What does sport mode really do
 

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

Sport mode gives you quicker acceleration from a stop or slow moving. Your gears will be allowed to go to a little bit higher RPM then in regular D mode. It is noticeable. This is good for getting on the Freeway since most cars struggle to get up to full speed on the on ramp..

When you put it into sport mode you need to manually upshift the gears don't you?

Two things I'm sure sport mode does:
1. Downshifts for you
2. Uses up more gas

If you simply knock the gear shift to the left, you are in sport mode and it will shift for you. It holds the gears longer (higher RPM) and I am pretty sure that 3rd gear is as far as it will go.

It would generally consume more fuel than standard mode.

Now, if you knock the gear shift to the left to put in sport mode, you can manually shift through the gears by pushing forward or pulling backward on the the gear shift.

From my experience, putting the X in sport mode and manually shifting the gears will give the fastest acceleration.

Just move the shifter to the left and the "S" will appear. It looks like a "5" like fifth gear, but its not. You put in "S" thats sport mode. You don't need to shift anything. Drive like normal. You can manually shift if you want but no need to.

Thanks! I didn't know you can let it shift... need to test that in the Spring.

Cool. I didn't know that it is ok to let it shift for you.... I thought that when it shifted for you it was just a preventative action by the computer.

Yep, as long as you just knock it to the left it will shift for you in sport mode, but be careful because if you bump it up or down when it is to the left (in sport mode) it will think you want to shift manually and hold that gear. As primetime said, the dash should read "S". If it reads a gear #, you are in manual mode and you have to do all the shifting.

It is really simple to figure out if you just go out on your street and mess with it.

K.:thanks: I learn something everyday.

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