Sport Mode: What Is It?
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More and more vehicles are now allowing drivers to tune driving characteristics to their specific preferences.
One of the most popular driving modes is known as Sport Mode. Currently, Sport Mode is available in a variety of different vehicles from many top auto manufacturers.
Here’s a look at what this performance-focused driving mode offers.
Table of Contents
What is Sport Mode?
If you are looking to get more performance out of a vehicle, then you may have been intrigued by something called Sport Mode. So what is it?
By its simplest definition, Sport Mode is a mode that gives the vehicle a quicker throttle response. The result is a more hair-trigger response from the vehicle that provides better performance and a more thrilling ride.
Here’s a look at how Sport Mode affects each part of the vehicle.
Engine
The engine will receive more gas with less travel on the gas pedal. This is done by a modification of the Engine Control Module or ECM. With more gas, the engine is able to increase its power output.
Steering/Handling
In Sport Mode, the steering becomes more sensitive. Therefore, it doesn’t take much movement from the wheel in order to get the vehicle to turn. This can create a more exhilarating ride for the driver and the passengers.
Transmission
The transmission will experience quicker shifts in Sport Mode. With an automatic transmission in sport mode, the transmission will downshift earlier and hold higher revs for longer periods of time.
Suspension
Sport Mode will tend to tighten up the suspension on most vehicles. This will create a more “sport-like” ride on the vehicle. The vehicle’s occupants will be able to feel more responsive from the vehicle’s accelerations and turns.
Does Sport Mode Give You More Horsepower?
Sport Mode doesn’t give the vehicle more horsepower. Instead, it provides more fuel for the engine and makes adjustments to the transmission to provide a quicker response and higher revs in a selected gear.
When Should I Use Sport Mode?
You should use Sport Mode when you want to have a more engaged feel with the road. Also, Sport Mode will be more ideal for highway driving or back road driving. Sport Mode will not be the best idea for stop-and-go traffic since you will be using more fuel and not be able to really enhance the vehicle’s performance.
For stop-and-go traffic and travel at lower speeds, Eco Mode is the way to go.
Downsides of Sport Mode
While Sport Mode can be an attractive feature for many drivers, there are some downsides to using it:
1. Less Ride Comfort
If you are looking for a comfortable ride, you don’t want to engage the Sport Mode. That’s because it will tighten up the suspension and give you more road feel when accelerating and steering.
2. More Fuel Usage
Sport Mode pours more fuel into the engine with less travel on the gas pedal. That will decrease fuel economy. If you are looking to spend more time away from the fuel station, you will want to avoid Sport Mode.
3. More Wear on Vehicle Parts
Sport Mode provides for a more aggressive response from your vehicle. This is going to provide fast wear on your vehicle’s engine, transmission, steering, and suspension parts. Therefore, you will have to be prepared to replace these parts more often.
Popular Manufacturer Sport Modes
BMW
BMW may be best known as a top-performance luxury automaker. The company’s Sport Mode takes full advantage of the vehicle’s superior handling and suspension. The result is that the BMW can give drivers some of the most thrilling rides on the road.
Dodge
Dodge is known for putting lots of horsepower in their vehicles at an affordable price. Dodge provides a Sport Mode that enhances the acceleration on their top models, including the Challenger, Charger, and the Durango. With Dodge’s Sport Mode, the exhaust is notably louder and maintains higher RPMs.
Ford
When you engage the Sport Mode on a Ford vehicle, you will be able to fully engage the vehicle’s paddle shifts for quicker shifts. The transmission will change its algorithm to hold gears longer at higher RPMs.
Audi
With Audi’s Sport Mode, the vehicle will boost driving dynamics by setting shift points later. This will allow you to get more RMPs from each gear and provide a more hair-trigger response from the transmission.
Honda
While Honda is not known as a performance vehicle company, the automaker provides a Sport Mode design for more fun driving rather than aggressive driving. Honda’s Sport Mode is usually located at the rear of the gear shifter and will instantly stiffen the suspension and allow the engine to run a little faster.
Top Models with Sport Mode
Subaru WRX
The Subaru WRX is known as one of the most popular rally cars on the road. The vehicles’ Sport Mode creates a truly aggressive driving experience that makes the most of the performance sedan’s powerful engine and all-wheel-drive system.
Volkswagen Golf GTI
The Volkswagen Golf GTI is the popular “hot hatch” that is designed to give you lots of performance in a small package. With the Sport Mode engaged, the GTI gives you a “Pocket rocket” feel with enhanced acceleration and a better feel for the road.
Cadillac CT5 V-Series
Cadillac has always been known for lots of power and a smooth ride. Recently, the automaker has provided a responsive Sport Mode to create a mode-engaged driving experience. The best example of Sport Mode in a Cadillac lies with the CT5 V-Series. This small performance luxury sedan packs quite a response in Sport Mode.
BMW 3 Series
For decades, the BMW 3 Series has been seen as the best small luxury performance sedan. With Sport Mode engaged, the 3 Series gives you even better handling and acceleration responses.
Dodge Challenger
The Sport Mode in the Dodge Challenger is designed to give you a louder exhaust note and faster acceleration along with quicker shifts. If you are looking to get “blown away” by a vehicle’s Sport Mode, then the Dodge Challenger is your best bet.
