Hi Scotty! I've been binge-watching your videos and learning a lot. I hope to put to use to that information some day.
I bought a brand new 2021 Honda Civic Hatchback Sport with a CVT two months ago that I hope to keep for a really long time. It has a 1.5 Turbo, which (unfortunately) was the only engine option at the dealership lot when I bought this car. Maybe I'll get a used FK8 Type R some day, but I still have to learn to drive stick first. When that time comes around, I'd probably be in my late 40s or early 50s. 😆
For now, I get my kicks using the paddle shifters while zipping by in Sport Mode. So my question: if I drive almost exclusively in Sport Mode, would there be any adverse side-effects to the CVT in the long term compared to driving it in regular drive mode? I drive somewhat conservatively (compared to folks half my age) with a mix of city and highway driving.
Thanks a bunch!
A car driven in sport mode will have more wear than a car driven in normal mode. It just comes with the territory.
You put more strain on the engine because it is revving higher, strain on the transmission because instead of going into overdrive it holds gear for maximum acceleration, strain on the brakes.....basically everything. Not to mention you'll see a drop in MPG.
Sport mode is something to be played around with from time to time when conditions warrant it. Leaving it in sport mode and driving like a maniac will wear things out faster. Even driving "conservatively" in sport mode will wear things out faster than letting the computer run the car optimally.
My guess is you like Sport mode for the extra punch from the turbo. Well, in Sport mode the turbo is kept spooled up and creating boost, which will wear it prematurely as well. If you really drive conservatively, I don't think you'd be talking about running Sport mode all the time.
At any rate, to answer your question, yes, driving in Sport mode 100% of the time will wear the car out faster. Same for any car, particularly true of turbo cars.
Thanks Mod_Man for your insight. This is the first vehicle I have owned with a "Sport Mode" so I figured I'd ask. Since I'd like to keep this vehicle for a long time, I'll only enable Sport Mode on those rare occasions where I just want to go nuts. Otherwise, I'll let the computer do the shifting.