When to Use the S Gear in an Automatic Transmission?

[DeclanAnn]

Automatic transmission S gear is used for climbing hills, quick overtaking, and high-speed driving, as it is the sport mode of the car. The gears in an automatic transmission car include: 1. P gear (Parking gear), used for long-term parking of the vehicle; 2. R gear (Reverse gear), engaged when the vehicle needs to move backward; 3. N gear (Neutral gear), engaged when the vehicle is parked for a short time without turning off the engine; 4. D gear (Drive gear), when the gear lever is placed in D gear, the vehicle will automatically shift gears based on throttle opening and speed data; 5. M gear (Manual mode), when the gear lever is shifted to M gear, gear shifting is done manually by the driver; 6. L gear (Low gear).

[SanAdalynn]

I use the S gear most frequently in my automatic transmission car when I need to accelerate for overtaking. If you want to quickly pass the car ahead on the highway or encounter a long uphill section, switching to S gear keeps the engine at higher RPMs, delivering more aggressive power response—step on the gas, and the car surges forward instantly, unlike the delayed shifts and sluggishness in D gear. It also provides better handling in corners or complex road conditions, keeping the body more stable and reducing skidding. It feels like the car is communicating directly with you—super satisfying. However, I rarely use it during daily commutes; driving in S gear in city traffic is fuel-inefficient, with high RPMs creating noise and placing extra strain on the engine over time. In short, S gear is perfect for occasionally spicing up your driving experience—just don’t overuse it to avoid harming the car and wasting money. But when you need it at critical moments, it’s truly exhilarating.

[Rosa]

As an ordinary commuter who drives every day, I think the S mode is mainly designed to enhance driving responsiveness. For example, when climbing steep slopes, the car tends to lose power. Switching to S mode automatically locks it in a lower gear, increasing engine torque, making the climb smoother and more efficient—it's especially useful for hilly roads near home. Or in emergency situations requiring quick evasive maneuvers, pressing the accelerator yields a much faster response, boosting safety. However, I rarely use it for daily commutes because S mode runs at higher RPMs, burning more fuel—fuel consumption increases by at least 10%—and it's noisier, making long drives exhausting. On the other hand, during weekend outings, driving in S mode on mountain roads makes cornering smoother and enhances the sense of control, brightening the mood. Remember, frequent use of S mode can wear out the transmission, so it's best to enjoy it occasionally.

[DakotaLee]

From a fuel-saving perspective, the S mode typically increases fuel consumption, so it should only be used when necessary, such as when merging onto a highway and needing instant acceleration. Switching to S mode delays the shift points, raising the engine RPM to provide stronger bursts of power, which is especially suitable for overtaking or avoiding obstacles—quicker response enhances safety. However, it causes fuel consumption to skyrocket, making it impractical for daily driving. I recommend using it only in specific scenarios and avoiding overuse for both convenience and environmental benefits.