As a driver, if you are looking to experience a more responsive performance from your car, you might want to use the Sport Mode feature on your vehicle. It is very common in modern vehicles in the market today.
Sport mode enhances a vehicle’s handling by enabling a faster throttle response, making steering more sensitive, and allowing the engine to wind out gears more between shifts. These changes optimize the vehicle’s performance and driving experience.
However, not everyone knows how to use sport mode or even how to activate it properly. So let’s take a deeper look at sport mode!
What is Sport Mode and What Does It Do?
This mode provides the car with a faster throttle response. This, in turn, makes the car active a more hair-trigger response which boosts performance making for a more thrilling ride.
However, the Sport Mode affects different components of a vehicle differently. Let’s take a look at a few of these in more detail!
1. Increases Throttle Responsiveness and Acceleration
The engine gets more gas with less travel on the gas pedal. This works when a modification is made to the Engine Control Module (ECM).
When there is more gas, the engine can generate more power and increase the power it distributes.
The Sport Mode makes the gas pedal feel more responsive and opens the throttle faster, making the engine more responsive.
2. It Tightens up Steering
When the vehicle is in Sport Mode, the steering is more sensitive. Because of this, the driver doesn’t need to exert a lot of effort to turn the vehicle.
This makes driving more exhilarating for both passengers and the driver.
3. Increases Engine Revs and Slows Down Gear Shifting
Here, there are more shifts in the transmission because of the Sport Mode.
The transmissions are automatic, which means earlier downshifts. This means that the transmission can hold higher engine revs for extended periods of time.
4. Stiffens the Suspension
When the suspension is loose, your vehicle can accommodate the changes to your car’s ground clearance so that the occupants don’t feel any read blemishes, making for a smoother ride.
This mode, however, tightens the suspension of the vehicle for a more “sport-like” experience. It enhances the tire grip and lowers the body roll, transferring the vehicle’s weight to the outside of a turn.
This article discusses what the Sport Mode does and some of its pros and cons to a vehicle. Read on to understand when to use the Sport Mode and its effects on your vehicle long term.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Driving in Sport Mode?
Advantages of Sports Mode
1. Increased Power and Torque
If you want to experience how it feels to drive a sports car in your sedan, you can do so with the touch of a button.
Sport Mode will boost your vehicle’s power and torque which means faster speeds and quicker acceleration.
2. Increased Acceleration
The higher the torque your vehicle produces, the faster it will pick up speed while driving. In other words, it will lower the acceleration time.
3. Stiffer Suspension
Some vehicles come fitted with adjustable suspension, which can be changed depending on the ground clearance and ride height you want. When Sport Mode is activated in such cars, the suspension is firmer and lower in some instances.
This lowers the vehicle’s center of gravity and body rolls, enabling the car to maneuver high-speed corners. You will sacrifice comfort in this instance.
4. Better Throttle Response
When the Sport Mode is engaged, the response and feel of the throttle become very apparent. A small input to the throttle pedal will yield immediate results.
5. Tighter Steering
With suspension changes, as explained above, the vehicle’s handling in Sport Mode improves as well.
You will have responsive control over the steering and the wheel changes. This is especially important on windy roads, back roads, or a track.
6. Shifting at Higher RPMs
The use of Sport Mode in automatic vehicles overrides its setting to shift at a lower RPM. This increases the vehicle’s general performance by increasing shifts to a higher RPM.
Disadvantages of Sports Mode
1. Less comfortable rides
This mode tightens up the suspension, which allows you to feel the road when you are steering and accelerating.
While the vehicle is faster, the drive isn’t comfortable because you can feel the bumps, potholes, gravel, etc., on the road.
2. Uses More Fuel
You will use more fuel because the engine requires more energy to power the extra work with the sports mode.
This lowers the vehicle’s fuel economy. Avoid this feature if you want to spend less on fuel.
3. Faster Wear On Components
Because of the aggressive response demanded from your vehicle in this mode, most parts are over-exerting themselves.
This means parts like the engine, steering, transmission, and suspension will wear faster compared to a similar vehicle not using this model.
You will spend more time at an auto repair shop repairing and replacing parts because when you overuse this mode.
4. Shorter Engine Life
Most manufacturers know that car owners will use this mode and make strong engines to handle the extra stress.
However, the additional strain that the Sport Mode will place on the engine will considerably lower the engine’s shelf life than one that doesn’t use this mode.
When to Use Sport Mode
Sport Mode, like the cruise control, can be activated by a button toggle or a switch. You can use this feature when cruising on a highway if you are looking for a more engaging feel.
If you want to enjoy the Sport Mode, you can engage it when driving on the road with more bends or a race track.
If you are in stop-and-go traffic, which means the speed you are using is low, you should use the Eco Mode.
Vehicles That Have Sport Mode
Many modern vehicles come equipped with this feature. It’s not just limited to sports cars only because SUVs and sedans today are manufactured with this feature.
You can quickly identify a vehicle with Sport Mode capabilities through names such as “turbo,” “GT,” “sport,” and “GTI.
The following are just a few vehicles with this feature:
- BMW 3 Series
- Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road
- Cadillac CTS-V
- Ford Fiesta ST
- Honda Accord 2.0T
- Dodge Challenger
- Land Rover Range Rover Supercharged
- Volkswagen Golf GTI
- Volvo V60 Polestar
- Subaru WRX
- Chevrolet SS
Popular vehicle manufacturers that use the Super Mode feature on most of their products include:
- Honda
- Ford
- BMW
- Audi
- Dodge
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is It Bad to Drive in Sport Mode?
When you leave your vehicle on Sport Mode, your miles per gallon rating will go down. This means that it will suddenly require more fuel to support the extra power your vehicle needs. It might not seem like a lot at first; eventually, the cost will add up.
Does Sports Mode Give You More Horsepower?
No. It doesn’t give your vehicle more horsepower. It, however, creates a more sport-like experience when you drive your vehicle. You will feel the vehicle when it turns or accelerates.
Can You Put a Car in Sport Mode While Driving?
Yes, you can, and technically you can drive in this mode all the time. However, it’s not recommended because your vehicle will consume more fuel. You can use this mode if you are driving on a highway where you will not encounter any stop-and-go traffic.
Does Sport Mode Use More Gas?
Sport Mode-Equipped Cars have impressive capabilities such as increased horsepower and torque and faster acceleration. These features stressed the engine, which ultimately requires more fuel to operate. Because of this downside, the Sport Mode is a feature that you can choose to turn on and off.
Does Sport Mode Help in the Snow?
It’s recommended that you don’t use this feature while driving in the snow. Snow causes resistance hence why most manufacturers recommend that you use the all-wheel-drive model. This will allow the engine to distribute power to all four wheels, providing much-needed control and traction in snowy weather conditions.
Does Sport Mode Make Your Car Louder?
This will depend on your vehicle’s make because this mode will enhance the sound coming from the exhaust, e.g., Subarus. Other vehicles are designed to create more engine noise inside the cabin when the car is in this mode. This is because the wider the throttle is open, the louder it gets.
Bottom Line
If you want to experience the full capability of your vehicle, you might want to try the Sport Mode. However, it’s essential to know that not all sports modes offer similar results. It will depend on the make and size of your vehicle.
If you have a small vehicle like a mini cooper, you will experience faster acceleration and faster response when switching on the Sport Mode. However, bigger heavy luxury vehicles like the Hyundai Equus might have a different experience because it wasn’t really built to feel sporty.
It would be best if you also kept in mind that it’s not recommended to keep your vehicle in Sport Mode at all times because it reduces your fuel economy and can lead to faster wear of your car’s components. Enjoy this feature but in moderation.
