[Minardi]

Am planning to take the NHC on a long drive. Have only been using D, P, R and N levers. Can anyone explain what does 'S' and 'L' stand for and when to use them? thx!

[aah78]

For regular driving, use D.

For a slightly faster throttle respone use S, as in Sport. Higher performance. Will help in hilly areas by limiting shifts.
Depending on transmission, the overdrive ratio may/may not be used - I'm not aware what happens in case of a CVT.

L stands for low ratios. This limits your transmission to the first 2 ratios - in some cases may use the first 3 ratios. The L mode is used in case you have trouble going up a very steep slope, or if you have trouble getting starting-traction on a slippery surface.
Will also help you in hilly terrain - more torque.

Note that your fuel consumption will be higher in both cases - using S & L.

[Minardi]

Thanks aah! In short, for less steep ghat section, use 'S' and for very steep (Ooty) ghats use 'L'? And I presume it can be changed on the fly without the need to stop the car. I am sorry if these questions sound dumb, but better to make it sure!

[DocG]

No, you can definately handle all the ghats in D...

L is rarely if ever needed [If you're stuck in traffic on an incline]
S will be fun on the ghats, as you'll see higher revs, but then again, not needed...

I've been driving an auto for 3 years now, rarely used the L or 2 as it is in my auto...[No S option]

[aah78]

Originally Posted by Minardi

Thanks aah! In short, for less steep ghat section, use 'S' and for very steep (Ooty) ghats use 'L'? And I presume it can be changed on the fly without the need to stop the car.

No problems.
Yes, additionally you can use S mode on curvy roads too.

The thing is you don't have to use S or L.

S will give you some faster acceleration - increase your shift limits (your upshifts will happen at a higher rpm, etc.).

The L, you don't need to use unless you feel the car is really having trouble moving / getting up a slope - it will also help you coming down a steep slope (engine braking), so you don't wear your brake pads out.

You can change between D & S on the fly - no problems.

For L, you'd better be doing a very slow speed - say around 10 - 15km/h. Any higher and there'll be a jerk and a sudden loss of speed as the engine begins revving at higher rpm.
(eg. imagine what'll happen if you're driving a manual transmission car in 5th gear at 60km/h and while slowing down, instead of shifting down into 4th, or 3rd, you shift by mistake into 2nd or 1st).