Sport mode explained

You may have noticed that your automatic or automated manual (DSG) transmission has an 'S' on the gearshift indicator or a Sport button near it.

This is Sport mode – also occasionally named 'Dynamic' mode by companies like Jaguar Land Rover. It turns your mild-mannered car or SUV into something more like a sports car. It's like having a manual vehicle without the fuss of using a clutch or rowing though the gears.

With low fuel consumption and emissions a priority for car makers, automatic transmissions in Drive are programmed to shift up to a higher gear as soon as possible and often need a heavy prod on the accelerator to shift down to a lower gear. They also tend to upshift a little earlier than ideal in D, even when the accelerator is pressed to the floor.

Many automatics without Sport mode have 'intelligent' shift programming; that is, several sensors are employed to let the transmission know that you require quick acceleration or when you need engine braking when descending a hill. With the transmission still in D, a different, more aggressive shift program is activated in these situations, holding lower gears for longer when you're accelerating hard or engaging a lower gear when descending a hill (so that the engine will help keep speed down, instead of you having to rely just on the brakes).

The problem with an intelligent-shift program automatic without Sport mode is that it is only so clever; it is a reactive system. It only learns what you need just after the fact, and does not stay active for very long.

This is where Sport mode comes in: you move the lever to 'S' or press the Sport button and the transmission does what an intelligent transmission does but is ready for action during the period it is engaged.

Sport mode can be activated either by a button near the gear lever or within the gear lever quadrant, where the Sport position is usually next to Drive.

Sport mode is not the same as manual mode; in manual mode, the gear selection is entirely up to you; usually there will be an H-pattern gear selector that when moved over to the manual-mode side of the H will allow you to shift gears by rocking the spring-loaded lever either forwards or backwards.

As a safety measure, the transmission will kick-down automatically if you press the accelerator to the floor. If the engine has reached redline and you haven't selected a higher gear the transmission will do it for you.

Some vehicles change more than just transmission shift parameters when Sport is selected – they will even quicken the gear change itself when in Sport mode, enabling faster acceleration. Depending on the vehicle, Sport mode can also make throttle response quicker, steering heavier (to provide better road feel), suspension firmer and even the exhaust note can change. The way that the exhaust flows is changed, which may allow a freer flow of exhaust gases, freeing up a few more kilowatts or simply just make the exhaust sound sportier.

Often vehicles with sporting pretensions will allow you to customise the throttle, steering and suspension settings in an 'individual' mode. For example, you might want the softer suspension setting when driving on a rough road but keep the throttle, transmission and steering response in Sport mode.

Of course you can't have all that athleticism without burning extra calories; using Sport mode – even if you drive normally – will use more fuel.

Purists might not like automatic transmissions, but with Sport mode you can have most of the benefits of a manual without the hassle.