I was just wondering what you guys think about the DS mode. I tried it out tonight for the first time without shifting manually using the paddles. It was an interesting experience. The car drove as if someone were shifting a MT. It holds on to the gears mush longer, engine brakes and downshifts as you are slowing down. A lot more fun than just driving in standard auto mode. Although I do wonder how much damage it's doing to the gas mileage. There are times I wish I had gotten the MT, but this is my daily driver and I have to deal with heavy traffic on the way to work. At least DS mode gives you a more sporty feeling.

Ty

 

Long live DS mode!!!!

 

I love the DS mode but the shift is quite harsh from 2 to 3. Do you have the same issue?

Also when downshifting to 2 (not hitting the gas), there is a 3 seconds delay! I donno what the hell is wrong.

By the way, I love the 2nd gear. Lots of power there.

 

^^ i have that same problem from shifting from 2 to 3, its gettin pretty annoying too...

 

Yeah, I get a delay then lunge going from 2 to 3 via paddles or tip. 1 to 2 feels good though. I tend to only use paddles for playing around with 2nd gear (dropping in from 3rd or bringing up from 1st). Outside of that, I use auto or sports auto.

 

What's the difference between "Drive Sport" and "Sport Auto?"

 

I have not noticed the problem with harsh shifts between 2nd and 3rd that some of you described. I do seem to notice that gear shifts seem quicker in DS mode than they are using the paddles in MM. That seems to be way too slow. I wish it was set up with one of those double clutch system that Audi has so the shifts with the paddles would be instant. I only have about 500 miles on the car so far so I have not had that many opportunities for "fun runs" yet.

Ty

 

Drive Sport Rocks! Love the way the car feels in DS.

 

I feel like a retard. I thought that DS stood for Down Shift. I don't have the paddle shifters, so when I flip the stick over to the left it displays DS. I'm going to have to check that out ASAP!

 

Anybody?

 

I think he is talking about the same thing. Just saying "Sport Auto" instead of "Drive Sport". I don't know of any official referance to "Sport Auto" when it comes to our cars....

 

Thanks-

 

I was asked by Infinity to attend a Q and A session with their engineers in Long Beach last week. They gave me a gift Visa card with $200 on it, so why not?
According to them the DS mode is/was an experiment. If they get enough good feedback, they'll keep and improve. Right now it's best in city driving under about 45 mph. Also it's very heavy foot sensitive. If you push it too hard, it doesn't want to come off that high rpm.

It's great though because it feels more like manual shifting and it shifts where it should (quicker down shifts when slowing or climbing and less tendency to want to get into fourth or fifth gears too fast.) In fact, I don't think it will shift into fifth when in DS.

I only use paddles when it won't shift out of a lower gear fast enough. Generally, this means I'm getting on it too much. Like I said, best used on curving roads and in town and under about 45 and with a more tender foot.

 

Sport mode is awesome, this is about the only thing I missed from my Audi to the G35.. Good to use on the highway and in traffic. The lag from rev-matching has caused me to almost get in a ****load of accidents.

 

Mine has a delay upshifting from 1-2 in DS but the 2-3 shift is almost instant...