Sport Mode Tightens Steering

[Crose1695]

Fake engine noise?

engine noise enhancement. it’s always on unless you use a plug in system to turn it off. I have the Carista and turned it off along with a few other things. So worth it

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[sstarrx2]

One thing I will say and every persons experiences will vary...In normal mode throttle response is just fine in the SR5 4R...very happy with it because I was not expecting it based on my GTI experience. My GTI was awful unless it was in sport mode...you really had to give it a bunch of throttle to get it going. I do not feel that way about my SR5. It is a good thing because the fake engine noise was very pleasant in my GTI...it was subtle and added to the driving experience . The 4R it is just off...not pleasant at all. Sport mode does make everything quicker in the 4R...I would have to turn off that noise though and monitor the gas milage. I get between 20-21 daily driving in normal. I would not tolerate much less for the quicker throttle.

 

[sstarrx2]

That is not how turbos work.

'“SPORT” mode
Assists acceleration response by
controlling the transmission, engine
and steering. Suitable for when pre-
cise handling is desirable, for
example when driving on mountain
roads. The “SPORT” indicator
comes on.'

It keeps the revs higher to get quicker throttle response which means you'll get to boost quicker, but you don't stay in boost all the time. In the end it all comes down to how much you are slamming down on the gas, or not.

True...poor choice of words on my part. I was trying to infer that it as soon as you hit the throttle you are already in the boost because it comes in so low in the RPM range. I will have to get the fake engine noise turned off and experiment with MPGs.

 

[Joestac]

True...poor choice of words on my part. I was trying to infer that it as soon as you hit the throttle you are already in the boost because it comes in so low in the RPM range. I will have to get the fake engine noise turned off and experiment with MPGs.

I figured, just wanted to correct just in case the search engine AI overlords ingest as fact. I would be curious what Sport does to mpg. My only data point is confirming for my driving Eco and Normal was no difference.

 

[John2112]

I thought it might be placebo, but after a year of driving this truck and probably using sport mode 10 times, I finally looked it up. Apparently putting it into sport mode tightens the electronic power steering. Pretty cool feature I haven't seen discussed on here yet! I might use it more often even though I am only getting 17 mpg in normal mode

It also remaps the transmission a bit, and in my Trailhunter it starts putting the fake engine noise through the speakers LOL. The transmission mapping is great for going down long downhill grades, it slows you down a bit without having to hit the brakes or downshift to keep speed in check. I drive down several 6% and 8% grades and it's helpful. Does do a number on the gas mileage though, which in the Trailhunter is only about 15 MPG to start with.

 

[127.0.0.1]

That is not how turbos work.

'“SPORT” mode
Assists acceleration response by
controlling the transmission, engine
and steering. Suitable for when pre-
cise handling is desirable, for
example when driving on mountain
roads. The “SPORT” indicator
comes on.'

It keeps the revs higher to get quicker throttle response which means you'll get to boost quicker, but you don't stay in boost all the time. In the end it all comes down to how much you are slamming down on the gas, or not.

this.

some people get better mileage in [whatever mode] it's based on terrain,
weather conditions, and driving habits. sport might fit someones driving
style better for mpg for that day, or all the time. it varies

for a hypermiler eco is the way to go, but it's sluggish and for me anyway real hard
to optimize eco mode for mpg.

but if I truly just fart along in eco I've had the best mpg but also a lot of aggravation in traffic... 'cuz where I drive being able to make snappy adjustments fits into the traffic pattern better than poking along

 

[MikeD]

It also remaps the transmission a bit, and in my Trailhunter it starts putting the fake engine noise through the speakers LOL. The transmission mapping is great for going down long downhill grades, it slows you down a bit without having to hit the brakes or downshift to keep speed in check. I drive down several 6% and 8% grades and it's helpful. Does do a number on the gas mileage though, which in the Trailhunter is only about 15 MPG to start with.

Interesting - this thread overall and your post have me considering experimenting more with Sport mode (although I do hate the ESE and have not had it turned off yet).
BUT.... when I'm on long downhill grades I almost always switch to "standard" shifting and pick a gear (usually 3 or 4) that allows the engine to control my speed (which is often important due to switchbacks on such grades) without exceeding ~4000 RPM or so. The bonus is I get to watch the battery indicator climb steadily - all the way up to eight bars. Any engine braking will contribute to battery level increase on the hybrid but standard mode and 4K RPM on a downhill gets it to the top of the meter FAST.

 

[Joe Dirt]

this.

some people get better mileage in [whatever mode] it's based on terrain,
weather conditions, and driving habits. sport might fit someones driving
style better for mpg for that day, or all the time. it varies

for a hypermiler eco is the way to go, but it's sluggish and for me anyway real hard
to optimize eco mode for mpg.

but if I truly just fart along in eco I've had the best mpg but also a lot of aggravation in traffic... 'cuz where I drive being able to make snappy adjustments fits into the traffic pattern better than poking along

Yeah likewise here I was putting along going down to San Diego, traffic was flowing but never more than 70. I hit 25 almost 26 mpg, it was a record for my MPG so far.
I don't really watch it or track it, but was surprised to see that.
That was also with a fresh oil change.

 

[John2112]

Interesting - this thread overall and your post have me considering experimenting more with Sport mode (although I do hate the ESE and have not had it turned off yet).
BUT.... when I'm on long downhill grades I almost always switch to "standard" shifting and pick a gear (usually 3 or 4) that allows the engine to control my speed (which is often important due to switchbacks on such grades) without exceeding ~4000 RPM or so. The bonus is I get to watch the battery indicator climb steadily - all the way up to eight bars. Any engine braking will contribute to battery level increase on the hybrid but standard mode and 4K RPM on a downhill gets it to the top of the meter FAST.

You're right about that battery charging, I get rid of my Jeep hybrid a year ago and I will say one thing good about Jeep, you never had to hit the brake going down just about any Hill, it had really strong regenerative braking, and one pedal driving. I realize that that is illegal in Japan so Toyota doesn't put it on any of their vehicles but it sure would be of a benefit for those of us that drive regularly in the mountains. That being said the Jeep was horrible to drive on the highway and left me stranded in the middle of nowhere so back to Toyota.

 

[TrdProGirl84]

Yeah...the only good benefit of sport mode in my opinion. I get closer to 21 mpgs in my SR5 but only running 265/65 R17 on Nitto Ridge grapplers. The awful fake engine noise in sport mode killed it for me...even more than the bad gas mileage. Sport mode in a top heavy vehicle is silly to me.

If I use mine in sport mode my mpg is worse

 

[John2112]

If I use mine in sport mode my mpg is worse

Never noticed that fake engine noise until someone told me to turn the stereo down LOL.

 

[sstarrx2]

Never noticed that fake engine noise until someone told me to turn the stereo down LOL.

LOL...I gave it a try on the way to the gym this afternoon and turned up the radio so I did not havr to hear it. It is not obnoxious until you give it the beans! The throttle response is nice!

 

[John2112]

LOL...I gave it a try on the way to the gym this afternoon and turned up the radio so I did not havr to hear it. It is not obnoxious until you give it the beans! The throttle response is nice!

I have the Trailhunter, so cutting out the wastegate sound required a stereo upgrade. I use sport mode just for going downhills and added steering response in the mountains. Definitely don't need the extra throttle response sport mode gives me.

 

[bakutheleo]

I almost always use ECO figuring it would improve mileage, but have not really tested other modes other than briefly. I fine ECO mode plenty responsive though. I did not notice a difference in steering in my brief test, I will watch for that.

I have not turned off the fake engine noise but probably will if I use that mode much. Once I learned it was there I do hear it, although it did not bother me all that much (other than, why do I need extra noise?).

@Joe Dirt I generally check trip mileage by looking at the dash numbers after I stop the engine (I have gotten pretty used to doing so). I am in an ORP Hybrid--I see 26+ periodically. I live in east San Diego county and work basically next to the ocean, so my drive in to work is literally mostly downhill. I do notice a difference each way--typically around 22 toward home and 25ish to work. It does vary of course. Once when I went out to Anza Borrego we did a fairly straight shot back after getting back on the pavement--that 49 mile leg showed 37 MPG. Wish I could get that all the time! Best was when I was in Mammoth some time ago and we cam back from the Minnerets (top of a mountain). Short-ish drive back to the hotel got someting like 57 MPG. Lifetime average, though, over 12,000 miles is 22.8.

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