What does S mean on gear shift Honda Fit?
The S on the Honda Fit gear selector stands for Sport. It activates a sportier throttle response and shift behavior, giving the car a quicker, more aggressive feel. This is not a separate gear; it’s a mode that changes how the transmission and engine respond.
In practical terms, Sport mode is most useful for overtaking, highway merging, or driving on hilly terrain where you want more immediate power. It can reduce fuel economy compared with the normal Drive setting, and its exact behavior varies between models and markets. The L position remains for low gear use or enhanced engine braking on steep descents.
What Sport mode does in the Honda Fit
The following points describe the common effects you’ll notice when you toggle S in a Fit that uses a CVT or modern automatic transmission.
- The throttle response becomes more immediate, so the car feels quicker to react to press-and-go input.
- Transmission logic shifts or simulates gear steps to keep engine RPM higher, aiming for quicker acceleration and more responsive power delivery.
- Fuel economy can decrease compared with standard D/Drive driving, especially in city traffic or when you drive aggressively.
- The feel of “shift points” may be perceptible as the engine stays in a higher RPM range longer, even though the car isn’t shifting through traditional gears.
In summary, S changes how the Fit responds to your throttle input and how aggressively it uses engine power, with the trade-off of potential higher fuel consumption. If you’re after relaxed, efficient cruising, D (Drive) is usually preferable; if you want more immediate acceleration, S is the better choice.
When to use S versus D
These guidelines can help you decide when Sport mode is beneficial and when to drive normally for efficiency.
- Use S for overtaking on highways, merging into faster traffic, or climbing hills where you want quicker response.
- Avoid using S for normal city driving or long highway trips if you’re prioritizing fuel economy.
- In CVT-equipped Fits, S can feel notably different from D, especially during rapid throttle input; test-drive to see if you prefer the feel.
For daily commuting and fuel-conscious driving, sticking with Drive (D) is typically the best balance. Switch to S only when you need a more responsive engine feel or when conditions demand quicker acceleration.
Availability and notes
Sport mode is generally available on most automatic Fits (including CVT versions). Manual transmissions do not have an S position. If your model year or market uses a different labeling, the function—more immediate throttle response and higher RPM behavior—remains the core idea. Always reference your owner's manual for model-year-specific details.
Summary
In short, S on the Honda Fit stands for Sport. It enhances throttle response and shifts behavior to provide a brisker, more dynamic driving feel, at the cost of lower fuel efficiency. Use it when you want quicker acceleration, and revert to D for normal, economical driving.
