[gatorfast]

I have noticed that the PSE behavior appears to be different depending on whether the car is in sport vs normal mode. For example, if I am in normal mode and then hit the PSE button I really dont notice much of a difference in exhaust volume even though PSE is enabled. But, as soon as I hit the sport button the exhaust instantly opens up and is clearly louder. So my question is - what exactly does enabling PSE do in normal mode? Is it just kind of an in between setting compared to normal and no PSE vs sport mode?

 

[InTgr8r]

In normal what you are (not) hearing is the difference in the ECU mapping for a more conservative tune (economy)
Also, sport mode is the only selection where you get pops and crackles.

 

[gatorfast]

Yes I definitely hear the difference with the pops/burbles in sport. But moreover than just the sound is the actual volume which I assume is primarily driven by the valve position. It seems like when I hit the sport button I can hear the valves instantly open as it gets much louder and deeper in the cabin. Whereas if I just hit the PSE button in normal mode there is no audible difference .

 

[CaymanMatt]

Yes I definitely hear the difference with the pops/burbles in sport. But moreover than just the sound is the actual volume which I assume is primarily driven by the valve position. It seems like when I hit the sport button I can hear the valves instantly open as it gets much louder and deeper in the cabin. Whereas if I just hit the PSE button in normal mode there is no audible difference .

I never used the console switch until my previous drive, always used Sport mode. I don't need the extra sound so never thought to try. I agree that it was really not noticeable.

 

[johan]

PSE on 718 are lame compared to other Porsches, the design is kind of strange with only one valve.
So the right muffler are only being used when the valve is open.
If your standing still you can open/close the valve but if you driving it will only open over 2000rpm/50km/h (i think it was)

 

[JazzCatGab]

My 2019 came with PSE standard and I've never turned it off. I typically am in Sport always with the exception of the track (Sport+) and when I pull into my condo's parking lot (Normal). As someone else mentioned elsewhere, after about 5K miles, I could hear a distinct difference in the exhaust notes. While definitely more pronounced in Sport and Sport+, even Normal has a more rounded sound.

 

[MLJJ]

I have noticed that the PSE behavior appears to be different depending on whether the car is in sport vs normal mode. For example, if I am in normal mode and then hit the PSE button I really dont notice much of a difference in exhaust volume even though PSE is enabled. But, as soon as I hit the sport button the exhaust instantly opens up and is clearly louder. So my question is - what exactly does enabling PSE do in normal mode? Is it just kind of an in between setting compared to normal and no PSE vs sport mode?

I don't have a definitive answer but it may be some folks want to enjoy the heightened driving experience with Sport mode on without the pops and gurgles so they would disengage PSE while in Sport. It could be that engaging the PSE button while in normal has no function at all?

 

[DriveInHouston]

I drive with Sport-On nearly all the time. If driving for over 1/2 hour on the freeway, occasionally I will drive on Normal to raise the oil temperature to 225 F for half an hour or so, to dry up the oil from any moisture. Sport very seldom gets over 200-205 F.

 

[Treemagnet]

...I will drive on Normal to raise the oil temperature to 225 F for half an hour or so, to dry up the oil from any moisture. Sport very seldom gets over 200-205 F.

I generally drive in Sport, once oil temp reaches 194+. Of course now, I’ll have to drive in “Normal” for the last half hour 😳.

 

[johan]

I don't have a definitive answer but it may be some folks want to enjoy the heightened driving experience with Sport mode on without the pops and gurgles so they would disengage PSE while in Sport. It could be that engaging the PSE button while in normal has no function at all?

PSE works in all the mode, it is just not very easy to hear the difference but is is there.
On the early 718 there was one easy way to hear it, the valve rattled alot when it was open. (on some cars like mine you can hear a "Clonk" when the vave opens)

 

[GregW]

There have been some comments by those who've had multiple 718s that most of the exhaust difference is in the engagement of Sport options and that the contribution of PSE is fairly minor.
Personal experience?—none, I don't have PSE, but the difference with Sport engaged in significant.

 

[CaymanMatt]

There have been some comments by those who've had multiple 718s that most of the exhaust difference is in the engagement of Sport options and that the contribution of PSE is fairly minor.
Personal experience?—none, I don't have PSE, but the difference with Sport engaged in significant.

Yes, there is a big difference when Sport mode is engaged. Pops and farts on most every lift. Sport+ eliminates most of the flatulence but retains a much more robust sound. This is the only way I had engaged the PSE until last week so I was very surprised that the exhaust sound barely changed when using the console button only. BTW, this is on a CGTS. YMMV.

 

[gatorfast]

Yes, there is a big difference when Sport mode is engaged. Pops and farts on most every lift. Sport+ eliminates most of the flatulence but retains a much more robust sound. This is the only way I had engaged the PSE until last week so I was very surprised that the exhaust sound barely changed when using the console button only. BTW, this is on a CGTS. YMMV.

Yea I was surprised that the behavior of the PSE was so different in sport vs normal mode. I am assuming that activating PSE in normal mode must make the exhaust more aggressive in certain situations (i.e. certain rpm or throttle inputs), it just doesnt seem to open the valve all the time like sport mode does.

 

[NeTx]

I generally drive in Sport, once oil temp reaches 194+. Of course now, I’ll have to drive in “Normal” for the last half hour 😳.

A lane swerve so apologies in advance but in my ‘18 CGTS I usually wait to activate Sport when the oil is 170°ish.

My SA left Sport on in his CGTS from startup, what’s the consensus here re. oil temp activation of Sport?

 

[duegatti]

I think it's more a matter of engine speed and throttle opening than what mode the car is in. I drive in Sport+ 95% of the time. I just take it easy until the oil is 170.

 

[gatorfast]

A lane swerve so apologies in advance but in my ‘18 CGTS I usually wait to activate Sport when the oil is 170°ish.

My SA left Sport on in his CGTS from startup, what’s the consensus here re. oil temp activation of Sport?

It is fine to activate sport immediately at start up. The engine will still come to operating temp as you drive it.

Some people just wait to activate sport mode until at least a few miles of driving mainly due to increased throttle sensitivity (dont want to accidentally rev a cold engine too high). Its easier to drive the car calmly and smoothly in normal mode vs sport mode while the car is warming up.

 

[[email protected]]

The thing I like about sport mode besides the few pops and gurgles is I don't have to rev shift. The car does it for me. Since I have not owned many manual shifted cars I am still getting used to ref shifting and having the car do it is nice sometimes.

 

[EuroKip]

The PSE button is just a direct connection to the exhaust flap control and nothing else. The difference in tone and volume is nothing more than an increase of 200 rpm at idle. Select PSE in normal when in park and rev to 1000 rpm and then play with the sport buttons and notice no audible change. At least that’s the way it works on my car.

 

[gatorfast]

The thing I like about sport mode besides the few pops and gurgles is I don't have to rev shift. The car does it for me. Since I have not owned many manual shifted cars I am still getting used to ref shifting and having the car do it is nice sometimes.

Good point and something to consider if you have sport chrono. I dont have sport chrono in mine so rev matching is on me 100% of the time

I find it odd though the way these manufacturers roll out the rev matching feature. For Porsche, they only include this feature with the sport chrono pkg for some reason. And rev match is enabled in sport/sport+ but not normal mode. On my previous car (BMW M3), rev matching was available on all manual cars (no pkg required) but was the opposite in terms of functionality - it rev matched in normal and sport but then not in sport+. Why not just include it for all manual cars and, more importantly, make a separate button to turn it on/off in any mode? Its annoying that BMW and Porsche predetermine when you way want rev matching enabled instead of just giving the driver the option.

 

[InTgr8r]

make a separate button to turn it on/off in any mode? I

I agree completely.
Porsche has finally done that with the 718 GT4