What does sport mode really do

[CarveRoad]

I like sport mode when I am stuck in that slow moving stop and go type traffic and the vehicle keeps shifting between 1st and 2nd. Generally keeps it in 1st gear. This is my perspective coming from a lifetime of manual trannys where I have better control.

[TwinsPoppa]

Originally Posted by mrkbbd

It will definitely go all the way to 6th gear, if you're cruising at about 80 in S mode, you'll on be in 5th but past 110 ish it will go into 6th

Oh yeaaaahhh? How would YOU know?!

Hhmmm ... I think I'm gonna have to prove that to myself. Honey! I need to borrow the car ... I just need to run a quick errand!

[chilliwilli]

Originally Posted by mrkbbd

It will definitely go all the way to 6th gear, if you're cruising at about 80 in S mode, you'll on be in 5th but past 110 ish it will go into 6th

...same for the 4.6iS except it tops in 5th gear

[ALOVERR69]

wow this is funny so i will see alot of x5's zoooming by me at 110mph now thats what im talking about.....but thanks everyone for the feed back due to the lack of transmission problems these trucks have i will not be traveling 110mph

[realchef]

from my experiences Schport mode holds the RPM's ABOVE 3k. So when going around corners aggressively, it downshifts to keep the rpm's tight. I have used it a few times on some mountain passes out here and it imitated aggressive shifting with a manual; using the motor to help slow around the corners and maintain a power band for accelerating out of the corner.

Also, it will shift through ALL the gears, just be ready for the last one, you will be moving at a noticeable rate.

Also, Also, in D you can still hit 140+. (I hear)

[X5rolls]

Originally Posted by ALOVERR69

Hey guy's i have a question about sport mode i have the 2005 3.0i sports package.My question is what does the sport mode really do does it change gear ratio does it use only certain gears.When i do use it i notice a difference. But i notice the other day while doing 80MPH. Not that thats safe just was testing sport mode the car was struggeling to jump on to the next gear is that normal.It felt like it had more to offer but the rev was way up there.

p.s. I know most are going to say 80 im already or the car should be on its last gear but it felt like it was struggling it definatley had more to offer.when i shifted back to its regualr mood the car took the next gear

My favorite thing about sport mode is when I'm driving twisty roads quickly. It adapts/learns your driving mode. So approaching a turn at high speed (with it in S mode) hit the brakes late into the turn and the trans will shift down quickly and give you some engine braking - as you continue through the turn it's holding that gear which is also keeping the rpm's up into the power range so as you exit the turn you are already in that band, you hit the gas and throttle response is immediate with lots of torque to pull and push you forward. It's a blast.

[mrkbbd]

Originally Posted by realchef

from my experiences Schport mode holds the RPM's ABOVE 3k. So when going around corners aggressively, it downshifts to keep the rpm's tight. I have used it a few times on some mountain passes out here and it imitated aggressive shifting with a manual; using the motor to help slow around the corners and maintain a power band for accelerating out of the corner.

Also, it will shift through ALL the gears, just be ready for the last one, you will be moving at a noticeable rate.

Also, Also, in D you can still hit 140+. (I hear)

You can hit the top speed in D, when you hit the kickdown button it is the same 100% power in D as it is in S, I think in D kickdown shifts at 6900RPM and in S it goes all the way to 7200

[mrkbbd]

Originally Posted by TwinsPoppa

Oh yeaaaahhh? How would YOU know?!

Hhmmm ... I think I'm gonna have to prove that to myself. Honey! I need to borrow the car ... I just need to run a quick errand!

You're less than 20 miles from me, I'll happily join you

[FSETH]

Originally Posted by mrkbbd

It will definitely go all the way to 6th gear, if you're cruising at about 80 in S mode, you'll on be in 5th but past 110 ish it will go into 6th

I am not sure about your 06 4.8is, but all auto X5's thru 2003 only had 5 gears. Even the 4.6is.

I know my e36 auto has 4 speeds and putting it into sport will only allow you to reach 3rd gear. It never actually goes into fourth. Regardless of how fast you are going. That must be why I typed 3rd gear in the previous post.

It sure seems to me in my 02 4.4 that it holds 4th gear and will not go into 5th regardless of speed if it is in auto/sport mode. If I am going too fast for 4th gear in sport mode on the highway (which has happened ) I typically knock the shifter back to the right to get regular mode and 5th gear. I am going to have to leave it in 4th and see what happens next time.

[mrkbbd]

Originally Posted by FSETH

I am not sure about your 06 4.8is, but all auto X5's thru 2003 only had 5 gears. Even the 4.6is.

I know my e36 auto has 4 speeds and putting it into sport will only allow you to reach 3rd gear. It never actually goes into fourth. Regardless of how fast you are going. That must be why I typed 3rd gear in the previous post.

It sure seems to me in my 02 4.4 that it holds 4th gear and will not go into 5th regardless of speed if it is in auto/sport mode. If I am going too fast for 4th gear in sport mode on the highway (which has happened ) I typically knock the shifter back to the right to get regular mode and 5th gear. I am going to have to leave it in 4th and see what happens next time.

04+ models have a 6-speed, and your car will upshift when you're at a certain RPM in 4th b/c 4th only goes to about 120