What is the S gear in an automatic transmission car?
3 Answers
Automatic transmission S gear is the sport mode, which can also be used for overtaking while driving. Here are some relevant introductions about the S gear: 1. The S gear has three sub-gears, namely 1, 2, and 3. These gears can be switched when the car is overtaking or climbing a hill to obtain greater power. 2. The S gear allows the car to have sufficient driving pleasure like a manual transmission car, but this gear consumes a lot of fuel when in use. It's like the car is constantly stepping hard on the accelerator. The S gear should not be used during startup or high-speed driving. Using the S gear during startup does not significantly increase speed; instead, it may cause speed issues due to gear problems, wasting more power.
I used to frequently use the S gear when driving on mountain roads—that's the sport mode for automatic transmission cars. After switching to S gear, the transmission responds faster, delays upshifting, and keeps the engine RPM at a higher level, giving you instant, more aggressive acceleration. For example, when overtaking or climbing steep slopes, a quick press on the gas pedal sends the car surging forward, making it feel like the power never runs out. But don’t overuse it—it consumes more fuel than the regular D gear, and prolonged high RPMs may accelerate component wear. Every time I go on vacation and drive up winding mountain roads, I rely on S gear to overtake trucks—safe and exhilarating. Remember, switching to manual mode can also simulate a similar effect. I recommend using D gear most of the time and only engaging S gear when you need a burst of power. After using it, check the engine condition to keep your car in good health.
I drive an automatic transmission car to commute, and the S mode is a practical little helper. In traffic jams or when quick response is needed, such as entering a highway ramp, switching to S mode makes the transmission more responsive, the engine less eager to upshift, and acceleration quicker, helping me merge into traffic safely. Essentially, it's a sport mode, suitable for short bursts of acceleration but with slightly higher fuel consumption. On weekends when shopping or taking the family out and encountering uphill starts, using S mode allows the car to climb steadily without needing to floor the throttle. Compared to D mode, S mode may increase the risk of slipping on wet roads in rainy conditions, so I generally only use it on dry surfaces. I've developed the habit of just pressing the button to switch, with no need to worry.
