sport or winter mode on automatic gearbox?

[tractorboy]

What are the benefits from using the "s" or "w" modes on a automatic gear box, I do 200 miles per day and am looking for a economical mode, is there a difference in the perfomance in using these.

 

[JEZ.S320L]

What are the benefits from using the "s" or "w" modes on a automatic gear box, I do 200 miles per day and am looking for a economical mode, is there a difference in the perfomance in using these.

S = Summer, not Sport.

Anyway, I've used both and not really noticed any difference with fuel consumption whatsoever.

I daresay that others will say differently. Let's wait and see..........

 

[Mr Teddy Bear]

In W the box starts off in 2nd gear designed for German snow laden winters!

 

[GeorgeA]

What are the benefits from using the "s" or "w" modes on a automatic gear box, I do 200 miles per day and am looking for a economical mode, is there a difference in the perfomance in using these.

On my car it is C for comfort and S for standard. I find in C mode it is fractionally more economic as the car starts in second; moreover is less inclined to downshift when picking up speed. If you want economy then leave in W mode and see how it goes. HTH

 

[cyps]

What are the benefits from using the "s" or "w" modes on a automatic gear box, I do 200 miles per day and am looking for a economical mode, is there a difference in the perfomance in using these.

i was led to believe s is for standard and w for wet


however w offers better economy for me but i have a fuel card so dont use it much

 

[rf065]

In my experience,

S = Standard
C = Comfort

In S, the car always tries to drop down to the lowest gear on slow roundabouts or going over speed bumps etc. In C it is much more relaxing as it is happy to stay in a higher gear in these circumstances. Because of this & the fact that in S it will rev higher in each gear before changing up, then C must be more economical, even if only slightly. C also starts from 2nd gear, a must if driving in icy or snowy conditions. It has also been put forward that if you have ASSYST, driving in C will get you more miles between services, not sure if that is true though.

Downside to driving in C is if you want instant acceleration or want to drive in a sporty manner, then only S will do.

Personally speaking, I switch between the two depending on what I feel I need from the car at any given time, it is no great hassle to switch over at any time.

Russ

 

[Blobcat]

It depends upon the car and the year as to what the letters mean. It is listed in the manual for you car and will probably be Winter & Standard. I find it depends a little on the engine as to what is better for fuel economy. I tend to leave it in C (W) on mine as I don't need the yellow idiot light illuminating all the time when setting off and it changes up earlier so saving the environment...

 

[David Nock]

S for me in CLK 270 CDI. I try C about once a year and immediately go straight back into S because of slow getaways. Consumption is in the 40's over a full 3 and a half year period (54mpg is the record down into Cornwall), so I'm a happy boy.

 

[jberks]

I do find that C is more economical than S. Its worth 2-3mpg.
S is more responsive, both starting in a lower gear and with a sharper throttle response, C much sloppier plus, running in 2nd, it requires less throttle inputs in traffic. Possibly due to the slower throttle response, there is less fuel wasted.
I tend to leave in C when in stop/start but when I know I'm going to need a quick getaway, I flick it into S.

 

[Xacraf]

W is the more economic

W basically slows down the transmission and throws it into higher gears so that you get lower gas consumption. From personal experience, summer mode is significantly more fun to drive in, but I can almost see the gas tank line move....
With winter mode, I can get almost a month of light driving. With summer mode, I'm lucky to push a week or two.

 

[bembo449]

leave mine in W most of the time and use tiptronic when the need arises , simples

 

[television]

On many cars the owners can find little difference between the S and the W mode, re the fuel consumption, in my CL the S sport mode also tightens up the suspension. As I have some longer runs coming up shortly I will try it in both.

 

[L John]

I dare say the difference in MPG is just as likely to be a change in the drivers throttle control when using the different modes.

Once in top gear at a steady speed, both modes will be identical.
Mine goes into top gear around 55 to 60mph during cruise control.

 

[JEZ.S320L]

 

[L John]

Oh dear, did you not realise before clicking the thread?
There was a clue in the title

 

[television]

Its a no win for some members, they are encouraged to do a search, when the do they get slated for opening up an old thread.