Many modern vehicles now come with several different driving modes. One of them is the sport mode, which usually comes with sports cars alone in the past. Today, drivers can always switch to their preferred mode depending on the situation.
After going through several different social media platforms and car forums, one of the frequently asked questions by people regarding these optional modes is; can they switch to sport mode while driving their modern vehicles?
Generally most cars with various drive modes such as sport mode have designed it to be turned on anytime. This means while the vehicle is in motion or parked. Sport mode typically involves changes in transmission response or even suspension adjustments.
Can You Turn on Sport Mode While Driving?
You may be hesitant to turn on or switch drive modes while your car is in motion. But there is no harm in doing so. The computers are advanced enough to the point where it can adjust on the fly. Making the feature readily available to the driver at a seconds notice.
So don’t be afraid to switch to sport mode while on the highway.
If you want to practice extra precaution and wait until your vehicle has come to a stop. Like at a red light for example, there’s no harm in that either. I find myself doing that just to give the car time to adjust. But it really doesn’t need it.
What Happens When Sport Mode Is Activated
Now that you know that you can always activate the Sport Mode feature when driving your car, the next thing you need to know is how the offering works. What exactly will Sport Mode offer you when you activate it while driving?
Here’s a simple explanation of how the Sport Mode feature works; when you activate the option, it’ll affect your car’s throttle. This component, which controls the flow of fuel into the engine, will become oversensitive. When this happens, it’ll respond quickly to every little action you perform.
That’s not all; the sport mode feature also affects your vehicle’s automatic transmission; it will also become very sensitive. Also, your car’s suspension is greatly affected by the shift in modes.
The bottom line is that shifting to Sport Mode will, no doubt, provide you with tons of fun while driving. However, you need to understand that you can always activate the feature as you want. That’s so because it’s only designed for use during certain driving circumstances, which you can check in the next section of this post.
Roads Where You Shouldn’t Use Sport Mode
Sport mode option isn’t recommended for all driving circumstances.
Driving through a neighborhood for example. There is too many stop and go moments in a neighborhood for the sport mode to make a difference. In fact it might just waste more gas, as the shifting tends to rev higher and shift later.
Good Roads for Using Sport Mode
I like to use sport mode when driving on highways at speeds above 60 mph. What the sport mode allows is for faster acceleration (even when your already at a high speed). So you can make passes quickly and merge onto the highway or interstate much more easily.
The other true benefit is from the change in suspension. This might not be as noticeable while driving unless your on a very curvy road with tight turns. But sport mode can lower a car closer to the ground slightly or tighten the suspension. But It does help on certain roads.
What is the best way to activate Sport Mode?
Activating sport mode is different in every car but most vehicle manufacturers use either a button, dial or through the gear stick.
The buttons are typically located on the center console. Marked sport or “S” or a checkered flag.
How You know Sport Mode Is Activated
Either a notification on your dashboard or a indicator light on the sport mode button or dial. Some vehicles display a brief notification that shows in place of the digital odometer.
Is Driving in Sport Mode Bad for Your Engine?
If anything sport mode effects your cars transmission more so than the engine. The two mains things wear which wear out a transmission are friction and heat. In sport mode your transmission doesn’t shift as quickly, creating less friction and heat.
Driving at lower speeds off highways in sport mode frequently won’t damage your engine. If you plan to drive at higher speeds and accelerate faster then engaging sport mode will be better for your engine and transmission.
High speed driving overall causes excess wear on your vehicle, but engaging sport mode itself isn’t bad for your engine.
What are the Pros and Cons of driving in Sport Mode?
As earlier mentioned, activating the sport mode feature will offer you tons of fun. However, you need to also keep in mind that the option isn’t without its issues. That said, let’s have a quick look at some of the strengths and weaknesses of using the feature below:
Pros
- Increased torque & horsepower
One of the benefits of using your vehicle’s Sport Mode option is that it’ll provide you with increased torque & horsepower. If this happens, you’ll achieve a faster speed and quicker acceleration.
- Stiffer suspension
Your vehicle’s suspension system is engineered to keep the tires on the ground on bumpy roads. This will allow you to have better control over your vehicle. With the Sport Mode feature activated, you’ll have a stiffer and firmer suspension. Of course, you understand what that means for your car.
- Better Steering
You’ll also achieve better and tighter steering when you activate the Sport Mode option in your car. With that, you’ll get quick feedback as to how your wheels are performing.
Cons
One of the few drawbacks of shifting to the sport mode option is that it’ll affect your miles per gallon rating. What does that mean? The sudden increase in power and response rate will make your car engine consume more fuel than expected.