Sport button on and Sport button off

[mcbeee]

I have a 3.0si convertible and I have been keeping an eye on my fuel consumption for the past couple of weeks and been doing a comparison...

Basically I have been doing the same exact journeys and have been alternating between having the Sport button on and with it off..

The conclusion is that with the Sport button off my average MPG is 31 ish ... But with Sport button on its 33 ish..

I have been trying my best to keep to the same speed and driving styles etc in both modes ..but always when I have the Sport button on it is definitely better on fuel...

Has anyone else noticed this..?

My E89 35i was the same, similar roads and driving (cruise control on), better mpg in Sport than when in normal.

 

[paulgs1000]

Maybe less steering assistance (=less power drawn) + more use of torque in higher gears vs. revs in lower gears? It's also easier to pulse & glide (a hypermiling technique) with the Sport button on.

Some or all of the above may be utter bollocks.

+1 on this

But whats pulse and glide? (hypermiling technique?)

Could it be that you are utilising the performance of the car in Sport less than when in 'non' sport mode? Subconsciously driving in the same way but actually with a lighter throttle use?

 

[MrPT]

But whats pulse and glide? (hypermiling technique?)

It is supposed to involve using bursts of throttle between periods of coasting (in neutral, if it's an older car) to maintain momentum. Doesn't exactly apply to what we are talking about, but tenuously, Sport mode probably lends itself more to this way of driving as you don't have to mash the peddle to get a "pulse".

 

[mcbeee]

Could it be that you are utilising the performance of the car in Sport less than when in 'non' sport mode? Subconsciously driving in the same way but actually with a lighter throttle use?

Nope, can't say for the others but I tested using cruise control on the same 60 mile piece of highway with very minimal driver input. I think it's the increased throttle response and therefore less deviation in speed. Let's say I was surprised

 

[y3putt]

But do you realy care that much, if so there's are Audi TT TDI out there, with you name on it.

Hey steady now... I came from an Audi TT to get a proper sports car..don,t think I will be going back somehow.. :lol:

I just thought it strange that in Sports mode driving like for like it is better on fuel...If I drive the car enthusiastically in Sport mode then no it's not as economical..but as a like for like comparison ....better..

 

[cj10jeeper]

Forgetting E89's (as I know nothing about them) and autos (as they burn fuel in sport) for a minute the sport button on a manual does nothing whatsoever other than change the amount of throttle movement from closed to WOT and slightly reduces the power steering input.

Since the Power steering is electrical and needs so little energy then we can eliminate that as not material.

We are therefore left with only 2 or 3 alternatives if we really believe there has been an improvement in economy (which I doubt if measured correctly and scientifically):

1) The driver alters their style of driving and is trying without knowing to prove something. Almost always happens.
2) Because the throttle is way more sensitive the driver learns to hold it much steadier and not slightly press and release wasting fuel, which in 'normal' you'd not notice, but would in 'sport' and thus correct the habit.

...and the one I'd be looking to as the answer:
3) The old accelerate briskly then spend longer in a given high gear saves fuel. Using sport you're more likely to get to cruising speed quickly then stick at it.

Just my 2p worth

As an aside coasting out of gear on a modern car uses more fuel Vs overrunning as coasting causes fuel to be injected to prevent the engine stalling wheras on overrun it's shut off.

 

[buzyg]

But do you realy care that much, if so there's are Audi TT TDI out there, with you name on it.

Hey steady now... I came from an Audi TT to get a proper sports car..don,t think I will be going back somehow.. :lol:

I just thought it strange that in Sports mode driving like for like it is better on fuel...If I drive the car enthusiastically in Sport mode then no it's not as economical..but as a like for like comparison ....better..

Time to try an M then.

Have to admit to a steady 65 and 34 mpg on motorways and duel carrage ways. Make up for it on the twisty bits though.

 

[bcworkz]

I also found something similar on mine... But then i also record my mpg by the fuely app whenever i fill up and its the same!

So recon its just the obc miscalculating.

Thank you! The only plausible explanation. And hard evidence to back it up.

 

[mus_oz]

I am new here but i have to agree with this. Given that im driving very economical on both modes, on a motorway drive, at ~70mph, i get better fuel consumption with Sport mode on. :/

 

[Breadvan]

I tried this out in a completely non scientific way, sport button on and off each for hundreds of miles and no perceivable difference in mpg, but I do prefer the response with it on, more smiles per gallon :roll: h

 

[Breadvan]

I tried this out in a completely non scientific way, sport button on and off each for hundreds of miles and no perceivable difference in mpg, but I do prefer the response with it on, more smiles per gallon :roll: h

 

[RobJJZ4]

But do you realy care that much, if so there's are Audi TT TDI out there, with you name on it.

Hey steady now... I came from an Audi TT to get a proper sports car..don,t think I will be going back somehow.. :lol:

I just thought it strange that in Sports mode driving like for like it is better on fuel...If I drive the car enthusiastically in Sport mode then no it's not as economical..but as a like for like comparison ....better..

Wasn't there a sensible merc inbetween??

 

[dan425]

The problem is that when I push that magical button, my foot just gets heavier and I tend to "hoon" it a bit more, so I wouldn't like to see what the difference in fuel consumption was!