So took a drive this weekend. Have about 1550 miles on it and trying to get past the magical 2000. Anyway, been playing with Sport mode, and very occasionally Sport Plus, on the highway. I have also been varying the RPM by downshifting from 7 to 6 and 5. Have always used automatic mode to this point and have not tried manual yet. Anyway, decided to change to Sport Plus at a light and the car revved to past 5K without shifting and stayed in 1st gear. Keep in mind I was in automatic mode. Shouldn't the car have shifted way before 5-6K? I know that Sport Plus is aggressive, but still would have thought it would have up shifted sooner? I did not wait to find out when it would shift as I went back to Sport mode.

 

In Sport Plus mode, with the shifter in auto, the car will only up shift almost at redline. It will not shift any sooner. If you're going to play around with Sport Plus during the break-in period you will have to put it in manual to stay bow the recommended rpm.

 

Sport Plus is the mode you select when you are being chased by a bunch of lunatic zombies. In this mode there is no faffing around. Unless you are standing still, RPM is held at a minimum of 4000-5000, just at the start of the proper power band. Thus there is zero time wasted getting there when you floor it. Just accept 4000 RPM as being "idle speed" and you get the idea.
It's a tad strained for "normal" driving and not intended for that (unless of course you are always chased by said zombies).
Sport in manual mode with the flappies or in automatic with occasional manual input is just fine. I consider "sport" the "normal" mode.

Rainier

 

Thanks guys for the input!

Rainier - now I REALLY know what to do if chased by zombies (or ex girlfriends!!)

 

I'm also in breakin mode with only 200 miles. I regularly change (when oil temp at 185'F and above) to sport and sport+. This is while in auto mode and manual mode. If using either sport or sport+ I always upshift before 4200 at this point. The reason for using those as it makes it very easy to vary the engine speeds both in town and on the highway. Besides the exhaust (PSE) sound, especially with the top down, is energizing! And yes, in sport+ auto mode it won't shift until way up near the redline.

John in Vancouver

 

Is there a rule for oil temp to be at certain value before you engage sport or sport+ ??? I typically do sport when it reaches 100F...is that an issue? Ill check with service mgr as well..

 

My underdstanding which was confirmed by Service Manager at Porsche dealership yesterday is that the car shouldn't be pushed at all until oil temperature is getting close to operating temperature. The dealership advises that while the water temperature gets to normal quickly it can take a while for oil temp to get to operating which is in the 185'F and higher range.

I have X51 so when I put it into Sport or Sport+ it opens the central radiator at front (the 3rd one) thus making it more difficult to get to oil operating temperature.

John in Vancouver

 

I did notice that, in Sport+ and auto, when I upshifted to keep revs low, the car would automatically downshift to get the revs back up. The car just want to GO in Sport+.

 

I had a similar experience on my test drive. I was doing 72 in the left lane in 2d gear and the car would not shift into third. I could not go faster because of traffic and the tach was just under the red line. I had to hit the paddle to get it to go to third. It does not want to downshift until it has to (red line) or unless it can drop you back down into the center of the power band.

I do love the way it feathers the "clutch" automatically when down shifting...so cool.

 

The greatest thing about sport plus is how hard it shifts. Wait until you can do a 1-2 redline shift.

 

Sport+ on winding mountain roads in 2/3 @ 4500-5500 with your PDK is an experience you will never forget.

Of course with PSE engaged as well......

 

Yes, in sport + the car shifts only on the red line. The mode is designed to extract maximum performance from the car, which it does. It is not overkill. In fact I regularly use it and need it. When you are in the mood to just let loose (under safe conditions) this is the mode for you. It's a blast. The other two modes really are slow in comparison. I would feel my car is disabled or neutered without this feature.
Have fun and drive safely!
BTW, I have 25,000 kms on mine and I used sport + from day one. I am not in the break in camp.

 

Been there, done that on a rental 991S in Germany last fall with PSE open obviously. It's what made my wife say "you should buy one of these!" I did and got it last Friday.

John in Vancouver

 

Makes sense! Thanks. I'll check this too.

 

Who is smiling more you or your wife????