2023 Ford Explorer Owners Manual - Drive Mode Control

Drive Mode Control

What Is Drive Mode Control

Your vehicle has various drive modes that you can select for different driving conditions. Depending on the drive mode that you select, the system adjusts various vehicle settings.

How Does Drive Mode Control Work

Selectable drive modes change various electronic and mechanical settings within your vehicle to tailor its performance and driving characteristics to on-road or off-road driving conditions. Steering feel and effort, traction control, stability control, chassis control, powertrain response, transmission shift points and four-wheel driveline settings alter to a pre-determined setting depending upon the drive mode that you select.

Note:   Your vehicle has diagnostic checks that continuously monitor all systems for proper operation. If a drive mode is unavailable due to a system fault, your vehicle defaults to normal mode.

Selecting a Drive Mode

Note:   Drive mode changes may not be available when the ignition is off or when the engine is not running.

Note:   Button icons shown may vary from your vehicle.

Rotate the drive mode dial on the center console to select or change a drive mode.

To select drive modes for RWD vehicles use the console mounted control.

Deep Snow/Sand

  For off-road driving on soft dry sand or deep snow. This mode optimizes accelerator pedal response, traction settings, and stability controls to help maintain forward momentum when driving through deep sand or snow. If your vehicle becomes stuck in deep conditions, using this mode may help it become unstuck.

Note:   Using deep snow/sand mode on dry, hard surfaces could produce some vibration, driveline bind up, and potential excessive tire wear.

Drive Modes

Eco

For efficient driving. This mode helps deliver maximum fuel efficiency and helps to increase driving range.

Normal

For everyday driving. This mode is a perfect balance of excitement, comfort and convenience. This is the default mode after each ignition cycle.

 Slippery

  For less than ideal road conditions such as snow or ice covered roads. This mode lowers throttle response, adjusts transmission shift points, and optimizes vehicle stability controls to help mitigate wheel spin and maintain vehicle control when driving in winter conditions.

Note:   Using slippery mode on dry, hard surfaces could produce some vibration, driveline bind up, and potential excessive tire wear.

Sport

  For sporty driving with improved performance handling and response. This mode increases accelerator pedal response, enhances steering to provide a sportier feel, and adjusts transmission shift points for quicker vehicle acceleration.

Note:   Auto-start-stop is disabled when you select this mode.

Tow/Haul

For improved transmission operation when towing a trailer or a heavy load. This mode moves upshifts to higher engine speeds to reduce the frequency of transmission shifting. This mode also provides engine braking in all forward gears, which slows your vehicle and assists you in controlling your vehicle when descending a slope. The amount of downshift braking provided varies based on the amount you press the brake pedal.

 Trail

For off-road driving on muddy, rutted, soft, or uneven terrain. This mode lowers throttle response to enhance low speed vehicle control when driving off road. Additionally, the mode optimizes traction and stability control settings, helping the vehicle to maintain forward momentum through loose deformable surfaces.