Sport Mode vs. Drive Mode vs. Manual Mode

[5thGenOwner]

Originally Posted by iHaVoKK

Sorry but im a noob and only had my car for a few weeks...How do you get into "Sport Mode" I have a Auto V6?

See the left "S"... that's when you know you are in "Sport Mode" (at least for the 2010's)

Originally Posted by PnCRedJwl2SS

I like the fact that, on my 2010 SS, I can't use the tap-shift buttons while in "D." It keeps me from accidentally going into Manual mode when I want the car to do the shifting for me.

Pretty sure I'd be happy with the 2011 setup though...I'd get used to it!

I have to agree... i've accidentally hit the buttons while in D, and glad that it didn't actually shift for me. I don't like the placement of them period; I think GM could have come up with a better design.

[seminolejon]

I've tried everything to get the M6 to change to an S.

The car does seem to be in "sport mode", however. And the owner's manual does say that it shifts into a more competitive mode.

Is it possible that only the SS displays will change to an "S"?

[remdds]

This may be repetative but here is the info staight from the owners manual. Hope this helps.

D (Drive): This position is for normal driving. It provides the
best fuel economy. If more power is needed for passing, and the
vehicle is:
• Going less than 35 mph (56 km/h), push the accelerator
pedal about halfway down.
• Going about 35 mph (56 km/h) or more, push the accelerator all the
way down.
Powertrain Braking (V8 and V6 Engines)
When driving on steep descents in D (Drive) or M (Manual Mode)
where frequent braking is required, the transmission will shift down a
gear to help hold vehicle speed and reduce brake wear. If the driver
continues to press the brake, the transmission will downshift until
3 (Third) gear is reached.
If the brake is released for some time, the transmission will upshift a
gear. If the road levels out and the accelerator pedal is pressed, the
transmission will upshift until the appropriate gear is reached.
4 (Fourth) Gear Hold (V6 Engine)
If, during highway driving, you wish to pass another vehicle, but
then change your mind (quickly pushing the accelerator pedal
all the way to the floor and then immediately releasing the pedal),
the transmission will shift to a lower gear and then upshift to 4 (Fourth).
This leaves the transmission prepared with increased
responsiveness for additional driver input. The passing maneuver can
then be resumed from 4 (Fourth) gear, or 4 (Fourth) gear hold can
be canceled by lightly pressing on the accelerator pedal.
Notice: If the vehicle seems to accelerate slowly or not shift
gears when you go faster, and you continue to drive the vehicle that
way, you could damage the transmission. Have the vehicle
serviced right away.
M (Manual Mode): This position engages Sport Mode and allows
the driver to select the range of gears appropriate for current
driving conditions.
In M (Manual Mode) the transmission will shift as an
automatic until the Tap Shift controls are used. Tap Shift
activates driver manual gear selection.
While driving in M (Manual Mode), if Tap Shift has not been activated,
the transmission determines when the vehicle is being driven in a
competitive manner and will select and hold the transmission in lower
gears and have more noticeable upshifts for sportier vehicle
performance.
See Manual Mode on page 8-29 for more information.
8-28 Driving and Operating

Tap Shift allows the driver to manually control the automatic transmission.
To use Tap Shift, the shift lever must be in M (Manual
Mode). Vehicles with this feature have flags on the top of the steering
wheel to indicate to the driver the location of the switches on the back
of the steering wheel. Tap the left switch to downshift, and the right
switch to upshift. A display in the Driver Information Center will show
which gear the vehicle is in.

See Driver Information Center (DIC) on page 4-27 for more information.

While using the Tap Shift feature, the vehicle will have firmer, quicker

shifting for increased performance. You can use this for sport driving or
when climbing or descending hills, to stay in gear longer, or to down shift
for more power or engine braking.
The transmission will only allow you to shift into gears appropriate
for the vehicle speed and engine Revolutions Per Minute (RPM).
The transmission will not automatically shift to the next higher
gear if the engine RPM is too high. If shifting is prevented for any
reason, the message Shift Denied will appear in the DIC, indicating
that the transmission has not shifted gears. While in the Tap
Shift mode, the transmission will not automatically downshift on
hard acceleration.
When coasting to a stop, the V6 transmission will automatically
downshift to 1 (First) gear, and the V8 transmission will automatically
downshift to 2 (Second) gear.
A 1 (first) gear start can be selected using the Tap Shift controls on
V8 models When accelerating from a stop the transmissions will hold
these gears until the driver manually selects higher gears using the Tap
Shift controls.
When accelerating the vehicle from a stop in snowy and icy conditions,
you may want to shift into second gear. A higher gear ratio allows you
to gain more traction on slippery surfaces

[seminolejon]

Ok,

Your owners manual reads:
M (Manual Mode): This position engages Sport Mode and allows
the driver to select the range of gears appropriate for current
driving conditions.

My owners manual reads:
M (Manual Mode): This position allows the driver to select the range of gears appropriate for current driving conditions.

Notice how my owners manual make no mention of "sport mode". Now, like I said, when I shift to M and M6 is displayed, and I don't touch the tap shifters, it does automatically shift in a sportier mode. The display just doesn't read "S".

[MARINE1991]

I tried it today and love it...

[Jimi Mack]

Originally Posted by seminolejon

Notice how my owners manual make no mention of "sport mode". Now, like I said, when I shift to M and M6 is displayed, and I don't touch the tap shifters, it does automatically shift in a sportier mode. The display just doesn't read "S".

I Agree! All I get out of mine is M6. No "S". I don't think there is a "Sport" mode for us with 2011 V6's. Maybe just for 2LT's and up. Can hold Right Tap for 2 seconds or 2 hours and it stays M6....and tap shifting really seems like it's not worth the effort...if I wanted to do this, I would have just bought the car with manual transmission..."Sport" Shift on the gear selector (had one on a 2009 Charger) seemed much easier then the button shift on the steering wheel.

[myocum2008]

What about for 2lt v6 2010 models. Anyone?

[seminolejon]

Originally Posted by Jimi Mack

I Agree! All I get out of mine is M6. No "S". I don't think there is a "Sport" mode for us with 2011 V6's. Maybe just for 2LT's and up. Can hold Right Tap for 2 seconds or 2 hours and it stays M6....and tap shifting really seems like it's not worth the effort...if I wanted to do this, I would have just bought the car with manual transmission..."Sport" Shift on the gear selector (had one on a 2009 Charger) seemed much easier then the button shift on the steering wheel.

But do you agree that even though the display stays as M6, the car still drives in more responsive manner? I think the sport mode is there without Chevy advertising it.

[Black11Camaro]

I HAVE A 2011 LS. I have had my camaro for 8 months i just read these post, went outside, crank my car- threw it in M and it shows the S, Sport mode!!!!! - Awm man it took off like bat out of hell!!!! i didnt even floor it- then mashed the throttle and that sucker responded immediately!!!!! OH Snap!!!! I love it!!!! BTW It did scare me,,,,,, a little lol

[ljones]

I've only accidentally used the pedal shifters. Most times I'm in D, unless I need to merge quick, or early mornings to work, i like to open her up.

Although, the last time I did this, i was pulled over... the MRT is a bit of a police magnet. And I thought I was done with the days of doing random dumbness in fast cars... reminded me of the old times in my Challenger.

[jmatero]

Sport mode also keeps the car from shifting into 6th

[evlar]

Meh... Sport mode is a somewhat more noticeable of a difference when driving versus D. When you turn off trac and stability control, then you start to feel it on turns and high speed. Not sure any of these improve acceleration off the line... or at least I didn't notice. The lag still exisits when you first push the throttle and the torque kicks in.

[jm251]

I forgot about sport mode for almost 2 yrs now. gotta try it again. last night I demoed the power to a buddy of mine. shoulda had it in sport mode and TCS off. seemed a little sluggish gettin through 3rd at WOT. but after that look out. D mode didn't help matters huh. he just bought a VW GTI and that things pretty quick with the turbo. pretty sure I still got him beat

[TestDrive]

Can you shift from "D" to "M' while driving?

2012 2lt camaro