Sport Mode means what?

[PajamaGuy]

I watched a video review, and i just read Consumer Reports final-new review :"The shift lever has a toggle to simulate manual shifting, and a Sport mode switch which changes shift points for more enthusiastic driving."

 

I've been thinking that the Escape trans. is like my Fusion's SelectShift. When I watched the video, it looked like the dude had the shift selector in the "S" position, yet the trans shifted up by itself. In my Fusion, if you put the selector in "S", it stays in whatever gear is selected - period. To shift up or down, you have to manually do the shifting.

 

Just what does "Sport mode" mean?

[pillboy]

From the Owner's Guide:

 

S (Sport)

Moving the gearshift lever to S (Sport):

• Provides additional grade (engine)

braking and extends lower gear

operation to enhance performance for

uphill climbs, hilly terrain or

mountainous areas. This will increase

engine RPM during engine braking.

• Provides additional lower gear

operation through the automatic

transmission shift strategy.

• Gears are selected more quickly and

at higher engine speeds.

147

Transmission

SelectShift Automatic®

Transmission (If Equipped)

Your SelectShift automatic transmission

gives you the ability to manually change

gears if you'd like. To use SelectShift, move

the gearshift lever into S (Sport). Now you

can use the +/- buttons on the side of your

gearshift lever to select gears.

When using the toggle for manual shifting:

• Press the (+) button to upshift.

• Press the (-) button to downshift.

Note: After you have assumed manual

control with SelectShift your vehicle will

remain in this mode until you return the

gearshift lever from (S) Sport, back to (D)

Drive.

Upshift to the recommended shift speeds

according to the following chart:

Upshifts when accelerating (recommended

for best fuel economy)

Shift from:

1 - 2 15 mph (24 km/h)

2 - 3 25 mph (40 km/h)

3 - 4 40 mph (64 km/h)

4 - 5 45 mph (72 km/h)

5 - 6 50 mph (80 km/h)

The instrument cluster will display the

selected gear that you are currently in.

SelectShift will automatically make some

shifts for you in the event that your engine

speed is running at too high, or to low an

RPM.

Note: Engine damage may occur if

excessive engine revving is held without

shifting.

 

 

It looks to me like the trans will shift by itself in Sport mode, but at higher shift points. It also looks like entering Sport modes enables the +/- toggle to operate on the shift lever.

Edited September 26, 2012 by pillboy

[akirby]

Basically, when you first put it in Sport mode it's still automatic but changes the shift strategy until you hit a manual shift button and then it goes to manual mode until you put it back in D.

[5w20]

It works pretty well to. Shifts are solid and right now. It's as good as the one on my C6 minus 227 HP.

[pillboy]

changes the shift strategy

 

Another way to say this is "uses more gas".

[Leon]

Basically, when you first put it in Sport mode it's still automatic but changes the shift strategy until you hit a manual shift button and then it goes to manual mode until you put it back in D.

Huh, that's what it does! After the test drive I was sure Escape didn't have a normal sport mode auto; apparently I just tripped the +/- switch. Modern cars get too smart sometimes And that "rocker button" is pretty bad, IMHO. Not ergonomic at all.