kharouf

what is the main difference between them? does drive have better fuel econ than sport mode? both of them i notice both are always looking for higher gears. I think GM should keep lower gears when in sport mode.

EVILFACE

S for working the paddles.

kharouf

i dont use paddles, but thats the only difference in sport mode?

Turbo6TA

All you need to do is look at page 9-29 of your operators manual:
__________________________

When in S (Sport Mode), the transmission will work as an automatic until you use the Manual Paddle Shift Controls, which activates driver manual gear selection.
See Manual Mode on page 9‑29.

While in S (Sport Mode), the transmission will have more
noticeable upshifts for sportier vehicle performance.

kharouf

so in that case its better always in sport mode? lol

Turbo6TA

In the case of "more noticeable upshifts for sportier vehicle performance" while in 'Sport' mode, I noticed this to be true at wide open throttle, but during normal driving, I don't notice any difference at all.

I think the Sport mode would be best during drag racing ... other than that, I leave mine in the regular Drive mode.

BTW ... using the paddles are pretty much useless for drag racing.

For drag racing, I would just turn off the Traction Control, and put the transmission in Sport mode, and then let the car shift by itself (not using the paddles)

wayback

It really depends on what year you have. GM changed the tune quite a bit through the run.

S will hold a lower gear longer if you are driving aggressively. Not much difference under normal stop and go traffic.

Dcasole

And it shifts harder

Dave

ls7plus

Sounds like it offers the same quicker shifts and longer gear holding as the "sport" setting does in my 8 speed Jeep Grand Cherokee Hemi. The differences in "sport" versus normal are pretty significant in that vehicle.

Best to all,

Larry

Old Man in a C

So you're saying that if I have the tranny in "S" (sport mode), and don't use the paddles, it will still shift, but harder? Can't believe I didn't know that. I always thought Sport Mode simply activated paddle shifting. Duh


QUOTE=
When in S (Sport Mode), the transmission will work as an automatic until you use the Manual Paddle Shift Controls, which activates driver manual gear selection.
See Manual Mode on page 9‑29.

While in S (Sport Mode), the transmission will have more
noticeable upshifts for sportier vehicle performance.[/QUOTE]

jchappies

When you go to Sport mode and do not touch the paddles it will shift as an automatic...but if you touch the paddles it will stay in manual mode until you shift back to drive then back down to sport to go back to automatic mode.

tsmart

I have been confused too, even after reading. When in D, doesnt the car start off in second gear ? When sitting in drive, i shift to sport, only then does the DIC show I am in first gear. Whats the point of a vette starting from a stop in second?

BWF07

I just have the habit of always pulling the selector all the way down to Sport mode. I do use the paddles a lot however and I have modified my paddles to down shift on the left and upshift on the right and added custom paddles. I think gas milage might be slightly better in t=just the drive mode as the shifts are a little sooner then in sport and they are smoother. I for one do not get overly concerned about mileage. If I was worried about it I wouldn't own a Corvette.

SPSandman

Funny, on the way into work I was thinking of asking a question related to this and I see this post resurrected. I had the same setup in my Camaro 2SS, and it had a tune on it, that made Sport A TON more aggressive. It shifted so much quicker.

Anyway, I always left the car in Sport mode and have done the same with the Vette. Rarely do I put it in Drive.
Though, it doesn't shift nearly as fast as the tuned Camaro did, it is a bit noticeable compared to Drive, but nothing dramatic. I need to get a tune for my SCTX4 on the Vette to get that shift speed updated.

I still think GM definitely has the A6 set to up shift way too soon. One reason I do use the paddles is to keep in down a gear to keep the RPMs up a bit when I am driving through the curvy back roads to stay in the power band. No reason to be in sixth gear at 45mph. I know they do it for the fuel economy, but would be nice if Sport would be a bit more... Sportier.

Also, I had the same thing happen with the Camaro and have noticed it occasionally with the Vette, I will be in Sport mode and locked into a gear cruising and it feels like there is a.... almost a shift, but it isn't as the car is still in the same gear say 3rd, but it feels like it shifts. Seems weird, maybe just the engine, but almost feels like it downshifts? This is usually at very low speed going in the neighborhood. Anyone experience this?

Speed07

The way I understand it, when in D the trans will start in 1st gear. When in S and using the paddles, it will start in 2nd gear unless you use the paddles to shift down to 1st.

Bruze

Yes. When I first got mine I practiced with the paddles, which was a far cry from a three-on-the-tree or floorshift. I can shift those subconsciously but not so with the paddles. Someone on this forum suggested to just drive around as you would normally, but use the paddles so you get used to them. That helped, and I still do that sometimes. It's very hilly where I live and I like to downshift when necessary.

With none of this coming by rote, starting out in 1st with full throttle, the redline comes quick -- and avoiding the rev limiter but not shifting too early has to be learned. I decided that I didn't want to beat the crap out of it that much so I just use "S" and let 'er rip.

Somebody above me asked, and I've seen this debated before, but does anybody know FOR SURE that if in "S" from a dead stop, and not using the paddles, does it start out in first? If it didn't, it would all seem pretty pointless. Who wants to race starting out in second?

jimijam

A guy with crappy tires on his C6?!?!?!?!

HOXXOH

I can't confirm what GM did on the A6 tuning in years before and after '08, but that year starts in 1st in D or S as long as you don't activate the paddles which force it into paddle mode until you shift out of S.
Automatic WOT shifts come at 6300 RPM in D and 6500 RPM in S. If you activate the paddles and go WOT, you'll hit the rev limiter about 6700 RPM unless you paddle shift to the next gear. If you are cruising and the converter clutch has locked up, feeding a bit of throttle will release the lock-up and the car will feel like you did a slight downshift, since you're getting a bit of boost from the converter.

You can change lots of parameters with HP Tuners to whatever suits your fancy. Beware that hard shifts may feel like old school shift kits, but transmission life will be shorter. The 3-4 shift is the weak point in the 6L80 trans.

Bruze

dr_gallup

Can't say for sure because I've never owned a Chevy with a slush box but it sounds like what you are experiencing is the torque converter clutch going in and out of lockup.