Civic SI sport button

Sport mode is always on. It is only out of sport mode for the 1-2 seconds after I start my car.

It's more or less muscle memory for me anymore... Get in the car, hit the Start button, hit the Sport button, hit the Brake Hold button.

Captaindicki said:

Sport mode? In Toronto? LOL. It’s virtually always off. Our roads are pure shit for performance cars. It may be on for a couple minutes, but then it gets turned off

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i use sport mode when i am downtown toronto just to keep it from bottoming out. rougher ride but safer for the undercarriage.

natice04 said:

IMO, this button is a gimmick and I really don’t find the need to make the switch to sport mode, so I stay in comfort mode 99% of the time.

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if you watch boost gage you will see a few more psi on hard pulls with the sport button pressed. no gimmick there.

natice04 said:

IMO, this button is a gimmick and I really don’t find the need to make the switch to sport mode, so I stay in comfort mode 99% of the time.

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Correct me if I'm wrong, but in using the word "gimmick", I assume you are suggesting it is a marketing trick / ploy to draw enthusiasts to the car, but that it really doesn't do anything?
I would argue that is not true, and that the sport button does noticeably change the steering / accelerator / and suspension tuning. To me, that is not a gimmick, but a fun perk that sets it apart from other Civics (excluding the Type R).

Lukifer said:

Correct me if I'm wrong, but in using the word "gimmick", I assume you are suggesting it is a marketing trick / ploy to draw enthusiasts to the car, but that it really doesn't do anything?
I would argue that is not true, and that the sport button does noticeably change the steering / accelerator / and suspension tuning. To me, that is not a gimmick, but a fun perk that sets it apart from other Civics (excluding the Type R).

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Gimmick in the fact that the car should not have a sport/comfort mode and the fact that the car should always stay in the mode it was last put it.
The sport button/switch/mode should be your right foot, not a toggle switch. Drive fast when you get the urge. Not, let me put my car in sport mode, then drive with more spirit.
With all that being said, the sport mode does change the characteristics of the car, but not enough to actually have a switch/mode. I’m fine being in comfort mode 99% of the time, and I would be fine with sport mode 99% of the time if the car came that way from factory. So to me it’s unnecessary and “gimmicky” and I never find myself saying, “I need to switch to sport mode”.

thatonedaveguy said:

To each their own.

It would hurt the practicality/daily drivability of the car if we had to leave it with a firm/harsh suspension at all times with no way to change it.

It would hurt the fun factor of the car if we had to leave it fluffy and bouncy at all times with no way to change it.

A button gives you the best of both worlds with zero drawbacks.

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Agreed - I don't understand the arguments for why cars should not have various drive-modes (unless the tuning isn't good in the first place, THEN it's a problem).

I wouldn't have my Si if I didn't want a sporty car, but I like the option to take it easy when I don't feel like enduring the rougher ride or stiffer steering. Even the relaxed throttle response is nice when I'm trying to save fuel.

natice04 said:

Gimmick in the fact that the car should not have a sport/comfort mode and the fact that the car should always stay in the mode it was last put it.
The sport button/switch/mode should be your right foot, not a toggle switch. Drive fast when you get the urge. Not, let me put my car in sport mode, then drive with more spirit.
With all that being said, the sport mode does change the characteristics of the car, but not enough to actually have a switch/mode. I’m fine being in comfort mode 99% of the time, and I would be fine with sport mode 99% of the time if the car came that way from factory. So to me it’s unnecessary and “gimmicky” and I never find myself saying, “I need to switch to sport mode”.

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Somewhat agree. As it is, the suspension difference is the primary practical difference. If you are going to have a "sport" button, my preference would be that there be a bigger difference in tune between the two modes. Specifically, I would want non-sport mode to maximize mpg, even if car felt like (relatively) sluggish. And sport mode to be k-tuner lively.

MCD said:

Hi,

I purchased my 2018 SI in September. As for Mods not really planning any but I was curious how often people actually engage the sport mode? Daily? only on a nice twisty road?

Thanks

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I engage it for improved cornering, or when I am about to hit a roundabout, cloverleafs, etc. and want maximum safe car control. And fun. Otherwise a bit harsh for my commute. I notice the chassis
is so good that even with the Sport button off it will still drive well, just not as tight as I like it. On a bumpy road Sport mode will beat you up, on smooth roads not too bad. Worth it.

Vmac said:

Somewhat agree. As it is, the suspension difference is the primary practical difference. If you are going to have a "sport" button, my preference would be that there be a bigger difference in tune between the two modes. Specifically, I would want non-sport mode to maximize mpg, even if car felt like (relatively) sluggish. And sport mode to be k-tuner lively.

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This is why I feel 3-modes are ideal for most cars. In the case of the above, many people might want something in-between.

For $25k though I will gladly take the two modes on the Si.

Vmac said:

Somewhat agree. As it is, the suspension difference is the primary practical difference. If you are going to have a "sport" button, my preference would be that there be a bigger difference in tune between the two modes. Specifically, I would want non-sport mode to maximize mpg, even if car felt like (relatively) sluggish. And sport mode to be k-tuner lively.

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Couldn't agree more, I consider it to be the jiggly boobs button more than anything which is still a great feature

I could be wrong but i tend to notice my MPG is a lot better when im NOT in sport mode. Cant tell if thats because I tend to drive harder in sport mode hmmmm lol

natice04 said:

IMO, this button is a gimmick and I really don’t find the need to make the switch to sport mode, so I stay in comfort mode 99% of the time.

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You're not the only one that feels that way lol.

The modes do feel very similar unless you're pushing the car hard. The tighter valving in the dampers allows less fluid to circulate between the chambers, and slows the vehicle's roll/pitch from sudden steering or braking inputs. Combined with lifting the VSA nanny, it's quite noticeable.

The HFP unit has stiffer springs and a wider variance in the damping parameters. In everyday driving the modes are much more noticeable.