When to Use S Gear?
4 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.
Last week while driving on the highway and encountering crosswinds, I noticed the car's road-hugging feeling became significantly stronger when switching to S mode! The S mode locks lower gears and delays upshifting, keeping the RPM in the power-rich range, which is particularly suitable for scenarios requiring instant bursts of power. When facing slippery roads or windy conditions, I proactively engage S mode for more stable traction. The ramps at urban expressway entrances and exits are also ideal scenarios for its use, preventing rollback when starting with heavy loads. Personally, I prefer to switch to S mode before entering tunnels, making acceleration out of the tunnel exceptionally smooth. However, I remind myself not to use it too aggressively, as high RPMs accelerate oil consumption, requiring correspondingly earlier maintenance intervals.
When dealing with transmission issues during regular car repairs, the principle of S mode is straightforward: it forcibly keeps the transmission in a lower gear with higher RPM to achieve faster throttle response. This is most suitable for two scenarios: first, rapid acceleration such as overtaking or climbing steep slopes, and second, long downhill sections where engine braking is needed. My driving habit is to shift into S mode before entering mountainous areas to maintain continuous power output. In urban driving, special attention should be paid to the coolant temperature, as the cooling demand increases under high load. Beginners are advised to try it a few times on open roads to adapt to its more responsive nature compared to D mode.
