I used sport mode for the first time today with just under 2000 miles on the car, and I might make this my new normal mode. Noticed right away the slightly tighter steering, and quicker throttle response.

Normal mode when I drive in the city streets.
Sport mode when I drive in 15 km highway comute to work

I rarely ever leave it in normal mode. I usually put it in sport mode before I even shift out of park. Normal mode steering is too light and vague. It's just a gimmick to me.

I only drive it in sport. Over the last year I've never used normal I hate the light steering and slower acceleration

Normal mode is nice when you have people in the car or if you want to chill and drive. Other than that sport mode with the traction control off is how i normally drive.

I just checked the owners manual and I cant find an answer to this question. Can you push the sport mode button at any time, or does the car need to be stopped?

Any time engine is running.

Sport mode gives quicker acceleration? My timer can't see a difference, and in Sport mode I'm usually haulin' a_s in a straight line so steering wheel feeling is not an issue for me.

You can drive chill in sport mode... I don't see any benefit to lighter or vague steering, which is what you get in normal mode
You can switch it at anytime. I like to do it when the wheel is straight, just so it's not trying to firm up the steering AS I'm steering the car, but you can do it at anytime
Even in a straight line, heavier, more precise steering is needed for more accurate straight line stability at higher speeds

Anyone notice in the manual it says sport mode uses more gas then usual? I don't use sport mode as I find it to touchy and way more willing then normal mode driving. BUT it is a cool feature to have if needed on the highway or something.

The timing might not make a difference but you cant deny the throttle response. Its instant compared to normal mode and makes a big difference. I noticed it right away.

It is a little more aggressive with throttle response as well as gear ratios than normal mode, but I got 24mpg in NYC the first few days I had the car, striclty driving it in sport mode. Compare that to the 17mpg average I used to get in my 2015 Rogue... Sport mode works for me lol.

Plus I think it's more intuitive with better engine braking. The way a "4door sports car" should be. And even then it's on the conservative side unless you get on it a bit more. Just my .02

I would say about 50% of the time. Which is when I am
highway driving. Haven't seen much of a drop off in mpg.

Is there a way to have it default to sport mode, or does everyone just enable it every time you start up the car?

I Rarely use the sport mode maybe 10 to 15 times since I got the car on May 2016
I feel the diff in the steering wheel once I put in in sport but feel more comfortable driving with a lighter steering. Even in highways.

I only use sport mode. ALL the time, unless on a long highway trip. If someone can figure out how to make sport mode default, i thank you in advance!

All day, every day. I hate the steering in normal mode.

everyday... unless my folks are with me.

Pretty much all the time. Since they say that you get lower MPG in Sport mode, I tend to use Normal mode for the highway.

Had forgotten all about that button. Just started using it last 2 days and car has come alive in a smiling way and pulling away from anyone beside me.

Ian B

I'd use it alot more if it would be the default mode. Sometimes I just get in my car and roll. Of course, I will usually remember once I get out of my neighborhood area.

Until this thread I never really gave much thought to using sport mode vs. normal mode. Now its become a habit to press the sport button every time I hop in.

wow! ^^ mikeymax17 ^^ your wheels and stance look sick! nice choice; you did your car right.

Thanks man appreciate it!!

I only use Sport mode when I'm in a hurry and fixin' to weave in-n-out of traffic, and do aggressive overtaking. I need the instant throttle response and the high rpm power. Otherwise (98% of the time), I keep it in Normal, as I like to drive with 1-2 fingers on the wheel and the Sport mode steering is too firm for that.

I use it whenever i really need to get pass someone.

The mpg can be lower if you punch it as the car is more willing to get into the power band (4000+) much more quickly. When at cruising speeds and not under acceleration it will settle to the same ratio and rpm as normal mode to maintain speed, so the efficiency is the same.

I'm STILL in the break in on the car after 1.5 months, almost to 1k miles, debating if that is enough break in to get a little more aggressive on the throttle. Almost all stop and go driving.

I was in sport mode the other day and pretty sure I kicked in the active trace control coming out of a round about, didn't get the tach over 4K but pushed the throttle a bit.

The first couple of months I owned the car, I stayed in normal. Ever since I switch to sport mode, I never went back! Gotta love the extra power and tighter steering!

lol.. There isn't extra power. Throttle response and transmission programming changes.

Right! lol. Certainly feels like it though

No kidding. The placebo effect is awesome in this car and they done a great job faking it in sport mode.

I'll welcome myself as a new owner. Wednesday, I bought a Certified 2016 SL with 40K(All highway, Lease Return, clean CarFax) after having a 2005 RSX S 196K and a 2013 Civic Si 97K. Love the amenities.

The first couple of days I was trying to figure out how to drive this car after a stick for years. I'm 58 YO former jock with aching hips and knees and wanted to get into a cruiser, no more boy racers.

I work weekends and have a 100 mile round trip commute. Friday night was a brutal stop and go commute for 1/2 of it and I only got 24 mpg in Normal.

Today my commute at 4AM in and 5PM home was spent in Sport mode and Cruise Control at 73 MPH and the computer told me I got 30.8 MPG.

I found that Sport mode avoids a lot of the power sag after initial acceleration by just keeping your foot on the gas and steadily accelerating instead of a surge and backing off slightly on the pedal which allows the CVT to sag a bit before it catches up.

I believe I'm going to be fine with this performance using Sport Mode all the time, knowing how to get the best of both worlds, fuel efficiency and decent performance without hammering the pedal. It is truly a learning curve after 20 years with 6 speeds that require maintaining hi revs to get hi performance.

I concur

In normal mode, Nissan did an excellent job of softening the steering so that you can make those 400 mile interstate trips with using only one finger lightly placed on the steering wheel. Very relaxing, just like the old Lincoln Continentals from the 80's.

Always "Sport" mode for local driving

Lou

I agree! That is one of the nicest looking Maxima's I've seen. Well done

Lou

Beautiful car mikeymax17!! Do you have a ceramic coating on your paint?