New to Automatics. What is the "S" Gear?

[superhombre]

So I have just purchased a 1989 Honda Prelude Si (Could be an S) and well it is an automatic and it has all the usual auto stuff like Park, Drive, Neutral, Reverse and 2 but there is this other gear called "S".

What is it?

Any help appreciated.

[Prelude13]

In "S" one can rev the motor higher, the transmission is in Sports mode.

[ogsmakdade]

^ 3rd gen masta!

[superhombre]

Sports Mode, really? So if I was wanting to have some fun should I just use "S" instead of "D"?

[superhombre]

OK thanks guys very good to know about the Sports Mode... now I know what to do if a young punk wants himself a redlight showdown! But there is one more thing, on my 89' Prelude S Automatic Shifter there is the main button to of course change gears but there is this other seperate button at the front of the shifter, kind of like the trigger button on a joystick. What is this button for?

Does it have anything to do with the green "S4" symbol that lights up on my dash when I turn the engine over? If so what is S4??

Sorry but I really am an absloute NOOB when it comes to automatics.

[absntmnd69]

i dont know man. you will have to wait for Prelude13 to answer that. i dont know much about 3rd gens. but hey dont worry about the noob thing. there is not one person on here that knows anything and everything about a lude. we are always learning something new. so in a way, we are all noobs