Question re: drive modes on automatic

[arfabe16]

Normal, Track, and Snow/Wet modes seem fairly self-explanatory... my question is:

What's the difference between just putting the shifter on "S" (i.e., regular Sport mode), switching the toggle to Sport+ with the shifter on "D," and switching the toggle to Sport+ with the shifter on "S"?

I honestly can't tell the difference between any of them, and I've played with each extensively. They all seem to have much more aggressive throttle response than D/Normal mode, and they rev/engine brake a ton in city driving... but they feel exactly the same to me.

Any help would be appreciated! I did search the forums but couldn't find an exact answer.

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[hlh1]

Good question. I never use the toggle switch and just put the shifter in "S" when I feel "sporty" as it's easier and quicker than using the toggle switch. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable will chime in.

 

[Spork3245]

Sport+ affects/changes stability control and a few other things and shifting to S only changes throttle response (according to the manual).

 

[hlh1]

Thanks Spork for reading the manual and sharing.

 

[Ed M]

Thanks Spork for reading the manual and sharing.

You haven’t read the 500+ page manual?

I downloaded the searchable PDF version of the manual. It makes things a lot easier.

 

[hlh1]

I have read the manual a year ago but don't remember everything. The PDF is a good idea.

 

[Spork3245]

You haven’t read the 500+ page manual?

I downloaded the searchable PDF version of the manual. It makes things a lot easier.

I have read the manual a year ago but don't remember everything. The PDF is a good idea.

I skipped the section on towing.

 

[arfabe16]

Sport+ affects/changes stability control and a few other things and shifting to S only changes throttle response (according to the manual).

Thanks! Is there a difference in Sport+ mode when you have the shifter in D vs. S?

 

[Spork3245]

Thanks! Is there a difference in Sport+ mode when you have the shifter in D vs. S?

Shifting to S allows full manual control with the paddle shifters without the transmission’s computer overriding you (*unless RPMs go too low), otherwise I don’t believe there’s a difference.

 

[DickR]

If the car has MagneRide then the damper settings are modified based on drive mode. Also, the default steering setting changes with drive mode but that can sometimes be changed. I say sometimes because my MagneRide car seems to mandate the sport steering option in Sport+ and Track except in normal mode.

 

[sdiver68]

If I designed the car and had my say, S on the transmission would sharpen throttle and hold gears more aggressively. Auto rev matching would be reserved for S+ toggle mode or higher.

 

[hlh1]

Personally I don't get the "rev-matching" in an auto at all.

 

[Spork3245]

If the car has MagneRide then the damper settings are modified based on drive mode. Also, the default steering setting changes with drive mode but that can sometimes be changed. I say sometimes because my MagneRide car seems to mandate the sport steering option in Sport+ and Track except in normal mode.

Yep! I didn’t mention Magneride since the OP has a 17. I personally always have my steering set to sport regardless of mode.

 

[arfabe16]

Yep! I didn’t mention Magneride since the OP has a 17. I personally always have my steering set to sport regardless of mode.

Even in city driving? I find the rev matching and engine braking to be annoying as hell in stop-and-go traffic.

 

[Spork3245]

Even in city driving? I find the rev matching and engine braking to be annoying as hell in stop-and-go traffic.

Yep! I didn’t mention Magneride since the OP has a 17. I personally always have my steering set to sport regardless of mode.

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