[chenry]

so typically the DS mode in cars allows the engine to rev higher before shifting up...holds gears longer and downshifts more aggressively when throttle is applied. It also (depending on the car) can make throttle tip in more aggressive and impact the steering sensitivity and/or ratio etc etc etc...

All that being said when it comes to our diesels....what does the DS mode do? I mean I don’t think I want the car revving higher etc...given the fact that the torque is down low / set me straight, enlighten me

Thanks All

[E90Company]

I would assume it shifts more often

JK, I'm not sure.

[DnA Diesel]

DS generally keeps the engine around the 2000-2500 band...right where the 425 ft-lbs are sitting.

[scott135i]

DS, typically, keeps the car one gear lower than in D mode. D mode, while cruising, will maximize fuel economy. DS will keep the car in a gear, one lower than where it would be in D, and as stated above, closer to, if not directly in the start/meat of the car's powerband (especially for the diesel's which make more power down low vs. a NA car).

Fuel economy will be slightly worse driving around in DS, all else equal, but smiles and happiness will be greater, which is a no-brainer trade-off. You may also put more wear and tear on your rear tires if laying into the throttle hard and smoking them - but who am I to judge.


FWIW, I personally don't notice shifting to be faster in D vs DS in the 335d. BUT, in my last car, a 2008 135i, I found there to be a tremendous difference. The 335d, and even 335i for some reason (which makes me unhappy), shift slower than the 135i. I have videos to prove it somewhere on my hard drive, if anyone is curious.....

[cschmelz]

Originally Posted by scott135i

FWIW, I personally don't notice shifting to be faster in D vs DS in the 335d. BUT, in my last car, a 2008 135i, I found there to be a tremendous difference. The 335d, and even 335i for some reason (which makes me unhappy), shift slower than the 135i. I have videos to prove it somewhere on my hard drive, if anyone is curious.....

I also do not feel it shifts FASTER but in most cases it does sit a gear lower in DS vs D. It appears from my observations this results in about a 3mpg lower average fuel economy....

At high speeds (70+mph) D equals DS.

[Ron1n]

Originally Posted by scott135i

DS, typically, keeps the car one gear lower than in D mode. D mode, while cruising, will maximize fuel economy. DS will keep the car in a gear, one lower than where it would be in D, and as stated above, closer to, if not directly in the start/meat of the car's powerband (especially for the diesel's which make more power down low vs. a NA car).

Fuel economy will be slightly worse driving around in DS, all else equal, but smiles and happiness will be greater, which is a no-brainer trade-off. You may also put more wear and tear on your rear tires if laying into the throttle hard and smoking them - but who am I to judge.


FWIW, I personally don't notice shifting to be faster in D vs DS in the 335d. BUT, in my last car, a 2008 135i, I found there to be a tremendous difference. The 335d, and even 335i for some reason (which makes me unhappy), shift slower than the 135i. I have videos to prove it somewhere on my hard drive, if anyone is curious.....

The shift speeds have been discussed ad nauseam. Unless you have an actual SPORT button in your car, the shifts aren't faster, they're just at different times. I'll happily dig up the thread regarding this.

[hotrod2448]

I'm assuming it has more to do with the throttle mapping than anything with the trans but, I do notice throttle tip in (time from hitting gas to vehicle actually accelerating) to be considerably better in both the d and X5 when in DS.

[Coolieman1220]

it holds gears a bit longer for more aggressive driving, I RARELY use DS mode in the d

[DnA Diesel]

Originally Posted by hotrod2448

I'm assuming it has more to do with the throttle mapping than anything with the trans but, I do notice throttle tip in (time from hitting gas to vehicle actually accelerating) to be considerably better in both the d and X5 when in DS.

Yes, forgot to mention that, but agree - less electronic throttle lag.