casually shift to S gear for reckless speeding. It wastes fuel, strains the car, and isn’t safe, especially on slippery roads where it’s easy to lose traction.
When shifting the Mondeo into S mode, you can feel the entire car's character change, as if it truly understands the driver's intentions. I've observed the transmission logic—it stubbornly holds onto lower gears without upshifting, keeping the revs constantly within the powerband. I remember once overtaking a large truck on the highway; the throttle response was immediate, a world apart from the sluggishness in normal drive mode. However, keeping this mode engaged long-term really guzzles fuel—with the AC on in summer, the fuel gauge visibly plummets. It's also quite handy for steep underground garage ramps, automatically using engine braking to control speed without constant brake pedal use. Recommended for occasional overtaking bursts, not as a daily driving mode.
