How many of you drive in sport mode by default?
#1
How many of you drive in sport mode by default?
So I've had my 3.0 X-Type for a few months now. Over the past week, I've been driving in sport mode exclusively (i.e., pressed the "S" button on the auto transmission). Don't know why I didn't get around to doing it sooner, but the driving experience feels so much better that I want to keep it in sport permanently. Which got me to thinking...
How many of you drive in sport mode by default? Are there any known issues or concerns about leaving the transmission in "S" all the time? Have you noticed significantly worse gas mileage in sport mode? Surprisingly, the onboard computer indicates that I'll actually get slightly better mileage (which seems non-intuitive to me). I haven't yet finished a full tank of gas to verify if that's really the case or not.
How many of you drive in sport mode by default? Are there any known issues or concerns about leaving the transmission in "S" all the time? Have you noticed significantly worse gas mileage in sport mode? Surprisingly, the onboard computer indicates that I'll actually get slightly better mileage (which seems non-intuitive to me). I haven't yet finished a full tank of gas to verify if that's really the case or not.
#2
I drive in sport mode all the time too. All sport mode does is raise the shift points up a bit in the RPM range and allow for a 5th to 3rd downshift when you stomp on it. The difference is most noticable at wide open throttle. It does seem to also shift at a little bit higher MPH into 5th. However I have seen no significant MPG loss or gains.
#3
Yeah, i have it set on all he time, except in winter, and yes u do get bettter gas mileage since the revs are at a high point, you are abble to maintain maxxium power before going into the next gear which cuts down on gas, making theat next gear to help the egine work less, thats my theory anyways
#5
#6
There's no issues with using S in snow. Except you don't really want a faster throttle response when starting in snow or you will just spin your tires. So that's the only reason not to use it.
I wait till my engine is warmed up usually and then switch to S. This way the auto shifts lower so it doesn't rev my engine higher till it is warm.
I wait till my engine is warmed up usually and then switch to S. This way the auto shifts lower so it doesn't rev my engine higher till it is warm.
#7
Thanks everyone! So...better performance, no quirky long-term issues, and improved gas mileage...hmm, tough decision!
I guess it's safer to not use Sport mode in the snow. I recall reading a thread here a while back where one of the techs said that the number one reason he sees transfer cases on the X-Type blow up are the result of high throttle spin of the wheels in slippery conditions, followed by one of the wheels suddenly finding traction and bam! - the transfer case not being able to handle the different forces on the opposing wheels.
I guess it's safer to not use Sport mode in the snow. I recall reading a thread here a while back where one of the techs said that the number one reason he sees transfer cases on the X-Type blow up are the result of high throttle spin of the wheels in slippery conditions, followed by one of the wheels suddenly finding traction and bam! - the transfer case not being able to handle the different forces on the opposing wheels.
Last edited by MattSteele; 05-10-2009 at 11:27 PM.
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Depends on the terrain and situation. 75% of the time I use the sport mode, since I commute through hilly areas and twisty roads. I like the quicker kick-down and the 2.5 isn't exactly a torque monster. But if I am cruising a flatter terrain, like on vacation at the beach, usually just leave it off and conserve a little 93 octane...
#12
I know this thread is old, and I haven't begun my daily driving in sport mode yet, but shifting a bit higher would infact prove to be beneficial, since these cars shift so damn early and lug the motor which actually decreases gas mileage. I'm going to start using sport mode and we'll see what I come up with in the city and I'll compare my highway mileage on my 800 mile return home trip coming up
I'll keep you guys posted!
I'll keep you guys posted!
#13
Good man! I've kept mine in Sport Mode 90% of the time since I started this thread. My car's so much more enjoyable to drive that way. No detrimental effects noted, and gas mileage seems to be on par or slightly better than in non-sport mode.
In my experience, the only thing to be cautious of is not being so assertive with the gas pedal on a cold morning until the engine has warmed up enough. Sometimes, I'll kick into non-sport mode on cold days until the engine has warmed up.
In my experience, the only thing to be cautious of is not being so assertive with the gas pedal on a cold morning until the engine has warmed up enough. Sometimes, I'll kick into non-sport mode on cold days until the engine has warmed up.
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I've switched back and forth over the years. When I ran mostly highway commute (100 miles a day, 90% on 4 lane) I didn't bother to flip it on.
Now I have mostly a back country road commute with some massive hills. I run sport just about all the time, just for the throttle response for kickdown.
I've never noticed any measurable difference in fuel economy between the two selections - I've run both on my current commute. Sometimes I will switch out of Sport when I'm tooling along a flat road in no hurry and I want it to get into top gear but it's holding.....
I actually do more J-gate shifting now than I used too.
Now I have mostly a back country road commute with some massive hills. I run sport just about all the time, just for the throttle response for kickdown.
I've never noticed any measurable difference in fuel economy between the two selections - I've run both on my current commute. Sometimes I will switch out of Sport when I'm tooling along a flat road in no hurry and I want it to get into top gear but it's holding.....
I actually do more J-gate shifting now than I used too.