FourBitty

I thought it would be worth a good clarification in Lamens terms. Yeah yeah, it's in the manual, but it isn't outlined completely clearly there and many people will search here long before they check their manuals. I've spent a lot of time in both of these driving modes, pulling trailers and in various driving conditions and I think I can sum up what they really do. However, I don't know everything, so if anyone can provide any other factual tidbits then I will be happy to update this post.

Tow/Haul - What It Does:
- Downshifts as the brakes are applied to provide engine braking, the downshifting will occur more aggressively the harder the brake pedal is pushed. This is pretty important, as engine braking can provide a considerable amount of slowing that one would not get in the regular driving mode, especially with a heavy trailer/payload.
- Holds gears for longer, this is mainly to prevent gear-hunting or frequent shifting as speed/load changes. A transmission under a heavier load that is also changing gears frequently is one that will get a lot hotter.
- Prevents transmission from upshifting while coasting - it will hold a gear if you let off the gas in case you need to start slowing down soon. Contrary, the regular driving mode will upshift if possible to save fuel and reduce engine braking/rolling resistance.
- Does not skip gears as it does in the regular driving mode (10 speed only).
- Disables Auto Start/Stop.

Sport Mode - What It Does:
- Makes the throttle more responsive. Pushing the gas pedal half way down delivers more than it would in normal driving mode. 50% throttle in Sport mode might be the same as 80% in the normal driving mode, for example. Not sure of the exact stats on this one.
- Holds gears to keep the engine within its power band, and makes quicker gear changes.
- Actively downshifts while braking. Different characteristics than with Tow/Haul mode - the purpose for this is mostly to keep the engine at a good RPM so it is responsive when you get back on the throttle, not so much for engine braking.
- Does not skip gears as it does in the regular driving mode (10 speed only).
- Disables Auto Start/Stop.

What Tow/Haul & Sport Modes Do Not Do:
- None of these driving modes "make the truck more powerful" or anything like that. They strictly change the transmission behaviour, and have nothing to do directly with the truck's engine, or turbos/boost. Sport mode in particular may give the illusion that the truck is more powerful, but that's mainly to do with the throttle responsiveness, and the fact that the transmission will hold gears to better keep the engine within its "sweet spot" (ie. an RPM range wherein the engine has plenty of HP/torque delivery).

I don't own a 2018+ and haven't tinkered with the work trucks enough to know what the economy mode does exactly, I'm sure it's boring and you can quickly figure it out for yourself.

Aqualung

This is great. Thanks for the explanation.

I haven't driven in tow mode, but I've noticed the throttle differences between Normal and Sport modes (increased from Normal) and Normal and Wet/Snow (decreased from Normal).

I think I'm in a minority, but I actually prefer the Normal mode to Sport...but I never was much for "performance" cars anyhow.

Aqualung

djfllmn

iTrader: (1)

I know in the 2018 sport mode does seem to change the engine dynamics. I can physically hear the change in how the turbos spool compared to normal mode

swab

With the tires in my sig, I usually drive in sport. The only real complaint is that I have to run up to about 50 until it shifts into 5th but that's it.

UnkLeRaRa

I was going to say, sport mode feels like it keeps the turbos spooled up for more responsiveness.

Not sure if that's the case, but I know what you mean.

djfllmn

iTrader: (1)

sport mode with the windows down...sounds soo good

dalola

Also worth noting, with the 10AT, both T/H & Sport modes eliminate gear skipping.

68injunhed

My Sport mode does a little more than that...

Bubbabiker

I don't have much use for the sport mode for daily around town driving but it is fun in the mountains.

Mictdave

I use to never use sport. I was fine how the truck shifted in regular mode. Then I noticed the lugging as I’m casually driving. Just maintaining the speed limit, keeping steady pressure on the gas, the transmission would hold on to higher gears longer as I’m just cruising up the slightest hill. I could feel it lugging until finally it would downshift. It drove me crazy. Now I switch to sport all the time. I love crisp feel of it shifting and no more lugging on slight hills. I used to think sport was just for hot rodding. Nope, works great for grandpa drivers like me. Just a note, I’m not actually a grandpa. Not that there’s anything wrong with being a grandpa.