S - Gear explanation

[T0Y0]

my instruction manual doesn't properly explain what this is for.
I believe it is for driving in the mountains, or is it a sport gear?
What difference does it make with the normal D - gear?

[Zwolfe]

More RPM's for any given MPH in (S)port mode.

[Cobb]

It also let's you select a gear with the paddles and it will even hold that gear. I use it for heavy stop n go traffic.


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[Zwolfe]

Oh yea, that's true.

I always forget about the paddle shifters. They can be fun.

[Metagard]

Thanks for this info. I just bought my LX (no paddles) on Aug 5, and didn't know about the sport mode until this morning when I got curious about the "S" on the shifter. A rather awesome surprise. It wasn't mentioned in any of the reviews I read, and I don't think the Honda salespeople knew about it either. This will be useful for onramps and passing - my major concern about the Insight was in that department. Fuel economy doesn't seem to take too bad of a hit, either - compared to non-hybrids, that is.

[T0Y0]

Thanks!
other question: when I hold the right and left shift paddle at the same time it will go to L gear. It must be a low gear because it doesn't shift up when you rev into the red zone. anyone know more info of this gear?
also: in S gear and with manual shifting, how do you go back to auto-shifting in S gear? maybe with a paddle combination?

[hessebauer]

in S mode the ratio is shorter but the gear switches to the next stage up or down when the rpm´s are out of the S-mode tolerance. From S back to D you must shift the Lever to D.
S is like normal manual gear but with some safety restrictions for gear and engine.

in L which you can enter pulling both paddles is the shortest ratio but the manual says nothing about limitations or how to switch of; perhaps pull the both paddles another time ?

[Cobb]

I use L for putting my car on the ramps to service it and when I was stuck in the snow.


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