EX35 DS (Drive Sport) mode?

[joser122588]

Anyone ever drove in DS mode? Can we use that mode as our regular driving mode or is it just for special times?

[rayc325]

I use it all the time. But I like anything "sporty". It holds the rpm a little longer before shifting to give a little more power.

Of course the gas mileage might suffer a bit..

[kamiguy]

DS mode excels when you are on a twisting mountain or country road since it holds the gear a little longer. As mentioned, it does increase the fun factor a ton!

[SteveTheTech]

+1 fun

The DS mode and even sometimes manual mode, do add to the enjoyment of the EX, is handles most city type spirited driving with relative ease. I was impressed the first time I got to drive one and get into it a little, fuel economy would suffer but it's a give and take.

[AWGD8]

DS mode if you are too lazy to shift, but need more power on tap. (It`s like a

D mode on STERIOD)

I think the DS mode consumes more fuel than the manual or D.

I tried it once when I was merging in a 65MPH highway. I was on D mode at

50MPH when I shifted to DS and gas it, the car behind me on the left lane seems

like it wasn`t moving at all . Anyway, DS mode will shift before the

redline.

I tried to drive 65MPH along the interstate and tried all 3modes and the D

seems to be the fuel saver. It holds a little lower RPM than the rest while

cruising at 60-65MPH.

Here`s my driving mode % :

90% Manual mode9% D mode1% DS mode

[TomCH]

Today in the montains i used the DS mode and shif myself. This mode is very good to slow without brakes. On highway i use D mode.

[302@12psi]

Can you shift into the differet modes while driving? Meaning can you be in D on the highway at 55 and shift into DS?

[joser122588]

I doubt you can do that, I personally wouldnt do it. At first when i drove in ds mode for the first time i let my foot off the gas like you would in a manual transmission to put the clutch in and then figured out i didnt have to do it. My first experience driving in DS mode was pretty fun. Now thats the only way i drive the EX.

[AWGD8]

I doubt you can do that, I personally wouldnt do it. At first when i drove in ds mode for the first time i let my foot off the gas like you would in a manual transmission to put the clutch in and then figured out i didnt have to do it. My first experience driving in DS mode was pretty fun. Now thats the only way i drive the EX.

What are you guys talking about? You can always shift from D mode to DS or Manual even when the car is moving at 55MPH .

If you are coming from D mode and want a manual shifting. You shift it to DS and make sure you tap it up (Manual +).

I tried it a lot of times when driving at 60MPH from D mode and go to DS mode

or manual mode. WHen shifting from D to DS you kindda feel if you off a little

on the gas or gas more but totally not off the accelerator.

Page 5---12 Owners manual.
Modified by AWGD8 at 1:07 PM 10/13/2008

[AWGD8]

Can you shift into the differet modes while driving? Meaning can you be in D on the highway at 55 and shift into DS?

You can shift from D mode to DS mode since the DS mode will rev match whatever RPM you are in in the D mode. (Is that what rev matching DS mode is for?) This is what the Infiniti trans w/ manual gear box is designed for.Try cruising at 55mph on D mode and shift it to DS. You`ll see it rev match your RPM and you end up on the nice RPM torque curve. This is very good in abrupt passing manuever, since it will extract all the torque and Horsepower right up to the redline before it shift. Just be very careful sometimes when coming from D mode to DS mode and decided to manually shift it. Always make sure you tap it up or (+) bec. sometimes you`ll find yourself taping it down and RPM over revvs the engine.The best thing about this transmission is that it has fool proof protection mode.Sometimes when using the manual mode, you won`t be able to upshift bec.the RPM is to low to upshift. Like when you are driving 10 MPH and shift it to 3rd or 4th gear- I think it won`t let you do it.

[joser122588]

Like when you are driving 10 MPH and shift it to 3rd or 4th gear- I think it won`t let you do it.

My question is do you have to downshift (while driving manual) when slowing down or does the transmission automatically does it for you???

[AWGD8]

If going to a stop less than 10 MPH I it will come down to 1st gear at full stop.

I try not to rely on auto down shift since I`m sure when you just slow down let

say 40MPH at 4th gear and goes down to 25 MPH, it will not downshift it for you.

So I do it myself bec. when something happens and you needed to accelerate

as quick as possible, you`ll be in the right rpm to accelerate.

I haven`t really pay attention when coming to a full stop from 5th ---> 1st

if the transmission down shift by gear depending on the speed it decelerate. All I

know when I`m rolling at 5mph to full stop, the gear goes back to 1st. But I

did remember seeing 2nd gear though. I have to pay attention next time.

[CaribMon71]

I haven't read my manual, and when I asked about a "Sport" mode on the transmission, the salesman told me that Infiniti vehicles were "Sport" tuned from the factory.

But now I'm reading this and I see there is, in fact, a "Sport" mode. I've looked high and low for a transmission switch or an "S" on the shifer.

Can someone please tell me how to engage or activate this mode? I got half a mind to take the rest of the day off to play with this mode.

Ok, so where are the twisties in Arlington??? Do we even have any?

Thanks!

[dividedhighw]

Can someone please tell me how to engage or activate this mode?

From the Drive position, just pull the shifter left towards the driver, to where you would normally do manual shifting, BUT without shifting up or down, and you'll see the dash display change from D (Drive) to DS (Drive Sport).

HTH,David

[CaribMon71]

Thanks! Uh, boss... I just remembered.... I have an appointment.

Can't believe it was that easy.

[AWGD8]

I thought DS mode is (Drive on Steriod mode?)

Pls. be careful using the DS mode. Just leave it on D. I know ! , I know !

It`s tempting.

[EX35_bernard]

Test drove the EX for the 2nd time today and this time the salesguy didnt bother coming with us. So I get to really stretch the cars muscles (does it have any). I have to say I'm impressed. I try DS mode and felt the power. (Test drove the G37 too so I know) And I don't know why people say the exhaust is not loud, I think otherwise. It's a sweet sound. Compare that to the competition (X3, RDX)and it easily is the best out there.

Anyway back to the DS mode, I tried downshifting and late upshifts, got close to redline although I was just making quick glimpses as the street was quite busy also not used to the shifter yet paddles will be a lot better. It was also 60 km/h only so I was trying hard to stay in the zone. One time I was surprised I was at 80 already. So had to back off.Really impressed I also was able to do hard (harder than normal) turns and I can say it turns just sharp enough to make you slide off your seat.

Overall I was really impressed. Can't wait to get one. Just trying to get the best deal availabl at the moment.

[Cobra427]

Question to all EX35 owners.

When I put the shifter in DS mode my transmission is not down shifting.which is contrary to what is stated in the NICO EX35 review and road test.

"DS mode wholly changes the temperament of the EX as it immediately drops you to 4th gear and begins to rev-match for better performance. "

Is this normal?

Ted

[AWGD8]

Question to all EX35 owners.

When I put the shifter in DS mode my transmission is not down shifting.which is contrary to what is stated in the NICO EX35 review and road test.

"DS mode wholly changes the temperament of the EX as it immediately drops you to 4th gear and begins to rev-match for better performance. "

Is this normal?

Ted

Basically, the transmission is downshifting when the rpm could no longer hold that low speed of a travel. Although, the transmission already downshifted, it will stay more on the 2,500-3000k RPM for better torque anticipation or beginning of the torque curve. You might not notice it downshifting bec. it tries to rev match your speed. If your at 50MPH and cruising, the rpm will probably around 3k and if in 40 , 30, 20 or 10mph, it`s still be around 2.5k or 3k it will rev match your speed, and you might think it doesn`t downshifted.

[dividedhighw]

A big Canadian welcome to NICO, Cobra427!!

DS mode will be more responsive and hold gears longer under heavy acceleration. Whether or not it downshifts immediately depends totally on your current speed and the position of the accelerator.

HTH,David

[jmess]

Actually the first thing that happens when you go into DS is a shift out of overdrive (unlocks the torque converter). I will often shift from D to DS on the highway so I can slow the car down a bit without hitting the brakes. It gives you a small amount of engine based braking. Once I have slowed down I move it back to D. If I need slow down even more then I will manually downshift while in DS. I like this feature a lot.

[Cobra427]

Thank you all for your responses.When I shift to DS at any speed there is no downshifting even with gas pedal depressed. I do watch the RPM gage to see if there is any change in RPM of the motor.My previous vehicle was 2005 Murano and when I pressed, the sport mode button at any speed, there was an immediate down shift and increase in RPM.My EX35 is very early production model and I was wondering if I need a software update to have the same response as described by you guys.Your help is much appreciated.

[BrokenTiller]

I believe the Murano has a CVT (Continous Variable Transmission) that uses software mapping to mimic shift points. Without that, it would just purr along at the same optimum rpm while the CVT varies the drive output. It doesn't actually "shift" gears. Very different transmission than the Infiniti.

[ayap888]

I doubt you can do that, I personally wouldnt do it. At first when i drove in ds mode for the first time i let my foot off the gas like you would in a manual transmission to put the clutch in and then figured out i didnt have to do it. My first experience driving in DS mode was pretty fun. Now thats the only way i drive the EX.

Nahhh .... I do that all the time. Running at 65 on D mode, then shift to DS mode to so I could blast to 85mph-90mph in a heartbeat.

[aft981]

Yeah the Murano does have CVT. My prior vehicle was an 04 Murano SE, which had the 'manual' option. The computer 'invented' 6 gears when you put it in manual mode, it obviously wasn't the same as having real gears, but it did the trick. Actually one of the reasons I didn't go for the new Murano and got the EX instead, they did away with the SE model (which had stiffer suspension and the 'manual' mode on the box). I also didn't like the redesigned exterior - the new grille I wasn't overly fond of, plus the rear end now looks like every other SUV out there, I loved the stacked taillights on the older model. Also didn't like the new interior, the top of the range only came with wood inside, which looked horrible and fake. Then I drove the EX and fell in love.

I digress. I use DS about 25% of the time, it's one of the better sports modes that I've come across in many cars that I've driven. Love the way if you brake before you go round a corner or something, it downshifts at exactly the right time I would have done if I had a proper manual box.