I purchased a new 2019 F150 XLT. Driver modes can be selected from the gear shifter (Normal - Tow - Rain/Snow - Eco - Sport). Can somebody tell me which features / functionalities are actually enabled / disabled / or changed when a mode is selected?

The Owners Manual is not clear. I suspect they are pre-defined software settings, I am just not clear of the differences.

Thx

John

 

I'm sure someone will have a real answer, but one thing I can tell you is that in Tow mode, it will downshift when slowing town to give you a transmission brake. From discussions in the forum, I am gathering that the Eco mode is basically useless as it makes it more sluggish and doesn't improve mpg.

 

I also noticed that Tow mode downshifts when braking. It also stays in a lower gear - I wasnt towing but was in an area of constant hills recently, it never got above 8th gear which makes it pretty responsive on the throttle. Sport mode seems to go down more gears when it downshifts. Eco seems to up-shift sooner making it much less responsive on the throttle.

 

Tow mode also increases the distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you when using adaptive cruise control

 

The most noticeable change is the change in shift points. Under tow and sport mode, it keeps the transmission in the lower gears longer in order to keep the engine RPMs elevated where the engine is making most power and mechanical advantage.

Eco otoh, gets the transmission in the upper gears faster for better fuel economy.

I read here it also alters the steering some through the ESAP system. I don’t notice that.

 

I made a thread about Tow/Haul and Sport not that long ago, click the link in my signature.

 

varies a bit based on the engine but most of the mods have to with the transmission programing. They do all affect the engine operating parameters though - despite what that other thread says.

ECU and TCU are married to the data they share back and forth. They affect each other.

Sport mode: shifts quicker, actual gear change transition time, line pressures on the actuators, etc. Actually shifts faster from 1-2, 2-3 etc. Note on the newer transmissions gear changes are often between different sets now instead of sequential. So for example the 1-2 on the 10R800 (and others) trades one spool for another via the clutches. So it's let out clutch 2, while pulling in clutch 1 and bam - new gear. relative terms if normal mode is 15 ms then sport mode would be 10 or less. Sport mode also changes the gear selection based on load, throttle pedal demand, brake and steering input. (this is far more noticeable on the mustang) but basically if you are in a curve, with more than __ steering wheel input (the number changes based on speed) then it will hold the gear while under throttle and might (based on load) proactively downshift when you straight up and press the pedal more. It will act like how you would drive a manual sporty. LIkewise all fuel mileage logic is turned off. Sport mode also tells the engine to disable start stop, adjust the cam phases for max torque (note this is not max HP - the engine works off of demanded torque), adjust the timing adjustments, and fuel adjustments. (again in simple terms - tells the ECU to remove all fuel mileage logic) and in increases the throttle by wire % map so the pedal is a bit more responsive.

Tow mode: similar - also shortens shifts but not as dramatic. It's more about reducing the clutch slipping between gears - so you might get the occasional bump shift but not like sport mode does. Also locks out certain gears based again on demanded load - adjusts the ECU logic for torque vs MPG. Depending on the other features of the truck it might adjust other bits. One thing - typically the other trailer features are enabled when it senses the trailer wire harness is plugged in. Now my F150 doesn't automatically select tow mode when I plug in a trailer but others might as I think the 10sp equipped models do this now. Also transmission will engine brake - which does also tell the ECU to allow it. They go together. so it's possible selecting tow mode on the shifter won't affect the lane keep system, the sway control, or the back up camera but rather hooking up to the trailer harness does. But yes towing does adjust some of the other bits - like advancetrac stability assistance has parameters to help sway control.

Rain/snow - adjusts gearing to prevent sudden downshifts and increase engine braking - sort of like tow mode does. It doesn't adjust the ECU for torque vs MPG and it lessens the throttle response map. It does also have some adjustment on stability assistance. IF I recall correctly it adjusts the amount of wheel spin allowed with the reported speed is below 3mph. IE - computer is always checking the 4 wheel speeds, vs the transmission reporting the vehicle speed via driveline. (think - power says I'm going 30, wheels say I'm going 0,0,30,30). So as to let you have more ability to rock the vehicle if stuck. I think the biggest change is the increase to engine braking.

ECO mode - this does help your mpg, it is more pronounced on other platforms. ECO mode - does not engine brake AT ALL. What it does do is once off throttle - the transmission clutches let go - to help freewheel while the engine shuts off fuel. This is really noticeable down a hill. Now - as the RPM of the engine gets to a low point - clutches re-engage, might even downshift a gear and drag will prop up the engine RPM - but keep the fuel cut off. So as to let the engine motor over with oil pressure, and maintain alternator and compressor load etc - but no fuel used. Sort of like engine braking but without the desire to slow down as much. But it also: Tells the engine computer to run for efficiency over torque, lessens throttle input response, shifts up as soon as possible to lower RPM, and if turbo'd it reduces boost as much as it can. On a truck with the aerodynamics of a brick going sideways - and with higher overall drive ratio for towing - most of this is lost. But it can help.

Normal: is mostly ECO mode but without the as much of the engine freewheeling bit and without shifting the ECU priority to MPG over torque. Normal mode actually uses the most computer process as it will do pieces of each mode with changing conditions. It just doesn't go as far to either extreme. IE - it will speed up shifting and downshift 2 gears at a time as needed when you press the pedal. Sure - it won't shift as fast as spot mode will allow, it won't skip as many as 4 gears based on load, throttle position and RPM. (F150 might not actually do 4 gears). It will also make the adjustment for towing if needed but again not quite to the same extremes. Normal is the middle ground and for most people it's all they need.

Personally I drive in normal mode most of the time - but I click into sport mode on occasion too and I absolutely put in tow mode the few times I've towed with mine. Again based on the engine and options you have there are slight differences. Example I could see where for the 5.0 sport mode isn't quite a dramatic as it is on the Ecoboost. But there will be a difference.

 

I am in normal mode all the time, eco mode turns it into a dog, sport mode is too aggressive for most driving, and I don't like the constant engine braking in each gear on decel that tow/haul does.

 

Just try them out. I actually like Eco-mode most of the time. It's a lot better with adaptive cruise control because Normal mode accelerates too heavy then slams on the brake when it gets behind someone. It also just makes the first 1/3 of the pedal travel really easy so you don't force downshifts.

It's all going to be personal preference so just try them out and see what you like about them.

 

Wow. Great detailed reply Napalm. Thank you and I appreciate your knowledge sharing.

Question - do you know how I can set a mode (ECO) to be the default versus (NORMAL)?