051A Guard V6 Review

[zackmd1]

Zack, when you hit the traction control button, are there different modes, or is it just an on/off switch? I was hoping it would still have a sport mode or something for the stability and traction systems.

Unfortunately the traction control button does only act as an on/off switch...

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[Bullitt]

Supposedly you can make all 4 drive modes on the base by turning things on/off via the TC button, picking a steering mode via the button (3 steering modes) and also if you have the Sport+ Auto transmission. The toggles just do it for you in 1 click. If you have the base, you have to do it manually.

So supposedly Sport+ mode on the toggle would basically put the steering in sport, the auto trans in Sport+ mode and most likely turn TC on with one flip of the toggle where on the base you'd have to engage all 3 yourself.

Ok thanks for that. I'm not really worried about the drive modes as much as the stability programs. I know on the premium the Track mode (and I believe Sport+ modes) both have less traction and stability control intervention. That's what I'm looking for. My concern is that if I get a base car, I won't be able to get the back end out at all unless I turn everything off completely. I'd like the safety net of having some stability control, but not so much that it kills power at the first sign of slippage (like I'm assuming the normal mode does). That's what I'm still worried about.

 

[Bullitt]

Unfortunately the traction control button does only act as an on/off switch...

Bummer :/ Thanks for your response! Have you tried getting the back end out at all? Are the traction and stability control systems really invasive when they're left in normal mode or can you get some slip angle before it intervenes?

 

[phil1336]

Blame the EPA, more specifically CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy). Gas mileage has become the Holy Grail for auto manufacturers.

Non-Issue, sorry. Unless you drive the EB 2.3 I4 with a (feather foot) the 3.7 V6 will get the same or better real-time fuel economy. Case closed.

 

[zackmd1]

Bummer :/ Thanks for your response! Have you tried getting the back end out at all? Are the traction and stability control systems really invasive when they're left in normal mode or can you get some slip angle before it intervenes?

Stupid me actually managed to do a burnout with traction control still on.... I forgot to check to see if it was still on! I don't have to do that in my 70... Lol but back to the question! Yes you can definitely break the rear end loose with traction control. Going around a corner you can get some slip before it kicks in but not much. I would say the system is a bit less invasive then my previous 2010 but works much better when you actually need it.

 

[Bullitt]

Stupid me actually managed to do a burnout with traction control still on.... I forgot to check to see if it was still on! I don't have to do that in my 70... Lol but back to the question! Yes you can definitely break the rear end loose with traction control. Going around a corner you can get some slip before it kicks in but not much. I would say the system is a bit less invasive then my previous 2010 but works much better when you actually need it.

Well that's good to hear. Thanks man!

 

[GT]

A double click on TC button should put it in Sport ESC mode.

 

[midnite9150]

Supposedly you can make all 4 drive modes on the base by turning things on/off via the TC button, picking a steering mode via the button (3 steering modes) and also if you have the Sport+ Auto transmission. The toggles just do it for you in 1 click. If you have the base, you have to do it manually.

So supposedly Sport+ mode on the toggle would basically put the steering in sport, the auto trans in Sport+ mode and most likely turn TC on with one flip of the toggle where on the base you'd have to engage all 3 yourself.

You could do this in the '12 V6 base models, I believe you hit the brake and pressed the TC button twice, it would display "sport" activated on the screen, and if you held the button you could turn it all the way off. It wouldnt surprise me if the software for all 4 modes is all there, theres just a different way to activate it

 

[zackmd1]

You could do this in the '12 V6 base models, I believe you hit the brake and pressed the TC button twice, it would display "sport" activated on the screen, and if you held the button you could turn it all the way off. It wouldnt surprise me if the software for all 4 modes is all there, theres just a different way to activate it

Just went out to the car and tried this.... No sport mode. I tried every possible combination I could think of... Button just acts as an on/off switch in the 15.

 

[Spartan]

Just went out to the car and tried this.... No sport mode. I tried every possible combination I could think of... Button just acts as an on/off switch in the 15.

Zack I think sport mode is what you have when you have it in Sport+ with the transmission along with TC off and sport steering on.

 

[GT]

I wonder if Sport Mode ESC only comes on base cars with PP. Anyone have one to try?

 

[Josh Painter]

Non-Issue, sorry. Unless you drive the EB 2.3 I4 with a (feather foot) the 3.7 V6 will get the same or better real-time fuel economy. Case closed.

No, case NOT closed. Actual fuel economy doesn't matter one whit to the federal government or the auto manufacturers. The EPA numbers are all that matter.

Better EPA numbers for the Ecoboost Mustang on paper allow Ford to show a better Corporate Average Fuel Economy number on paper for its entire fleet of passenger cars. That's what the CAFE standard is all about.

Is this FUBAR? Of course it is! But as with all things decreed by the Feds, it is the perception that counts, not the reality.

 

[phil1336]

No, case NOT closed. Actual fuel economy doesn't matter one whit to the federal government or the auto manufacturers. The EPA numbers are all that matter.

Better EPA numbers for the Ecoboost Mustang on paper allow Ford to show a better Corporate Average Fuel Economy number on paper for its entire fleet of passenger cars. That's what the CAFE standard is all about.

Is this FUBAR? Of course it is! But as with all things decreed by the Feds, it is the perception that counts, not the reality.

OK, CAFE standards make be improved a tad by more EB 2.3 sales (but) real-time fuel economy numbers will ultimately prove that the 3.7 V6 will under most typical driving conditions achieve the same or (better ) fuel economy them the EB 2.3 I4. No one is going to drive a new Mustang like they were "hyper-miling" a Hybrid.

 

[zackmd1]

For those interested... A-little WOT run here from 30mph in my V6.
(Sorry about the quality of the vid.... Road was quite bumpy...)

[ame]

 

[Josh Painter]

OK, CAFE standards make be improved a tad by more EB 2.3 sales (but) real-time fuel economy numbers will ultimately prove that the 3.7 V6 will under most typical driving conditions achieve the same or (better ) fuel economy them the EB 2.3 I4. No one is going to drive a new Mustang like they were "hyper-miling" a Hybrid.

I'm not arguing with that. I'm just saying that the rationale for putting the Ecoboost four in the Mustang has more to do with the CAFE standard than it does with taking the S550 global. Essentially, CAFE allows the feds to put a gun to the manufacturer's heads and make them do the bureaucrats' will.

And although I'm a conservative, I don't blame the Democrats more than I blame the Republicans for this state of affairs. The EPA was created under a Republican administration (Nixon's). The Republicans are essentially Democrat Lite. They will take us to the same place the Dems will. Only difference is the journey to get there will be a little slower under the GOP.

:shrug:

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