I know the Sport mode changes the shift points(and uses more fuel), but what else does it do?

 

It modifies the shift points and throttle response profile. Nothing else, no changes to the suspension.

 

It doesn't go into 6th gear at any point, until the cruise it set and then it uses 6th gear.

 

Not sure about that--maybe was programmed differently on early models, but I am 100% certain my car goes to 6th gear in sport mode. It's a delayed upshift, but it does not stay in 5th gear on the interstate.

 

Mine does too at freeway speeds.

 

Yeh ... it will ultimately shift up to 6th if you hold a steady speed for some time. The way to show it is to engage cruise control so that it goes up to 6th and then very gently ease the throttle open to increase the speed, which disengages the c.c., ... and it'll stay in 6th.

 

If this is the ZF 6HP26 then it learns (adapts) so one person's experience can be at odds with another's. E.g. if you drive it like you stole it all the time it'll be reluctant to go to 6th (unless you select cruise).

 

I assumed my car would go to 6th automatically at highway speed but have never checked.

I am going on a 450 mile treck tomorrow so will check suggestions out to see what happens on my car.

Also check mpg as this will be first long trip since I had my SC modified.

As usual will use Shell Vpower 93 most of the way.

 

Again, if it's the 6HP26 then there are special maps for cruise control that apparently improve mpg - if you care.

I'm working on the basis that you "just like" that fuel so won't do more than wonder.

 

Of the different 93 Octane fuels I have tried here I get the best results from Shell V power 93.

There is no higher Octane fuel available near here.

Using 93 Octane from the local grocery store I get significantly worse mpg figures. Maybe more ethanol in the mix?

I want to get a remapping done when I move up to MA but do not know of any place, here or up there that does that.

 

At 75 mph engaging cruise made no difference to revs. Disengaging made no difference.
At same speed moving from drive to 5th revs increased.

This was all with sport mode off.

So my car automatically goes in to 6th when cruising at 75.

On this 450 mile trip I averaged 25.7 mpg according to the computer chip.

Thats with a full load of "stuff" in bins including heavy tools.

 

You're very right about this--when I drive in sport mode it ends up learning to shift earlier. So after a day or two of traffic it was shifting into 6th gear pretty much like it would in normal mode. (Now I just use normal mode and forget about it).