I just bought an 03 Civic Hybrid that didn't come with the owner's manual. I have one on order, but I'm hoping that someone can answer what I think is probably a very stupid question.

It's an automatic and I'm not sure what the "S" in PRNDSL is.

Can anyone help me out?


Thanks,


jimbo

second

Life's passions are best when shared....

I always thought "S" was for "Sport" since it has a little more low-end "oomph" and it disables the idle-stop (eliminating the launch delay from a stopped position). The CVT doesn't really have gears in the traditional sense. I'm not an engineer, so I could be totally wrong.

I also always thought it was for "Sport Mode" for the reasons Ashen indicated.

EDIT:

Whoops!!

I stand corrected. I looked it up in the owners manual and it says:

Second (S)-Selecting Second shifts the transmission into a lower range of ratios for better acceleration and increased engine braking. Use Second when you are going down a steep hill or in stop and go driving.

Low (L)-To shift to Low press the release button on the front of the shift lever. Use Low to get more power when climbing and for maximum engine braking...

Thanks very much for all the responses!

jimbo

It's not sport. It is second. As in second set of gear ratios (lower gears, which gives it a sporty feel).

The "S" is for "Sucks more gas" as some have discovered by getting terrible mileage on a trip, only to discover at the end they'd been in "S" the whole time by accident.

I use S all the time to slow the car down faster and get a better charge.