Does anyone actually use it on their car if equipped?
My Tundra has a sport shift transmission. It is a 6 speed automatic but I can slide the shifter to the side and just bump it up or down to shift through the gears manually like a stick shift. I shifted through the gears once when I first bought the truck and while stuck in traffic yesterday I played with it and came to the conclusion "this is dumb". Obviously if I want to downshift going downhill while towing I'll use it to use the transmission to slow me down....Like the PRNDL321. But does anyone think they can shift better then the computerized automatic transmission? What is the benefit to this?
Matt O 2006 Skyline Nomad 27' travel trailer. Previously owned 1986 Coleman Columbia / 1992 Coleman Senecca / 1989 Born Free Class C RV.
I only use the sport shift option in my truck in snowy conditions to keep the truck from gaining too much speed, much like you do while towing. In my F150, the tow/haul mode downshifts so quickly I don't need to. Now, in my very underpowered Kia Forte (4 cyl), I use the sport shift anytime I want to hold 1st gear and actually get the car moving. Otherwise, it shifts from 1st so quickly it cannot produce any rpm/horsepower.
I forgot, my Tundra has an automatic downshift thing going on if the RPM's aren't too high....which is pretty cool once you realize what's going on.
So you do use the sport shift often in the Kia from a start to get going faster. But not normal driving? You shift back to automatic then and don't treat it like a stick shift?
Matt O 2006 Skyline Nomad 27' travel trailer. Previously owned 1986 Coleman Columbia / 1992 Coleman Senecca / 1989 Born Free Class C RV.
I don't use the function very often. I really only use it at intersections where I don't have all the time in the world because of on coming traffic. Once through the intersection and up to speed, I'll shift back to auto and allow the car to do the work. The only other times I'll shift is when I'm at a red light on the highway (route 100) and want to pretend like I have a race car 8) Once up to speed, back to auto and the reality that I drive a 4 door family sedan :'(
Tony, Just wait until you find yourself rocking out to an old school song in the minivan with a babyseat in the back and realize that you aren't in a Camaro or some other cool car from your high school years.
Matt O 2006 Skyline Nomad 27' travel trailer. Previously owned 1986 Coleman Columbia / 1992 Coleman Senecca / 1989 Born Free Class C RV.
😮 No MANIvan for this guy. Jenny actually dislikes them more than me. I get their function, but my truck can handle just about as many people, comfortably, store stuff in the bed, and still tow the camper.
Back to your original question. In my non-mechanic opinion, the sport shift has to do with required fuel economy standards causing the low horse power cars and automatic transmissions having 7, 8, or more gears. High RPM is just wasting fuel. The sport shift allows you to bypass this, while the automaker hits their fuel standard requirements.
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