Sport Mode on my X5...
 

I have a 2006 X5 4.4L ...when I tap my shifter to the left and put it on m/s (sport mode) and not shifting up or down, leaving it on "S" what changes are made to the auto?

I think the program changes. Car computer isnt really worried about gas consumption and focuses on max output so gas will be consumed faster. not too sure what else is changed but i think my gears shift differently and my exhaust sounds a little louder or so. Not sure if this is all in my head but that's just what i noticed.

What it does is like when you're driving a stick, u wanna push it to the highest rpm possible before shifting to the next gear. in step tronic you are in Sport Mode and it wont shift to the next gear unless u step on the gas.. hope this makes sense..

Since the OP asked about S mode, and not M mode, all it does is shift at a higher rpm. That is to say, it holds a gear longer as you accelerate, instead of shifting to the next higher gear. Byproducts of that are that it makes more noise and consumes more fuel.

.... and the delay between pushing the pedal and the acceleration is much less - at least on mine.

Unlike some models (ie my Z4 had a sport button that changed throttle response electronically), throttle response in the X5 doesn't change, but the fact that the engine is often running at a higher rpm in S mode means that it will respond differently when you push the throttle down.

so is there a good time and/or a bad time to be using Sport Mode?

if you don't mind using up allot of gas than.... ITS ALWAYS A GOOD TIME TO USE SPORT :D. have you given it a try b4? its pretty fun

Hi JCL,

interesting. On mine is a huge difference on throttle response between D and S. Most when I accelerate from a stop. So I do not think it is only related to higher RPM.

The sport mode on the transmission doesn't connect to the throttle.

From a standing start, what you experience can be related to which gear the transmission is starting out in.