Best alternative to Sport Mode

RustyNutz said:

Not to steal the thread, but do you also always paddle shift while in Sport mode, OP? Not judging, just curious - because for me I cant stand how long it waits to shift while screaming at 5k, when I reach the speed I want and want to coast now. Does that bug you, or is that normal to you guys?

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Yep I prefer paddles. Trans shifting is pretty annoying sometimes in this thing. Makes me want a tune but we’ll see

RustyNutz said:

Not to steal the thread, but do you also always paddle shift while in Sport mode, OP? Not judging, just curious - because for me I cant stand how long it waits to shift while screaming at 5k, when I reach the speed I want and want to coast now. Does that bug you, or is that normal to you guys?

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Just give the throttle a little input and it will upshift.

smurfslayer said:

Does the Mustang have mode memory ( I’m asking here )?

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Nope, same as F-150/Raptor. Defaults to Normal mode with each key cycle.

I hear what you’re saying about the economy standards, but have you practically run sport for several tanks vs. eco normal ? I have, and I know it’s only observation level data, not scientifically gathered, etc. etc. but I never lost more than 1/2 mpg using sport as opposed to eco normal and in a few cases I gained economy using sport mode and I’m reasonably sure that’s because the default programming tries everything short of downshifting first, including a full 18psi of boost.

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Powertrain tuning is critical to EPA test results; the cycle is very strict. These test procedures are the reason almost all vehicles now have auto start/stop. Even a couple hundred RPM difference before a shifts will lower the average, which directly affects the published fuel economy.

Motorcycles may not be required to rate fuel economy, but they’ve figured out how to permit tailoring of drive modes, and that tech has been there for almost 10 years now. Think of it this way- if you selected weather mode, you have what Ford gives you. On a bike - well, a lot of them, certainly not all of them, you can tailor ‘rain’ mode to have anywhere from nn to 100% power, you can program traction control intervention, abs intervention levels, I think some have some limited throttle mapping capability now too, as throttle by wire is gradually infecting motorcycles.

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Automotive OEMs need to cater to the general public, which in the case of F-Series is millions of buyers. They have to be mindful of increased complexity, because the large majority of consumers aren’t going to use features like that, and the resulting confusion can pull down overall vehicle benchmark scores. The category of “difficulty to use” has a major impact, as the average age of a vehicle being traded in is 12 years old. Most of these people have never used Sync or push button start, never mind more advanced features.

Tell me (us) that the F150 Raptor ‘defaulting’ to eco normal drive mode every ignition cycle is the perfect solution and cannot be improved.

Can you honestly do that?

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Perfect solution? Of course not. But until the EPA changes their rules, I don’t see another way around it. That being said, I wonder how FCA tests their Hellcat models...black key or red key? I’d guess the black key, maybe that’s a way around the system??

Duane said:

Can someone please give me a recommendation based on the above? Thanks in advance.

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MPT 93 PRX Tune. Buy it and you will not need Sport Mode...

Duane said:

Sorry if this has been discussed, I searched but could not find anything.

I am a fairly new 2019 Raptor owner and I love the Sport Mode. However, I hate that it will not stay in this mode. I realize that it is a simple matter of pushing a button twice after starting up, but I would prefer to just get in and go...plus, when others drive my truck I like them to feel the fun without having to teach them this.

I realize that tunes can accomplish a "permanent" Sport Mode and probably much better even. I am moderately sensitive to warrantee issues although I do understand that this is a huge debate. I also would prefer not to spend over ~$500. There are so many tunes available that I feel I would have to do a lot of research to understand the differences. There are also a couple of "kludgy" ways to get the truck to automatically switch to Sport Mode when started but I don't really like this. Also, some Pedal modifications that may work but again...a lot of debate on these.

Can someone please give me a recommendation based on the above? Thanks in advance.

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All I can do is commiserate instead of help. While kind of minor, it is one of my top pet peeves about the Raptor. I live in ice/snow conditions at least 5 months a year and having to switch it to weather/snow mode every single time I start it is just plain wrong. And when I’m towing... same thing. This was just a dumb move on Fords part.

Troutrad said:

All I can do is commiserate instead of help. While kind of minor, it is one of my top pet peeves about the Raptor. I live in ice/snow conditions at least 5 months a year and having to switch it to weather/snow mode every single time I start it is just plain wrong. And when I’m towing... same thing. This was just a dumb move on Fords part.

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I've always wondered why they didn't allow it to stay in "Tow/Haul mode" when there's something plugged into the trailer harness. Seems like that should be a good default behavior!

Pedal Commander is the way to go. Works great on my 2019, no problems.

Maybe while Ford is at it they can design the next gen Raptor to have doors that open as one approaches their truck, then the engine starts without having to push that darn start button on the dash, and then drives without touching the steering wheel? Maybe they can have it sense your mood and change modes automatically as well?

Wishful thinking I guess. Oh well, in the mean time I guess I will just have to continue controlling my vehicle when I drive. How lame is that?...lol.

Of course one could consider hiring a driver?

Turning Blue said:

Maybe while Ford is at it they can design the next gen Raptor to have doors that open as one approaches their truck, then the engine starts without having to push that darn start button on the dash, and then drives without touching the steering wheel? Maybe they can have it sense your mood and change modes automatically as well?

Wishful thinking I guess. Oh well, in the mean time I guess I will just have to continue controlling my vehicle when I drive. How lame is that?...lol.

Of course one could consider hiring a driver?

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I think you’re referring to Tesla lol

Turning Blue said:

Maybe while Ford is at it they can design the next gen Raptor to have doors that open as one approaches their truck, then the engine starts without having to push that darn start button on the dash, and then drives without touching the steering wheel? Maybe they can have it sense your mood and change modes automatically as well?

Wishful thinking I guess. Oh well, in the mean time I guess I will just have to continue controlling my vehicle when I drive. How lame is that?...lol.

Of course one could consider hiring a driver?

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If software companies thought like this we'd all still be using DOS.

The idea that having a menu option for 'sticky' modes is too complex baffles me. It doesn't have to be the default, but it's just some lines of code....