AT Sport Mode - What does it do exactly?
 

What does the Sport Mode button do in the AT? I know that it holds lower gears for longer when in D, but does it do anything else?

The reason I ask is because my car is in M mode 95% of the time, and I have been pressing that Sport mode button because I thought there may be a benefit to throttle response or maybe result in faster shifts.

So, what does it do?

From what I understand it's only useful in D mode. I usually leave mine in M as well and haven't noticed a different between Sport On / Sport Off. Sometimes it feels like there is a quick response / shift but I think that's just me...

What Sport seems to do while in D mode:
Holds gears longer during acceleration, less upshifting
Hard breaking (like before a corner) will result in downshift / gear hold to let you power out of turn
Shifts faster

Let me take it on the short track at Dakota County early next month and I could give you an idea of what it does.

I believe it improves throttle response but not 100% sure...
I've spent a lot more time in manual mode recently and it is really fun... it really is like having a manual without the clutch

Thanks please let me know if you notice a difference. In the meantime I think I'll be driving with Sport on. :burnrubber:

From my exp it seems to keep the motor about 800RPM higher for any given speed. This seems to keep it up in the powerband more from my exp.

You're talking about Drive mode, correct?

Yeah.

The manual says it doesn't do anything in Manual mode, but I normally drive mine in manual mode and it feels like the shifts are firmer when sport mode is on vs. off so I always hit the sport and VSC sport buttons.

Quicker shifts. Holds gear longer. Will have no effect in manual mode. Just like snow mode will have no effect in manual mode(assuming you can pick 1st gear).

Ok thanks for all the replies. This confirms what I thought initially.
:thanks:

So Im curious......how's the gear transition in the Automatic? Smooth like butter, or is it like any other Auto not a DSG?

It's very quick. I rarely find myself needing to bump it. It will rev-match downshifts. In Sport mode it's positively maniacal. Someone used to Camry-like autos would probably find it scary in Sport mode, honestly.

It's not quite DSG-level, but it's damn close. It's worlds better than my tC's auto and it utterly embarrasses the MX-3s slushbox.

Thats the exactly how I felt when I test drove and tried the sport button. I somehow even felt the suspension more firm :iono: but it could be my mind playing tricks.

So far I've notice when I'm in sport mode D, it up shifts at a higher rev and it does match rev down shifting when you are braking from a high rev. It works great!

I cant decide whats more fun, driving in M mode or D with sport mode on....any thoughts?

Feeling lazy? Switch to Sport Mode D; Feeling bored? Manual Mode :D

i wonder if gas mileage is affected while in manual mode? do you HAVE to be
in (d) mode to get the 34 miles per gallon?

Yes, it almost has to affect it negatively..stays in lower gears longer...higher revs...but well worth it!
I wish it was in sport mode as default and you had to put it in "eco" mode when desired. I get tired of pushing the button every time I get in the car.
AND when you use cruise control it automatically shuts off but they should have programmed it to turn back on after cruise is turned off.

I think you need a team of reindeer pulling the car with the motor off to actually get 34 mpg...

I would love to see how bad the effect really is on fuel consumption. I think I'll need to do a few test tanks with and without the sport mode engaged 100% of the time.

I have sport engaged about 50% of the time, and drive approximately 60/40 (traffic/hwy) driving. I average about 26.5 mpg right now.

If it's not too bad, I'll keep it on all the time. The car is so much more responsive in sport mode, and actually feels safer to me (when I have to make a quick pass or evasive maneuver.

yes! not trying to be cute,but this is what i thought as well. "holds" shift points longer electronically,thus affecting gas mileage!..was wondering if guys can chime in,and indicate WHAT kind of gas mileage you are experiencing in the '"sport",and manual modes?..also,it's good to know it reverts to "drive" mode when in cruise control!

ehe! he! he! doesn't surprise me,as the gearing is still compromised on the
performance side!

yes! this would be great! i think there is enough interest for you to do that!
i'm curious as hell,because maybe the "stick" can get close to what the "slush"
box can achieve in gas mileage while the slush is in the sport,and manual modes!..just sayin'

I have regularly gotten 34 mpg while doing 70-75

one can assume you are in "drive" mode on cruise?

Pretty sure you can only be in drive mode on cruise.

Yes, this is true...sport mode is turned off as soon as cruise control is set.
...and I regularly get 34mpg...80% hwy back and forth to work...75 mph avg speed

ok! since you didn't mention the other two modes,i assumed that! have you gotten better than 34 on an extended trip?

since you mentioned cruising at 75,i guess you would do better if ya cut it back to say 65,or even 60! have you driven these speeds on cruise?..if so,what "true" mileage were you seeing!?

I haven't taken an extended trip yet, and I've never had the cruise control on.

Ha! I managed to average 43 MPG going to NC and back and my normal day to day driving around town keeps me in the 28-30 range easily. All depends on how "spirited" you drive.

ok! kewl! just wondering if it can get consistently better than 34 while keeping it at 60,or 65 on the highway!

what "speed" were you traveling when you got 43?

Yes it has moments but in NJ traffic I never see it often. According to the car I average 27 combined which ain't too shabby.

It is fair to assume that 60 or 65 would be more efficient and would probably net 37 or so mpg but almost impossible to drive on MA 495 at those speeds without getting run over. ;)

not for me,i do it every day in my civic,but sure, i get passed regular!
don't bother me,that's what the OTHER two lanes are for!.i guess my time's comin', but i aint got run over yet!
ehe! he! he!..

Spent most of the time between 65-70 MPH. Never used cruise control.

Edit: Pic here

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showp...postcount=7242

Sport mode, no cruise. But doesn't matter which mode at 75.

Two green lights = faster shift times