S mode on shifter vs s+ drive mode or both

[revinto7]

Ok so what does the S selection on the shifter actually do .and then there is the drive modes also so if the car is in S then you have s+ track and drag mode on the toggle can you combine these Then in D mode you can select these also so whats the difference I am sorry if these are stupid questions but I am used to totally different drive setups in my hellcat and my A8 camaro ss compared to this car ..the user manual didnt help much either ..only have 77 miles on my 18 mustang got it a week ago 1 last question whats the difference say beetween D delection in Sport or track drive mode vs S on the shifter say in sport or track mode on drive mode

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[JCFoster]

Can’t say bout an ‘18, but with my ‘16 if I use the toggle switch it automatically changes the steering setting to sport. If I use the shifter to go to sport mode my steering setting stays the same as where I have it set. You’d have to play with it and see if it does the same.

 

[revinto7]

nice read thanks

 

[michail71]

What I notice most is S mode on the shifter will downshift early. The owners manual says to use this for uphill and downhill driving. There may be something about towing as well.

It also allows for full manual control through the paddles. It equates to Overdrive or Manual mode in other cars.

Sport or S+ mode from the toggle changes the throttle response and up-shifts. Along with setting the steering wheel, exhaust valves and magneride suspension.

I think Ford confuses things by making the shifter "S" position change the driving mode display as well. It should not do that.

 

[DickR]

The Cliff notes version is if you want the transmission to just shift when needed without being "intrusive" to you or a passenger just leave it in D and normal drive mode. This is especially true if you have 3.55 gears. Apparently 3.15 gears can be frustrating in regard to shifting to maintain speed or to accelerate at low road speed or hills. This is NOT a problem in mine with 3.55's.

If you want the transmission to be more noticeable and the engine to "blip the throttle" noticeably for downshifts then you can select S+ or Track drive modes and/or use S shifter position.

If you want manual control of shifts use S shifter position and the paddles in normal, sport+, or track drive modes. Note that in D you can use the paddles for quick downshifts if you don't want to rely on throttle controlled forced downshifts. Also for loooong downgrades with no throttle you can downshift for engine braking with the paddles in D and it will hold the selected gear until you give it some throttle.

I have ignored Drag and snow/wet drive modes because they are specialized and I haven't experimented with them.

If you have magneride then the "firmness" varies with drive modes.

I use D in normal mode except for autocross when I use S shifter and Track drive mode and shift manually. Anything else is simply experimentation on the street.

 

[michail71]

The Cliff notes version is if you want the transmission to just shift when needed without being "intrusive" to you or a passenger just leave it in D and normal drive mode. This is especially true if you have 3.55 gears. Apparently 3.15 gears can be frustrating in regard to shifting to maintain speed or to accelerate at low road speed or hills. This is NOT a problem in mine with 3.55's.

Is that just for the 6 speed? The 3.15 feels great on the A10. But I might just not know any better.

Snow/wet mode is great for new or nervous drivers. They tend to not jerk the car around as much.

 

[DickR]

Is that just for the 6 speed? The 3.15 feels great on the A10. But I might just not know any better.

Snow/wet mode is great for new or nervous drivers. They tend to not jerk the car around as much.

User name Rash wasn't happy with the A10's behavior at very low revs in the highest ratios compared to his previous A6 GT. He has 3.15's and if I recall correctly has to deal with hills in 40 - 45 mph traffic a lot and was used to more seamless downshifting when squeezing on the throttle to maintain or gain speed in D.

 

[DickR]

Is that just for the 6 speed? The 3.15 feels great on the A10. But I might just not know any better.

Snow/wet mode is great for new or nervous drivers. They tend to not jerk the car around as much.

User name Rash wasn't happy with the A10's behavior at very low revs in the highest ratios compared to his previous A6 GT. He has 3.15's and if I recall correctly has to deal with hills in 40 - 45 mph traffic a lot and was used to more seamless downshifting when squeezing on the throttle to maintain or gain speed in D.

I experimented with snow/wet yesterday and it certainly seemed to "deaden" the throttle response even with 3.55's.

 

[Madtel4]

I have almost 4K on my car 90+% in Sport + trans in S. I love it. In normal the car seems sluggish to me explicitly the shifting.
Lee

 

[michail71]

User name Rash wasn't happy with the A10's behavior at very low revs in the highest ratios compared to his previous A6 GT. He has 3.15's and if I recall correctly has to deal with hills in 40 - 45 mph traffic a lot and was used to more seamless downshifting when squeezing on the throttle to maintain or gain speed in D.

I experimented with snow/wet yesterday and it certainly seemed to "deaden" the throttle response even with 3.55's.

Ah, he hasn't been too happy with a few things. Sadly I haven't gotten to do any hills yet but I feel it would be a blast!!!

Compared to every late model car I've driven this things just wants to go without much fuss.

 

[Rash]

Rash here. I just drop it into S on the gearshift now when maintaning low speed 25-45 mph. It immediately downshifts to a better gear/rpm. Otherwise it lugs at too low rpm and I have to jab hard to get it to downshift. Just easier to drop it to S. I could also paddle shift - just find the gearshift easier.

I’d leave it in S all the time but it’s my daily driver and S really never gets to 10th gear on the highway. Once I’m above 45 mph I shift from S to D.

I haven’t messed with Sport+ Mode or other modes much since it’s s pain to get back to normal mode quickly.

 

[Rash]

Ah, he hasn't been too happy with a few things.

Actually I love the car - just took some getting used to as would be expected. It’s got its quirks but they are minor overall. Overall it kicks ass and I look forward to driving it every day.

 

[michail71]

Actually I love the car - just took some getting used to as would be expected. It’s got its quirks but they are minor overall. Overall it kicks ass and I look forward to driving it every day.

OMG, the quirks! Some of them do drive me crazy but hey are minor.

But I'm happier now than I was in my Benz.

 

[69mach1-395]

Actually I love the car - just took some getting used to as would be expected. It’s got its quirks but they are minor overall. Overall it kicks ass and I look forward to driving it every day.

Ever since auto trans' got smarter, I've had to learn to deal with them...just part of the process.:cheers:

 

[brucelinc]

Sport with the shifter VS Sport + with the toggle:

With mine, they are similar except the sport + on the toggle changes the steering and exhaust modes to sport and changes the gauge arrangement to the ribbon-style tach. Just moving the shifter to Sport leaves exhaust and steering where ever they were and does not alter the gauge layout.

I recently had my ICP upgraded to the latest software version. Before, it would always switch the steering to normal upon start-up. Now it stays where I want it.

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