What happens when I put the shift lever in S? And how does this differ from what happens in dynamic mode? What about putting it in S and using dynamic mode? It's a bit confusing.

 

Yes I've been wondering that too. In sport mode you get a noticeable change in how long it holds a gear before changing and it also waits longer before going back to D when you use the paddle shifters.

I think the main difference with dynamic mode is that it changes the suspension settings as well but not sure what happens when you use them both together.

 

Completely separate and unrelated. Sport just changes when gears change. In Sport mode gears don't change until higher RPMs, revs are held longer, etc.

Dynamic mode changes things like throttle response, steering feel, suspension.

 

When you are in sport mode the car gets stiffer and you shift with the paddles, when you add dynamic mode the throttle, shifting, and suspension all get enhanced. I can feel the difference in the throttle speed as well as the car gets even stiffer. Check it out in your manual. Hope this helps.

 

No, Tar1018, that's not an accurate description. You sort of contradict yourself there - the car can't "get stiffer" without changing the suspension which is what you (correctly) describe as happening in Dynamic.

Shift is correct in his description of the difference.

Also, in Sport mode, you don't HAVE to shift with paddles. It will auto shift (but holds gears longer) until you hit a paddle, then it goes to manual mode after that.

 

You also don't have to shift with paddles in dynamic, however if you start using paddles it will let you exceed the redline without overriding you if you don't shift, whereas in Sport it will override you.

 

Just an FYI - holding both paddles for a few seconds shifts it back to auto shifting if you've been using the paddles.

I have mine set so the paddles are disabled unless I'm in sport.

 

don't think it needs to be both paddles. I hold down the up shift for a couple of seconds to put it back in auto mode. that way no chance of down shifting into lower gear.

 

I believe this resets to auto by just holding the right paddle for 3 seconds.
Not sure the left paddle does the same, so holding both may be extraneous.

 

Thanks, guys. I'd been wondering about that. I'd been clicking the gear stick back to D to get it back to Auto, which always struck me as clumsy.

Nice to know.

 

Interesting. Haven't tried the single paddle, my manual says to hold both.

 

I am still somewhat confused. I understand that Sport only effects the transmission and Dynamic will effect engine (throtttle response), exhaust, transmission, steering, suspension according to presets.

By trial and error this is what I have found.

I preset Dynamic to only effect exhaust, engine, and transmission since for normal aggressive driving around town I don't want stiffer suspension or quicker steering. It seems to wok quite well, power is there all the time, and it doesn't hold the gears too long when just using the automatic mode.

If I don't use Dynamic and really get on it, it sometimes has to downshift 2 gears and all I get is two black lines behind me and the smell of rubber. Dynamic seems to let me roll on all the power I want with more control; however, the downside is less mileage .

Sport seems to hold gears too long unless I am using paddles or sequential shifter. Then it works fine.

So if I want stealth mode and mileage I use normal Drive. If I want to be more aggressive I use Dynamic, and if I want to play with the gears I use Dynamic w/Sport.

I'm not sure I am doing it right but it works for me.

 

See item 3 in this clip from the 2015 Quick Start Guide...

 

I think they changed it from my 2014.

 

That's exactly the way my '14 works, built in 10/13.

 

Sport mode only changes the shift logic (holds gears to higher rpm before shifting, stays in a lower gear whenever possible).

Dynamic mode changes throttle response, steering weight, suspension stiffness (in V6S, V8S and R cars), gives faster gear shifts, and activates the active exhaust (when equipped).

These two modes also change how you can use the paddles.

In drive+manual: allows for manual shifts using paddles, but times out back to automatic after 60 seconds. Also will revert back to automatic if you are bouncing off the rev limiter without shifting.

In sport+manual: allows for manual shifts and does NOT revert back to automatic after 60 seconds. However, this mode will still revert back to automatic if you are bouncing off the rev limiter without shifting.

In sport+dynamic+manual: allows for manual shifts and does NOT revert back to automatic after 60 seconds, and will NOT revert back to automatic if you are bouncing off the rev limiter without shifting. This is a true manual mode with no override.

 

I do like the fact that when coming to a stop in sport+dynamic+manual, it will automatically downshift to avoid stalling. Does a good job, and ends up in 2nd, which is fine for most starts. Mileage is quite a bit worse, so I don't use sport+dynamic+manual all the time.

 

Ahhh...thinking back to the old days when you could select performance or economy with a mere flick of the wrist and stab of the throttle (and no computer science degree or volumes of operating manuals required). But wait.....

 

Dynamic Mode changes the steering suspension and exhaust. Sport mode lowers the gear change thresholds. VERY noticeable change in acceleration, revving noise etc. You get alot more drama in Sport Mode. I even like it in town because I get more engine breaking as I approach stop lights.
Marc

 

To be clear, dynamic mode does affect the gear shift. In the custom Dynamic-I menu you can set gear shift to dynamic or normal. Then Sport mode in the transmission is another mode that affects the gearing.