Does Sport Mode have any effect on steering?

[Grc]

Folks, I have a 2017 Octavia 1.5 DSG. I was wondering if the ‘Sport Mode’ actually changes the steering and makes it more heavy and stable at higher motorway speeds. Would it hold to the road better? Since at times I do feel the car is skittish at motorway speeds in Eco mode. Any thoughts or experiences? 

Edited 1 November, 2021 by Grc

[langers2k]

Sport mode should adjust the steering weight and make it feel heavier/more direct as it'll assist less. It's certainly noticeable in my vRS when changing the steering between normal and sport.

 

If the car is feeling skittish, that suggests a problem with the tyres, rims, suspension or alignment normally...

[ords]

Next time you feel it a bit skittish in eco mode, change to sports mode and see if there is any difference.

[KenONeill]

1 hour ago, Grc said:

I do feel the car is skittish at motorway speeds in Eco mode

Yeah, what are your actual tyre pressures? I've heard this before with people running so-called "eco" tyre pressures.

[paulski]

My 2.0 TDI Dsg certainly has much stiffer steering in sport mode and also in D compared to eco, I don't like eco steering at speed, it's a bit too twitchy

 

I also change from eco to D or S when on country roads for better confidence in tighter corners. 

 

 

[Grc]

Thanks for the responses folks. My tyre pressure is usually set to 32psi. 

I’ll try the steering in sport mode the next time I’m on the motorway and see if it makes a difference. Good to know that it stiffens up when in Sport mode. 

[varaderoguy]

Try blowing up the tyres to about 34psi and see if that takes out the wallowing of the steering. My Scout is hell on standard tyre pressures. About 35psi is my sweet spot.

[Ciderspace]

Without a doubt it helps. Had a 2015 SE-L and didn’t like the normal mode as felt I’d drift either side on the motorway. With sport mode enabled, it stopped, no question. 

[Swirly182]

For info, eco and normal driving modes have the same 'lighter' steering weight. As already said sport mode has noticeably more weight.

[rogerdyer]

Or change the settings in individual mode, sport steering, with other options as you want them.

[cheezemonkhai]

9 hours ago, rogerdyer said:

Or change the settings in individual mode, sport steering, with other options as you want them.

Which is exactly what I do. Eco engine mode, sports steering, everything else normal 👍