What is the S gear used for in the Lavida Plus?
4 Answers
Lavida S gear is the sport mode. Sport mode: The engine speed increases, and the power output is enhanced. After activating the sport mode, the electronic control unit will raise the engine speed to ensure the vehicle maintains sufficient torque for quick acceleration and braking. Additionally, the car will adjust other settings, such as stiffening the suspension for greater support, increasing throttle sensitivity, boosting engine air intake, and consequently, fuel consumption will also rise. Applicable conditions: Compared to the normal mode, the sport mode provides more power, more aggressive torque output, and more responsive throttle. However, the normal mode is more fuel-efficient. In sport mode, the steering wheel becomes heavier, handling becomes more sensitive, and gear shifts are faster. The sport mode is suitable for climbing hills and overtaking, and it can also be used during high-speed driving. Disadvantages: In sport mode, the transmission load increases, temperatures rise, leading to accelerated wear and tear. Additionally, fuel consumption is also a concern.
I always use the S gear on my Lavida Plus when driving on mountain roads. Its full name is Sport mode, and once engaged, the power is instantly responsive—just a slight press on the accelerator and the car eagerly downshifts, revving up to over 4000 RPM before upshifting. One time when I was in a hurry on the highway, switching to S mode for overtaking felt like driving a completely different car—the throttle response was lightning fast! However, don’t keep it on all the time, as this mode increases fuel consumption by 2-3 liters compared to normal driving, and the engine noise becomes more noticeable. On long descents, you can also manually downshift to utilize engine braking, which helps relieve pressure on the brakes. Just avoid using it in congested city traffic, as the abrupt acceleration and deceleration can feel uncomfortable.
Last year, I tried the S mode in my brother's Lavida Plus, and it was much more fun than the regular D mode. Essentially, it changes the transmission shift logic to keep the engine in a higher torque range. For example, in D mode, the transmission upshifts as soon as the RPM hits 2,000, but in S mode, it waits until at least 2,500-3,000 RPM. The steering wheel's power assist also becomes slightly heavier, making the drive feel more stable. This mode is especially useful for climbing hills with the AC on in summer, but the temperature gauge shows the engine heats up faster than usual, so it's best not to use it for extended periods.
Volkswagen's S-mode design is quite practical. When engaged, it automatically delays upshifts, making the tachometer needle dance more lively than a performer. The transmission program becomes highly spirited, allowing deep throttle inputs to drop two or three gears instantly, rapidly increasing engine speed. On highways encountering slow-moving traffic, switching to S-mode makes overtaking decisively swift. However, higher revs noticeably amplify engine noise, and high-frequency steering wheel vibrations become palpable. It's best to avoid frequent use during the break-in period—the manual explicitly recommends avoiding sport mode for the first 1,500 kilometers.
