When to Use S Gear?
2 Answers
S gear is generally used when overtaking. Below are some relevant introductions about the car's S gear: 1. S gear should not be used frequently: Since S gear only delays upshifting without changing other working aspects, it inevitably increases the transmission load in a short time, accompanied by a rise in temperature, which also intensifies wear and tear. Therefore, try not to use S gear for an extended period. 2. Do not engage S gear when starting: Many people like to engage S gear when starting, which actually has the opposite effect on speed improvement. If the car is not carrying heavy items, doing so may delay the speed increase instead.
After driving for over a decade, I've found the most practical scenarios for using the S gear are overtaking and mountain road driving. When overtaking large trucks, shifting into S gear in advance causes the RPM to surge, giving the car more punch to complete the overtaking maneuver easily and avoid prolonged side-by-side driving. It's especially effective on winding mountain roads, both uphill and downhill—preventing sluggishness on ascents and helping to control speed on descents to reduce brake wear. I hardly use it for daily city commuting since maintaining high engine RPM consumes more fuel. If you're looking for a quick thrill, shifting to S gear delivers instant acceleration, but it's not recommended for prolonged use as it's tough on both the engine and transmission. Occasional sport mode is fine, but for everyday driving, D gear is more economical.
