Koons Clarksville

Chevrolet Buick GMC

Nov 10, 2022

You may want a sportier and a more responsive driving experience with your vehicle from Koons Clarksville Chevrolet Buick GMC. But what’s the best way to use your vehicle’s Driver Mode Control setting?

Driver Mode Control, sometimes called the Traction Select System, is a unique automotive technology that lets you customize your car to suit your driving style. Its purpose is to enhance comfort and control so you can stay focused on the road ahead. It tailors your vehicle’s throttle response, steering feel, shift points, and suspension settings. We’ll walk you through what’s needed to optimize your driving performance using this setting.

Choosing a Drive Mode

With so many options, how do you know which mode to choose? The answer depends on what you want to get out of each mode. But here is a summary of each mode’s functionality.

Tour/Normal Mode

This mode is the default setting and is the best option for everyday driving . It adjusts the vehicle’s settings automatically to provide the best handling for regular use. The Tour mode enhances your comfort, taking over almost all controls from the driver.

Sport Mode

The Sport setting tunes the vehicle’s powertrain performance to provide an excellent throttle response, ensuring the steering feels comfortable while driving. As a result, you’ll notice more responsive acceleration, direct steering input, and better low-speed handling. You’ll also have reduced powertrain, brake, and steering assistance when using Sport mode.

Track Mode

This mode is great for track or rally racing situations, especially for enthusiasts who want to take their driving to the limit. It uses different calibrations for the vehicle’s transmission, exhaust system, and other components. While this can be great on the track, it can result in delayed traction transitions when driving your vehicle on the street.

Snow/Ice Mode

If you live in a region that gets snow and ice, this mode will help you out. It makes the throttle more sensitive to help you stay in control while driving in wintry conditions. It also increases the steering responsiveness to enhance control in icy conditions.

Off-Road Mode

Off-road mode is built for those times when you want to take your vehicle to the mountains or on rugged terrain. It tunes the suspension and transmission responsiveness for a smoother experience on rough terrain. It’s ideal for driving on dirt roads or in rugged environments, such as deserts or forests.

Tow/Haul Mode

Select this mode for instances where you need to tow a long object. Tow/haul mode changes the transmission’s gears and mapping, optimizing them for towing and heavy hauling. It also dials down the throttle sensitivity to prevent jerky starts and modifies other vehicle settings as needed.

Terrain Mode

This setting adjusts the suspension, steering angles, and transmission shifts to suit the road’s surface and terrain, allowing you to drive comfortably over rough or bumpy dirt roads. It tunes your vehicle’s performance to work best in different geographies and can also apply the appropriate brake to each wheel.

My Mode

This unique mode lets you define your custom settings. It’s best to adjust the mode’s settings to suit local roads and conditions. You can set the suspension, transmission, and throttle response to suit your needs. You can also set the comfort features according to your preferences.

AWD Mode

If you have an all-wheel-drive vehicle, this setting optimizes the performance of all four wheels for driving on roads and off-road. It also makes the engine more responsive and provides better traction under acceleration.

Z Mode

This mode can help you drive more confidently when facing slippery roads or icy conditions. It increases the transmission’s gear ratio to reduce engine speeds when necessary, helping you maintain control of the vehicle. It can be used in conjunction with AWD and front-wheel and rear-wheel drive.

Tips For Using Your Vehicle’s Driver Mode Control

Depending on the model and year of your vehicle, you might find some settings are unavailable or limited to a single mode. But here are some tips for getting the most out of your vehicle’s Driver Mode Control :

  • Don’t change your driving mode in city or residential areas — it’s safest to let your vehicle run in normal mode.
  • Always remain attentive when using your vehicle’s Driver Mode Control, as your personal preferences may not always match the driving conditions.
  • Refer to your owner’s manual for more details on how to customize your vehicle’s Driver Mode Control settings.
  • Ensure your vehicle is in full working order before using the Drive Mode Control feature, as incorrect adjustments could compromise your safety.
  • Adjust the settings of the selected mode on the driver’s display by tapping the menu button and pressing “N.”

How To Use Drive Mode Control

Using a Knob To Select a Mode

Take the following steps to select a mode using a knob:

  • Dial the knob to select a mode.
  • Adjust the knob as necessary to match your preferences.
  • Repeat step two to access other modes.

Using a Push Button To Select a Mode

To use a push button to select a mode, follow the below steps:

  • Push “N” on the push button to access the main menu.
  • Select a mode (example: “Sport”)
  • Adjust the knob as necessary to match your preferences.
  • Repeat step two to access other modes.

Final Thoughts

The Driver Mode Control setting is a unique feature that makes your vehicle more enjoyable and responsive. While you can adjust it to match your driving preferences, you should always maintain control if you notice anything abnormal during your drive. Visit Koons Clarksville Chevrolet Buick GMC today to see how to use this feature in your vehicle.

Why Choose Koons Clarksville Chevrolet Buick GMC?

The Koons Clarksville Chevrolet Buick GMC team loves solving automotive problems and helping our customers find the perfect vehicle for their needs. We believe every customer deserves to feel comfortable in their car. That’s why we offer convenient financing options, industry-leading service, maintenance plans, and licensed professionals on staff to make your purchase a great and worry-free experience.
 

Image via Chevrolet Press Release