Legal Disclaimer: ***I searched but didn't find anything***:thumbsup:

I'm picking up my new CTS tomorrow....can anyone give me a quick synopsis of what the "sport mode" does? Does it simply extend how long the slushbox holds the gears? Does it quicken the shift times? Etc.....TIA

VERY VERY slightly longer, its pretty much useless IE Same shift points/firmness ect :(

Our TCM tune makes it actually do something though..

Thanks. That sounds a lot like the Steptronic in my BMW....it makes the tranny more quick to downshift but doesn't do much else....

VERY VERY slightly longer, its pretty much useless IE Same shift points/firmness ect :(

Our TCM tune makes it actually do something though..

That's actually not true- the Sport mode will detect "performance" driving and completely alter the behavior of the transmission. Example:

Accelerating from 0 to 60 on a straight line, you lift off the gas, brake and turn through a tight corner. The transmission would normally shift to 5 or 6 during the "off throttle" time in the corner, and when you reapply the throttle you would need to wait for a downshift.

In Sport mode, the hard acceleration followed by a throttle lift would tell the computer to hold the gear you're in (probably second) through the corner- this gives you better ability to steer the car with the throttle in the corner (since the RPMs are still high) and better acceleration without the need for a downshift at corner exit.

When in Sport mode and performance driving is detected, the computer will oftentimes even give you downshift during braking or cornering for this same purpose, but it usually takes one or two corners on a twisty road before the PCM logic figures out that you're really attacking some corners.

Try it out- you'll like it. Keep the Stabilitrak on, be safe and have some fun. :thumbsup:

I may have to take the CTS up my favorite Corvette road just to try it. Not to worry, I won't crash the new CTS.

What Caddy Tony says is spot on - it does make a big difference, but you have to drive at least moderately hard for it to understand you really want the performance-style shifts and gear holds. Then if you've decided to settle down and drive like an average joe, it takes awhile for it to understand that and resume a more normal style of shifting. When you drive it really hard, the gear-holding can be really impressive. Sport mode has not disappointed me at all.

I agree with the statement above. The sport mode does make a difference. I tested it.

It makes a difference in gear holds other than that the points/firmness ect are identical for street/drag use the sport mode is usless to me (I should have clarified that LOL)

I wanted something that could be used for a seperate shift schedule AND track use so for me it was useless since nothing really changed other than downshifts and gear hold time. For example slightly higher shift points, less TM and firmer shifts. Thats what I was getting at, the "sport" mode isnt as sporty as I would personally like :)
What IS interesting is the rev matching on the TUTD mode that is pretty cool :D

That'll teach me to make a post in haste and not explain my reasons LOL

What is TUTD Mode?

GTPprix
I did not misunderstand you. I was just making a point that ther eis a difference. Maybe not as much as you would like but for more spirited driving it is most likely sufficient.

Now, you still did not answer my question - can you make the change to sport mode only? Will it affect reliability? Longevity? How much it cost? How easy is it done? Do you have to have the car or is it an add on mod?

TUTD is Tap up/Tap Down

GTPprix
I did not misunderstand you. I was just making a point that ther eis a difference. Maybe not as much as you would like but for more spirited driving it is most likely sufficient.

Now, you still did not answer my question - can you make the change to sport mode only? Will it affect reliability? Longevity? How much it cost? How easy is it done? Do you have to have the car or is it an add on mod?

Oh sorry :) Still early here :) Yes it can be assigned to Sport or TUTD or both. It wont affect longevity really we only remove about 50% of the upshift TM and since its assigned a mode other than Normal it shouldnt be used all day :) Right now we need the car to do it but I'm working on a loader for it so you dont have to bring the car. Ideally I'd release that after we are done hacking the Bosch ECM.

GTPprix

now you talking! :) Thanks for the info. I would be interested in changing the Sport mode and most likely Manual. Let me know when you finish. I live in Atlanta so travel to you location is rather difficult. But if I could do it using "loader" you mentioned...hm.tempting....;)

Thats the plan and its how i have it setup on my car right now :) I do make it south quite a bit, next time I travel I'll post up if anyone wants it done. Hopefully by then I'll have the ECM done for a nice well rounded package that works good on a road course AND a drag strip :D

Hey I learned something on this thread, thanks. I didn't realize the transmission had three modes, I better go read the entire manual this time. :D

Hey I learned something on this thread, thanks. I didn't realize the transmission had three modes, I better go read the entire manual this time. :D

You must be an engineer, wo never read maunals, do we? ;)

Problem is the owners manual mentions sport and DSC modes but does not describe everything that is affected. Is this documented somewhere (yes I looked at the forum FAQ). I want to run in sport mode generally but I want to know if that is a problem in the long run (leased, gotta be at least a little concerned).
rg

Problem is the owners manual mentions sport and DSC modes but does not describe everything that is affected. Is this documented somewhere (yes I looked at the forum FAQ). I want to run in sport mode generally but I want to know if that is a problem in the long run (leased, gotta be at least a little concerned).
rg

My guess is that nothing would suffer, other than fuel economy

Does anyone else find it difficult to shift to sport mode when the tranny is cold? It seems like it takes a lot of effort, and seems to ease up when the car is warm. I would have figured though that it's simply a computer switch when you move the shifter, no linkage involved, so it's weird..

Does anyone else find it difficult to shift to sport mode when the tranny is cold? It seems like it takes a lot of effort, and seems to ease up when the car is warm. I would have figured though that it's simply a computer switch when you move the shifter, no linkage involved, so it's weird..

No issues with that here, but then cold in SoCal isn't as cold as Boston.

Have not noticed any issues. Shifts into sport mode with little effort cold or warm.

Revelation! (at least for me). is this well known? is this worthy of a new thread?
BMW uses the GM 6L50 6spd auto in its cars.
rg

Hey guys thanks! I did not even know about Sport Mode. You made me go back and read the manual. Discovered you were right :thumbsup:

Everytime I ask my kid a computer question he says to me "RTFM dad"

Hey guys thanks! I did not even know about Sport Mode. You made me go back and read the manual. Discovered you were right :thumbsup:

Everytime I ask my kid a computer question he says to me "RTFM dad"

The reason the mfg. goes to the trouble to write the manual, is because it has information in it, that is needed to operate the equipment I have written many.

That is kinda ironic. I too have written many manuals and procedures and I get a bit perturbed when the intended beneficiary does not read them. however being an engineer I prefer to find out for myself how the stuff works. reading the friendly manual is only a last resort.
rg
the engr

Revelation! (at least for me). is this well known? is this worthy of a new thread?
BMW uses the GM 6L50 6spd auto in its cars.
rg

Yep! This is the same transmission...

Revelation! (at least for me). is this well known? is this worthy of a new thread?
BMW uses the GM 6L50 6spd auto in its cars.
rg

Not all BMWs... Look to see where the Tranny is made. GM has opened a factory in Straussberg. They plan to sell to many european cars and trucks. Some BMWs still have a German Tranny, maybe Gettrag or something.

Way to go GM, though! Very globally minded...