What is the S gear in a car?
2 Answers
Car S gear refers to the sport mode of the car. In S gear sport mode, the transmission can shift freely, and when shifting again, it will be delayed, keeping the engine at high speed for a longer time. The car will move at low gear and high speed for a longer time, thereby obtaining greater torque output and acceleration. It is usually used for climbing slopes and quick overtaking. The method of shifting gears in car S gear is as follows: 1. Shift the gear to D gear and push the gear lever to the right. At this time, the transmission enters the sport mode; 2. Use the method of pushing the gear lever forward and backward to shift gears. Pushing forward is upshifting, and pushing backward is downshifting; 3. Switch to automatic mode by simply pushing the gear lever to the left to the D gear position to complete the gear shifting.
I've always been a driving enthusiast, and from my over ten years of driving experience, the S gear in a car is essentially the Sport mode. When I switch from D gear to S gear in my beloved car, the transmission deliberately delays the upshift point, allowing the engine RPM to soar higher—say, above 2,500 RPM before shifting—making the throttle response sharper and acceleration incredibly fierce. It feels like the car is injected with adrenaline, surging forward with unstoppable momentum. The advantage is that it provides instant power for climbing steep hills or overtaking on highways, delivering a thrilling driving experience. However, it consumes more fuel because the engine burns more fuel at higher RPMs, and prolonged use may compromise fuel efficiency. I recommend using it briefly only when extra power is needed, such as on winding mountain roads or during track days. For daily city driving, switching back to the regular gear is more practical. Over time, you'll learn to choose the best option for different road conditions.
