DS (drive sport) questions

mtlcruisin · 05-25-2011, 11:01 AM

I never drove the car in sport mode until yesterday. The lag, under 1500rpm in regular D was completely gone when I switched it into DS. The car would change at a higher rpm, I was noticing 3500-4000, and even when slowing down I felt I was using more engine breaking.

It was great for traffic, changing lanes was perfect, I didn't have to worry about pressing on the pedal, then having a slight delay even though I was basically flooring the car. In DS, the car responded much faster to my acceleration.

Tested it on some open roads too, and this thing flies in DS. I tested D and DS from a complete stop and the lag is basically not there. I think I am addicted to DS now...

So, is it bad to drive in DS all the time? Aside from consuming more gas, which the dealer warned me, does it affect engine wear or anything like that? Do you guys mostly drive in D or DS?

frankwin · 05-25-2011, 11:33 AM

Don't worry the car has been designed for that

Engine/car will obviously wear faster if you drive very hard every day like if you were on a race track!

I am always in sport+ mode!

Bimar · 05-25-2011, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frankwin

Don't worry the car has been designed for that

Engine/car will obviously wear faster if you drive very hard every day like if you were on a race track!

I am always in sport+ mode!

Isnt it hard to drive a bimmer softly like a Corolla especially when you can do 0-60 in 5.5 secs?

frankwin · 05-25-2011, 02:44 PM

agreed but I guess you don't do this at every traffic light

509trooper · 05-25-2011, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inamik75

Isnt it hard to drive a bimmer softly like a Corolla especially when you can do 0-60 in 5.5 secs?

That's funny because on the way home from work today I saw a "tricked out" Corolla. It had a paint job that looked green from one angle and purple from another. After market rims and tinted windows. All of the vehicle badging was gold toned. All I could think was "it's still just a Corolla!" You should have taken all that money spent on the upgrades and just bought a nicer car!

Beyu · 05-25-2011, 07:26 PM

I find myself using the paddle shifters more often than I thought, sport mode would be perfect if it didn't hold lower gears for so long.

andrewbmw · 05-25-2011, 07:56 PM

I also never drive ds before and have noticed quite some acceleration delay especially after a dead stop.

Will try it out tomorrow and curious about how much mpg it will lose.

Also, is it a good idea to switch back to D after the car is in good speed?

Quote:

Originally Posted by frankwin

Don't worry the car has been designed for that

Engine/car will obviously wear faster if you drive very hard every day like if you were on a race track!

I am always in sport+ mode!

xDrive35i · 05-26-2011, 01:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beyu

I find myself using the paddle shifters more often than I thought, sport mode would be perfect if it didn't hold lower gears for so long.

The paddles in Sport+ make the car a BLAST to drive.

flash3 · 05-26-2011, 05:18 AM

Question, my car is only 2 weeks and abt 200 miles old -- is it bad for the car at this time to use the DS?

robwoods · 05-26-2011, 05:29 AM

I find that in crawling traffic if I leave it in 'D' then the revs in my 2.0d are often down to 1,000rpm. The engine is rumbling at that speed and doesn't pick up well, you have to stab the accelerator to convince it to drop a gear. I personally don't think 1,000rpm is ever a good idea, but there's nothing you can do to change that behaviour in 'D'.

I agree that 'DS' is better in crawling traffic but once above 20mph I'm back in 'D'. Fuel economy is king in the land of Rip-off fuel prices!

S459 · 05-26-2011, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flash3

Question, my car is only 2 weeks and abt 200 miles old -- is it bad for the car at this time to use the DS?

I think your car is in Break-in Period and you can drive in DS, that's no problem but you should be better to follow the owner manual's instruction.

"Breaking-in period ...Up to 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Do not exceed the maximum engine and road
speeds:

. For gasoline engine, 4500 rpm and 100 mph/160 km/h.
Avoid full-throttle operation and use of the transmission's kickdown mode for the initial miles"

guitarpath · 05-26-2011, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bxsimon

For gasoline engine, 4500 rpm and 100 mph/160 km/h.
Avoid full-throttle operation and use of the transmission's kickdown mode for the initial miles"

What exactly does "transmission's kickdown mode" mean? Is this the equivalent of Sport Mode?

S459 · 05-26-2011, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guitarpath

What exactly does "transmission's kickdown mode" mean? Is this the equivalent of Sport Mode?

Yes, I would like to know what does the "transmission's kickdown mode" mean as well? it comes from owner manual page 120. Anyone can help?! Thanks!

clivem2 · 05-26-2011, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bxsimon

Yes, I would like to know what does the "transmission's kickdown mode" mean as well? it comes from owner manual page 120. Anyone can help?! Thanks!

drops down a gear or more when you kickdown the accelerator, just like most autos.

flash3 · 05-26-2011, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bxsimon

I think your car is in Break-in Period and you can drive in DS, that's no problem but you should be better to follow the owner manual's instruction.

"Breaking-in period ...Up to 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Do not exceed the maximum engine and road
speeds:

. For gasoline engine, 4500 rpm and 100 mph/160 km/h.
Avoid full-throttle operation and use of the transmission's kickdown mode for the initial miles"

Yes, I've been very careful to not go over 70 on my car right now, given it's so new.

So, can I start using the car in DS when I am about to pull it out of the house and then can I switch back to D (while I am driving) on highway? Am I hearing that correct? It won't damage the car?

Also, what's the full throttle and kickdown feature you mentioned above? I am not fully understanding that atm.

sfax · 05-26-2011, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clivem2

drops down a gear or more when you kickdown the accelerator, just like most autos.

This is correct. All it means is putting your foot down sharply rather than gently. The auto reads this as "the driver wants to accelerate quickly" and changes down first before accelerating. It's a good craic!

clivem2 · 05-26-2011, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sfax

This is correct. All it means is putting your foot down sharply rather than gently. The auto reads this as "the driver wants to accelerate quickly" and changes down first before accelerating. It's a good craic!

Now you've explained kickdown someone will ask about craic.....

Harplayr · 05-26-2011, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sfax

This is correct. All it means is putting your foot down sharply rather than gently. The auto reads this as "the driver wants to accelerate quickly" and changes down first before accelerating. It's a good craic!

Could this “kickdown” delay when the transmission is shifting to a lower gear be what people are interpreting as a lag?

Wat's craic?

Beyu · 05-26-2011, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flash3

So, can I start using the car in DS when I am about to pull it out of the house and then can I switch back to D (while I am driving) on highway? Am I hearing that correct? It won't damage the car?

You can use DS and switch back to D anytime you want, not just pulling out of your house or driving on the freeway. Just make sure not to accidentally hit up or down on the gear shifter as if you do it'll stay in manual mode and you have to shift gears yourself until you toggle back into D or any of the other gear/modes.

xDrive35i · 05-26-2011, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robwoods

I find that in crawling traffic if I leave it in 'D' then the revs in my 2.0d are often down to 1,000rpm. The engine is rumbling at that speed and doesn't pick up well, you have to stab the accelerator to convince it to drop a gear. I personally don't think 1,000rpm is ever a good idea, but there's nothing you can do to change that behaviour in 'D'.

I agree that 'DS' is better in crawling traffic but once above 20mph I'm back in 'D'. Fuel economy is king in the land of Rip-off fuel prices!

If you got the paddle shifters, you can shift down and engage manual mode temporarily. When you pick up constant speed, the transmission will revert back to D.

sfax · 05-26-2011, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harplayr

Wat's craic?

craic - Well, perhaps not what you think!

(crack)

mjjc1972 · 05-26-2011, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robwoods

I find that in crawling traffic if I leave it in 'D' then the revs in my 2.0d are often down to 1,000rpm. The engine is rumbling at that speed and doesn't pick up well, you have to stab the accelerator to convince it to drop a gear. I personally don't think 1,000rpm is ever a good idea, but there's nothing you can do to change that behaviour in 'D'.

I agree that 'DS' is better in crawling traffic but once above 20mph I'm back in 'D'. Fuel economy is king in the land of Rip-off fuel prices!

Amen to that, brother! Death to the Oil Giants!

05-25-2011, 11:01 AM	#1
mtlcruisin Private First Class 45 Rep 187 Posts Drives: 2018 X3 M40i Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: montreal iTrader: (0)	DS (drive sport) questions I never drove the car in sport mode until yesterday. The lag, under 1500rpm in regular D was completely gone when I switched it into DS. The car would change at a higher rpm, I was noticing 3500-4000, and even when slowing down I felt I was using more engine breaking. It was great for traffic, changing lanes was perfect, I didn't have to worry about pressing on the pedal, then having a slight delay even though I was basically flooring the car. In DS, the car responded much faster to my acceleration. Tested it on some open roads too, and this thing flies in DS. I tested D and DS from a complete stop and the lag is basically not there. I think I am addicted to DS now... So, is it bad to drive in DS all the time? Aside from consuming more gas, which the dealer warned me, does it affect engine wear or anything like that? Do you guys mostly drive in D or DS?
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05-25-2011, 11:33 AM	#2
frankwin Private First Class 6 Rep 122 Posts Drives: X3 xDrive35i w/MSport and + Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Quebec iTrader: (0)	Don't worry the car has been designed for that Engine/car will obviously wear faster if you drive very hard every day like if you were on a race track! I am always in sport+ mode!
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05-25-2011, 02:44 PM	#4
frankwin Private First Class 6 Rep 122 Posts Drives: X3 xDrive35i w/MSport and + Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Quebec iTrader: (0)	agreed but I guess you don't do this at every traffic light
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05-25-2011, 07:26 PM	#6
Beyu Lieutenant 13 Rep 579 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: WA iTrader: (0)	I find myself using the paddle shifters more often than I thought, sport mode would be perfect if it didn't hold lower gears for so long.
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05-26-2011, 05:18 AM	#9
flash3 Captain 68 Rep 654 Posts Drives: X3 28i Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NC iTrader: (0)	Question, my car is only 2 weeks and abt 200 miles old -- is it bad for the car at this time to use the DS?
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05-26-2011, 05:29 AM	#10
robwoods Private 11 Rep 78 Posts Drives: BMW 220d Gran Tourer Auto Join Date: May 2011 Location: Nottingham, UK iTrader: (0)	I find that in crawling traffic if I leave it in 'D' then the revs in my 2.0d are often down to 1,000rpm. The engine is rumbling at that speed and doesn't pick up well, you have to stab the accelerator to convince it to drop a gear. I personally don't think 1,000rpm is ever a good idea, but there's nothing you can do to change that behaviour in 'D'. I agree that 'DS' is better in crawling traffic but once above 20mph I'm back in 'D'. Fuel economy is king in the land of Rip-off fuel prices!
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