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Drive Modes - Normal, Sport, Track - What Do They Do?

6036 Views 44 Replies 19 Participants Last post by  Jules59
Hi,

I've just bought an ST-2 a couple of days ago. Love it! My first ST. Just curious as to what changes the different drive modes do? Normal, Sport and Track. You Tube videos say different things about what they do. Some say the suspension changes, others say it doesn't? I know Sport adds some pops and bangs to the exhaust sound, and track turns off traction control, but is there any official guidance on exactly what changes? Steering feel for each mode? Suspension changes? Throttle response? Etc?

Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Andy
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There are no suspension changes.

Sport firms the steering wheel, makes the throttle a bit more jumpy and gives you pops and bangs. Sport also disables auto switch off.

Track is the same, I think, plus turns off part of traction control.
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Sports adds pops like you say plus tightens steering and sharpens throttle and allows a little more slip in the stability control.
Track adds even more slip to the back end and drops of the traction control too.

Suspension remains the same through out but car feels tighter due to steering and throttle adjustments.

Most car journalists don't seem to know their filler cap from their dip stick.
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Don't forget sport and track switch off cylinder deactivation as well...
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There are no suspension changes.

Sport firms the steering wheel, makes the throttle a bit more jumpy and gives you pops and bangs. Sport also disables auto switch off.

Track is the same, I think, plus turns off part of traction control.
Thanks. Only had the car a few short days so still getting used to it! But love it!
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Don't forget sport and track switch off cylinder deactivation as well...
Thanks, yes aware of that, I'll try to remember to make sure it's in Normal mode if I'm cruising down the motorway to make the most of that and some fuel economy.
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There are no suspension changes.

Sport firms the steering wheel, makes the throttle a bit more jumpy and gives you pops and bangs. Sport also disables auto switch off.

Track is the same, I think, plus turns off part of traction control.
Thanks very much. I'm learning by the day, only had a few days but loving it so far. I'll be sure to be more careful if in Track mode! Thanks.
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Sports adds pops like you say plus tightens steering and sharpens throttle and allows a little more slip in the stability control.
Track adds even more slip to the back end and drops of the traction control too.

Suspension remains the same through out but car feels tighter due to steering and throttle adjustments.

Most car journalists don't seem to know their filler cap from their dip stick.
Thank you, really helpful. Just had the car a few days ago and so getting used to it. I'll be sure to be more careful if in Track mode, I don't want to end up in some field on my roof!
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Is it me or do the pops and bangs feel louder on track mode?
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Is it me or do the pops and bangs feel louder on track mode?
No idea, never used it.🤣
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Is it me or do the pops and bangs feel louder on track mode?
They wont be any different as sport and track are defined as the same parameter set in the ecu so the control for the active exhaust and overrun is all identical.
Never owned an ST before so not really experienced torque steer. The salesman at dealership said its normal for the ST due to the high torque and light weight of the Fiesta.

So to get a more truer line on the road under acceleration do i opt for Sport not Normal mode?

Also how much difference will uneven tyre wear make? , as I find the car is harder to control than any others I have ever driven ( my last being Leon FR with only 130bhp) . I got free tyre and brake check at Halfords ( yeah I know! but it was free and easy and quick to arrange) and they report my tyres range from 3mm to 8mm so wonder if that's a factor?
@Bruce67 . Do you have performance pack?
Good question, it's ST3 2019 but I just got used and ahead of it being listed on dealer website, so it was all a bit vague as to what it has or hasn't got, unless it's standard on the ST3?
Performance pack was an option on 2019 ST3, not standard! What tyres currently inhabit your rims?
But how we get pops and bangs in Sport and Track?

More fuel used or what kind of setup do they use for this?

Thanks!
Performance pack was an option on 2019 ST3, not standard! What tyres currently inhabit your rims?
Michelin pilot sport 4
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Michelin pilot sport 4
Welcome to the group 👍 do you have any plans for your mk8, or are you keeping in stock/standard?
Welcome to the group 👍 do you have any plans for your mk8, or are you keeping in stock/standard?
Gonna keep it standard for now.
Michelin pilot sport 4
Clearly not the tyres contributing to torque steer if at correct pressure and alignment. Can’t say I’ve noticed excessive torque steer, certainly not to qualify as an unruly drive, but then I do have the performance pack fitted.

If the torque steer is bad then it might be worth getting all the front alignment/geometry checked.
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