Drive Modes

Stealth Tremor SD said:
I agree with the 1st - 3rd skip, can’t stand that!
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I’ll throw my vote in for Tow/Haul nearly 100% of the time, specifically to eliminate skip shifting, the 1-3 is the worst. First turn out of my neighborhood is an uphill right hand onto a somewhat heavily trafficked road and if I’m in normal mode it grabs 3rd about 3/4 of the way through the turn and falls flat on its face (which can be exciting with traffic bearing down on you. To keep it from skipping second I have to accelerate hard enough that I chirp the tires pulling away which Im sure my neighbors love. Tow haul makes this completely undramatic. I also like how it's more quick to downshift out of 10th on the highway when you hit a hill or just want to speed up a little and then it holds that gear until you level off. In normal it requires way too much throttle input to downshift and then wants to upshift at the slightest decrease in load so you get stuck hunting for gears.

Sometimes when jetting around in traffic I’ll throw it in Deep Snow/Sand mode (also known as Secret Sport Mode)… really changes the throttle sensitivity and love how it holds gears and keeps the revs up so when you punch it you have instant power. Almost feels like you are adding 10-15HP.

I only run it in normal if Im too slow in the morning when i power it on and it asks if I want to return to tow haul.
 
Normal mode with my pedal monster on sport 9.
Unless I’m hauling then I’m in tow/haul
 
super_fro_daddy said:
I use tow haul 99% of the time so I can get access to all the gears I paid for!! That said, I would like it to start in 2nd in regular mode. 1st gear is 4.70 combined with 4.30 rear gear is  steep (I get why) and 2nd is 3.00.

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 would be my preferred way.
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So far, 289 miles, my truck doesn't skip any gears. Had it in eco for the 15 miles to my house and the rest in normal. No skips... Yet?
 
I was out running around earlier today. Using only the EB and Traction control buttons showed me why I don't like them. Due to my local area 50 MPH tends to be the sweet spot for drive speed.
Using EB ON, EB AUTO, Traction Control OFF (whatever combination of either function)...keeps 10th gear out of reach at 50 MPH. I got to be going upwards of 55 MPH to drop into 10th. :(:(
Now what I like...It's shifting into gear, you feel it over normal operation. Pedal control and motor response is MUCH better. :p:p

What I can tell you is Ford put those buttons and features there for a reason...use them. If you have never used them...try it. Short of trying to impress someone at the light I doubt you are going to hurt anything. :cool:
PSA:
I will warn people with using Tow Haul and EB On at the same time, it might be a bit more aggressive on the transmission downshifting. Is it hurting anything...I doubt it. It just becomes a driver "liking it" issue. 😜
 
20-22' 7.3 trucks I like to use tow haul. My 23' 7.3 I like normal mode. Never cared for eco. No sport mode on 23+ as far as know.
 
I run slippery in the winter because it's slippery. I would run eco otherwise but I run normal because I always forget to switch to eco.
 
I run the 23 in normal mode. I have not really experimented with the other modes. I do like the fact the 23 model runs through all of the gears.
 
I used to use the ECO mode, but once I moved up to 37s, that is out - gearing is too high - now run in Normal. Since all I tow is my Waverunner or my ATV trailer, I don't even need Tow/Haul. My buddy that has a Gasser 6.2L (non-Tremor) does need Tow/Haul even when towing his ATVs.
 
I like the color code for Eco, mostly the reason that I use it. I did not see a difference in MPG though.

I do have a question for you all though, when I am playing around in red sands, deep sand, I put it in Deep Snow/Sand Mode, but I don't like it as the truck seems to be very bouncy when I am going faster than 10 - 15 mph.
 
armorross said:
I do have a question for you all though, when I am playing around in red sands, deep sand, I put it in Deep Snow/Sand Mode, but I don't like it as the truck seems to be very bouncy when I am going faster than 10 - 15 mph.
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I don’t think I’m following. Are you saying the deep snow/sand mode doesn’t provide a benefit for you below 15mph? And you can’t take the truck above 15mph in deep sand because it’s too bouncy?
 
Tex_Hunter said:
I’ll throw my vote in for Tow/Haul nearly 100% of the time, specifically to eliminate skip shifting, the 1-3 is the worst. First turn out of my neighborhood is an uphill right hand onto a somewhat heavily trafficked road and if I’m in normal mode it grabs 3rd about 3/4 of the way through the turn and falls flat on its face (which can be exciting with traffic bearing down on you. To keep it from skipping second I have to accelerate hard enough that I chirp the tires pulling away which Im sure my neighbors love. Tow haul makes this completely undramatic. I also like how it's more quick to downshift out of 10th on the highway when you hit a hill or just want to speed up a little and then it holds that gear until you level off. In normal it requires way too much throttle input to downshift and then wants to upshift at the slightest decrease in load so you get stuck hunting for gears.

Sometimes when jetting around in traffic I’ll throw it in Deep Snow/Sand mode (also known as Secret Sport Mode)… really changes the throttle sensitivity and love how it holds gears and keeps the revs up so when you punch it you have instant power. Almost feels like you are adding 10-15HP.

I only run it in normal if Im too slow in the morning when i power it on and it asks if I want to return to tow haul.
Click to expand...
Totally agree with you on the Deep Snow/Sand mode. I prefer it actually over Sport.
 
Normal mode with Pedal Monster on Track full blast.
 
armorross said:
I like the color code for Eco, mostly the reason that I use it. I did not see a difference in MPG though.

I do have a question for you all though, when I am playing around in red sands, deep sand, I put it in Deep Snow/Sand Mode, but I don't like it as the truck seems to be very bouncy when I am going faster than 10 - 15 mph.
Click to expand...

What?
Most likely because of the suspension, not the drive mode you’re in.
 
Tex_Hunter said:
I’ll throw my vote in for Tow/Haul nearly 100% of the time, specifically to eliminate skip shifting, the 1-3 is the worst. First turn out of my neighborhood is an uphill right hand onto a somewhat heavily trafficked road and if I’m in normal mode it grabs 3rd about 3/4 of the way through the turn and falls flat on its face (which can be exciting with traffic bearing down on you. To keep it from skipping second I have to accelerate hard enough that I chirp the tires pulling away which Im sure my neighbors love. Tow haul makes this completely undramatic. I also like how it's more quick to downshift out of 10th on the highway when you hit a hill or just want to speed up a little and then it holds that gear until you level off. In normal it requires way too much throttle input to downshift and then wants to upshift at the slightest decrease in load so you get stuck hunting for gears.

Sometimes when jetting around in traffic I’ll throw it in Deep Snow/Sand mode (also known as Secret Sport Mode)… really changes the throttle sensitivity and love how it holds gears and keeps the revs up so when you punch it you have instant power. Almost feels like you are adding 10-15HP.

I only run it in normal if Im too slow in the morning when i power it on and it asks if I want to return to tow haul.
Click to expand...

Cool trick that I had never considered - thanks for sharing.

I've used the deep/snow mode in those applications many times, would have never occurred to me to use in 2hi and on pavement.
 
HeavyAssault said:
I was out running around earlier today. Using only the EB and Traction control buttons showed me why I don't like them. Due to my local area 50 MPH tends to be the sweet spot for drive speed.
Using EB ON, EB AUTO, Traction Control OFF (whatever combination of either function)...keeps 10th gear out of reach at 50 MPH. I got to be going upwards of 55 MPH to drop into 10th. :(:(
Now what I like...It's shifting into gear, you feel it over normal operation. Pedal control and motor response is MUCH better. :p:p

What I can tell you is Ford put those buttons and features there for a reason...use them. If you have never used them...try it. Short of trying to impress someone at the light I doubt you are going to hurt anything. :cool:
PSA:
I will warn people with using Tow Haul and EB On at the same time, it might be a bit more aggressive on the transmission downshifting. Is it hurting anything...I doubt it. It just becomes a driver "liking it" issue. 😜
Click to expand...

You must be running 37s?

I'm doing 45 and in 10th.
 
I used to use the eco mode when not towing but I have found that I get better MPG if I just leave it in normal mode. Use tow/haul plus EB when towing 5th wheel. Usually just leave it in normal mode when towing snowmobile's because I have found the tow/haul gears it down too much when going downhill with the snowmobiles and I have had the rear end get a bit squirrly on bad roads....not a good feeling.
 
Is it possible to keep the truck in Tow/haul permanently? With a constant payload of about 2.5k Id like it to just stay there, and not have to hit the button every time I get in. Maybe a Forscan fix? Thanks.
 
AZsurveyor said:
You must be running 37s?

I'm doing 45 and in 10th.
Click to expand...

Nope. Metric 35" tires here.

I can hit 45MPH/10th while in Normal mode. Using Tow/Haul, EB, or AdvanceTrac buttons will cause it to be 50 MPH minimum to get into 10th. I can play with cruise control to drop that a few MPH, but it's usually over 50 MPH first, then drop down. I've hit 50MPH...started dropping the speed with cruise...hit 47MPH...truck drops down to 9th. Bump it up...hit 50MPH...shifts to 10th.
 
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