What is the purpose of the Civic's S gear?
3 Answers
Civic's S gear is the sport mode, which is suitable for aggressive driving or overtaking. After engaging the S gear, the operating modes of both the engine and transmission will change. When the S gear is engaged, the transmission will remain in lower gears without upshifting, and will only upshift when the RPM reaches the redline zone. Engaging the S gear will increase the engine's RPM, providing quicker power response. However, fuel consumption will also increase because the engine will spend more time in the high RPM range. The Civic is a compact sedan under Honda, featuring a stylish and sleek exterior design with significant changes compared to the previous model, including a hatchback-style appearance. The interior of the Civic is finely crafted, with a fashionable and layered design, rich functional configurations, and comfortable seating.
The Civic's S mode is the sport mode, which I use daily while driving. It makes the transmission more responsive, such as delaying gear shifts when stepping on the accelerator, keeping the RPM at a higher level, making the engine sound more roaring, and delivering stronger power output. The S mode is particularly useful for overtaking on highways or climbing mountain roads—the car zooms out in a flash, feeling much more thrilling than the gentle response of the regular mode. But don't worry, it's not a manual transmission, just a more aggressive automatic tuning. For daily city driving, the regular mode is sufficient, while the S mode can occasionally spice up the driving experience, though it does increase fuel consumption by about half a liter per 100 kilometers. I often remind my friends to check road conditions before using the S mode to avoid wheel slippage on wet or slippery surfaces.
I often use the Civic's S mode on highways. The normal mode is quite smooth, but when switching to S mode (Sport mode), the throttle response becomes lightning-fast, the car accelerates more aggressively, and the engine roars noticeably, giving me full confidence when overtaking. I especially love using it on mountain roads when taking turns—stepping on the gas right after exiting a corner makes the car sprint forward, and overtaking feels effortless and smooth. The downside is slightly increased fuel consumption, and it's not recommended for city traffic jams due to the louder noise affecting comfort. For daily commutes, the normal mode is worry-free, while S mode adds some fun on long drives. Remember, S mode doesn't change the gear ratios but optimizes power delivery, making it perfect for drivers who crave excitement.
