Sport Mode and Paddle shift

[Camman475]

I was wondering if anyone could explain to me what the benefit to sport mode is and exactly what it does different than just driving in "D"?

Also, is there a proper way to paddle shift to gain something?
Ex. Performance, gas mileage..etc
Or is the Paddle shift more for the joy of the driver?

[ga0358]

I occasionally use it just for fun, but really found it useful in a recent trip to the mountains...

[Bonanza7]

Originally Posted by ga0358

I occasionally use it just for fun, but really found it useful in a recent trip to the mountains...

[kd4hey]

Try this, with your Camaro in Drive, from a dead stop floor the gas & notice the acceleration, time it if you like.
Then do it again, this time in M. You'll notice a difference.

The "Sport Mode' changes the shift points in the tranny to keep the engine in the power band, while Drive is for standard daily driving.

The shifter paddles do help for quicker acceleration when passing & you downshift just before you hit the accelerator, but mostly they are fun.

That's how I understand it anyway. Any experts care to clarify?

[GearHeadPeter]

I'll use it when I am in traffic that is only going 45 and the car seems to be laboring in 6th gear then I will shift to 4th.

[Sir Nuke]

and since no one mentioned it.....in sport mode you don't HAVE TO use the paddles. once in M, as mentioned above, it will shift like a regular automatic but with the differernt shift points.....but even "on the fly" you can start using them......but once you do, you will need to either continue to use the paddles, or shift back into D, which you can do "on the fly".

[Cmaro214]

though i do drive in sports mode every now and then i barely use the paddles. but thanks to this thread ill open em up for my drive home from school tonight.

[Entaille]

for a lot of drivers, leaving it in 'D' will net the best gas mileage. if you are manually shifting, just shift early in the rpms for mpg efficiency, and don't plant down the gas pedal.

's' mode is more aggressive, it will shifter later in the rpms and provide better performance. again, for a lot of drivers, just throwing it in 'S' mode and stomping it, will net the best performance. using paddle shifters just gives you full control over the shift points and creates more of a manual-without the clutch feeling. more of a fun factor thing then anything else. it's kind of gimmicky. it's useful for keeping full control over the shfiting, downshifting, for road courses to keep it in gear etc.

if you manually shift for a bit and want to put it back into s, just hold down your upshift paddle for a few seconds and you'll see it click back over from manual to 's' mode again.

I think everyone should drive a manual at least a few times, so they have a better understanding of these things.

[Camman475]

Cool, Thanks for all the info. I did notice the "S" gave my car a little more pep. Though I know how to drive a stick and am capable, I've never owned a manual car so have never really learned the proper time to shift for better performance. So when cruising on the freeway, you're saying that backing down to 4th or 5th gear will boost speed to pass? What I'm wondering about that is, If I do that, wont it engine brake and start rapidly slowing down?
I was also wondering why it wont allow me to start in 2nd gear when in M? I would think 2nd gear start would be a great option for driving in the rain to avoid spinning the wheels at a stop light.
Cmaro214... I'm glad this could encourage you to have a little fun with your drive today. I read a thread this morning that sparked the same interest in my driving this afternoon which lead to this post. I found myself not knowing the exact right time to shift so I figured I'd get some expert advise here!

[dr damon]

I think when left in d. It does a second gear start

[Revo1]

Originally Posted by Camman475

I was wondering if anyone could explain to me what the benefit to sport mode is and exactly what it does different than just driving in "D"?

Also, is there a proper way to paddle shift to gain something?
Ex. Performance, gas mileage..etc
Or is the Paddle shift more for the joy of the driver?

That's it. Car seems to shift noticeably stronger via paddleshift, but I doubt there are any real performance gains over "S" mode...

[Camman475]

Originally Posted by dr damon

I think when left in d. It does a second gear start

Do you know how to do that? do you just upshift on the paddle while in Drive?

[Revo1]

Originally Posted by GearHeadPeter

I'll use it when I am in traffic that is only going 45 and the car seems to be laboring in 6th gear then I will shift to 4th.

It's also really handy for slower, winding/hilly roads...

[spoone123]

used them now and then. I don't get on how to down shift them. Cuz RPM jump up high and its kinda scare me.