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The abbreviation "DS" in your Nissan Altima stands for "Drive Sport" and enhances the shifting experience for a more dynamic and engaging drive, especially when tackling hills or navigating winding roads. Engaging the DS mode will make driving along curved roads feel more exciting and responsive. Additionally, in DS mode, you will experience smoother acceleration and deceleration when going up or down inclines as the car automatically adjusts to a lower gear. By switching to Sport or "DS" mode, the driving experience is transformed with adjustments in throttle response, steering feel, and shift points. This mode increases throttle sensitivity, giving a more lively sensation when pressing the gas pedal, and firms up the rear suspension for improved cornering ability. To activate Sport mode, shift the lever to "DS", and to return to normal driving mode, switch it back to "D".
The Ds on the Nissan Altima represents Drive Sport mode, which is designed to give your automatic transmission a more manual-like feel.
My 2014 Nissan Altima has unexpectedly started activating sports mode instead of staying in normal drive, even though the gear lever is in the D position. The sports light turns on and the throttle response feels different. Is there a way to turn off the sports mode?
If you frequently use drive (D) mode, it's advisable to have your transmission flushed every 3 years or at 60,000 miles. Some even suggest doing it more frequently due to the continuous use in drive mode, especially with a CVT transmission, as they can accumulate a lot of residue. Initially, I suspected my transmission was failing because it wouldn't shift gears, but after consulting a Nissan technician, I was advised to drive in drive (D) mode at 40 mph and maintain a steady speed while monitoring the RPMs. If the RPMs stay between 1 and 2, a transmission flush is needed. If the RPMs rise, then a new transmission may be necessary. I hope this advice helps others experiencing similar issues.