Is the towing and sport modes just sound effects with simulated rocking back and forth?

[Robert C]

I have had my 2024 Maverick Hybrid for a couple of months and just now used a mode other than the default normal.
Had occasion to tow a motorcycle - the bike was 600 pounds but the Uhaul trailer with the pocket up front for towing a single motorcycle was 1240 pounds!
So 1,860 pounds and I know you're supposed to include you and your passengers - so another 225 for me and 140 for my wife.
So 2,205 pounds - 10% over, if you include the gas a little more, it was no problem.

My question, what is that noise and rocking shifting thru 6 or 8 gears? Is the CVT really shifting like that now or is that just sound effects and simulated rocking between gears? That's what it seems to be.
Or if not why does it do that? Is it locking each gear or something - or is this whole thing simulated?
I love the CVT in it's normal mode, this is the way all vehicles should be.
I remember my first "Automatic" transmission after many sticks. I thought "this isn't automatic, it's still going thru the shifting".
The CVT is what I was expecting.
Why does it have to do this?
I ask this because I then tried "sport" mode and it does the same thing.
Seems juvenile and kind of silly to me.

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[AlsMaverick]

You are confusing towing capacity with GCVWR. Passengers are not included in towing capacity.

 

[Robert C]

You are confusing towing capacity with GCVWR. Passengers are not included in towing capacity.

But aren't you towing them?
So if you have (5) 250 pounders in the seats the towing capacity is still 2000 pounds?

 

[AlsMaverick]

But aren't you towing them?
So if you have (4) 250 pounders in the seats the towing capacity is still 2000 pounds?

No. You are carrying them. You tow what is behind you. The Groos Combined Vehicle Weight Rating is the total weight your truck, with passengers and gear, plus the weight of anything you are pulling (combined) can safely handle. You were towing 1860 lbs. Your GCVW is the truck weight plus passengers and gear, plus what you are towing.

 

[Robert C]

No. You are carrying them. You tow what is behind you. The Groos Combined Vehicle Weight Rating is the total weight your truck, with passengers and gear, plus the weight of anything you are pulling (combined) can safely handle. You were towing 1860 lbs. Your GCVW is the truck weight plus passengers and gear, plus what you are towing.

Well thank you for that info.
So what's with all the noise and rocking in towing mode "shifting" thru 6 or 8 "gears"?
Is that real or simulated?

 

[AlsMaverick]

Well thank you for that info.
So what's with all the noise and rocking in towing mode "shifting" thru 6 or 8 "gears"?
Is that real or simulated?

I don't have a Hybrid so I can't compare. I've read on another thread that the Maverick can simulate shifts for the CVT. So maybe simulated?

 

[MLA62563]

The shifting IS simulated, but it's not sound effects. The engine is basically running at all times when the engine is under throttle in sport mode, and the rpms vary to produce the shifting effect. Why anyone would want that is another question. Don't ask me...I haven't got a clue.
What I wonder, and maybe someone here can address, is why it does the same fake shifting in tow/haul mode. I can see how having the engine engaged at all times would be useful for that, but I don't see how it would benefit from the fake shift points.

 

[Jbuys]

I have had my 2024 Maverick Hybrid for a couple of months and just now used a mode other than the default normal.
Had occasion to tow a motorcycle - the bike was 600 pounds but the Uhaul trailer with the pocket up front for towing a single motorcycle was 1240 pounds!
So 1,860 pounds and I know you're supposed to include you and your passengers - so another 225 for me and 140 for my wife.
So 2,205 pounds - 10% over, if you include the gas a little more, it was no problem.

My question, what is that noise and rocking shifting thru 6 or 8 gears? Is the CVT really shifting like that now or is that just sound effects and simulated rocking between gears? That's what it seems to be.
Or if not why does it do that? Is it locking each gear or something - or is this whole thing simulated?
I love the CVT in it's normal mode, this is the way all vehicles should be.
I remember my first "Automatic" transmission after many sticks. I thought "this isn't automatic, it's still going thru the shifting".
The CVT is what I was expecting.
Why does it have to do this?
I ask this because I then tried "sport" mode and it does the same thing.
Seems juvenile and kind of silly to me.

Yes in Tow/Haul and Sport Mode the Hybrids E-CVT will simulate shifts. it basically does it by speeding up or slowing down the electric Generator/Starter Motor that is coupled to the ICE via a Planetary Gear set that can vary engine RPM and feel like a shift. Subarus that have a regular CVT will simulate shifts by having preset positions the belt pulleys will be at to simulate gear changes. They are different but kind of the same.

 

[MaveRichard]

As @Jbuys has described in detail, the shifting is entirely simulated. I'm not sure we will ever get a clear answer to the "why"

For your entertainment only. Tow and Sport mode.

 

[rdmaverick]

Wouldn’t you expect that the simulated shifting would cause more wear and tear on the CVT drive belt? If the simulated shifting is better for the CVT why wouldn’t it be the default drive method.
Maybe Ford could provide a reason for shifting simulations in tow mode.
I get it in sport mode. All about the sound and feel.

 

[Jbuys]

As @Jbuys has described in detail, the shifting is entirely simulated. I'm not sure we will ever get a clear answer to the "why"

For your entertainment only. Tow and Sport mode.

It does "feel" cool for it "shift" while getting on it in Sport Mode.

 

[Darnon]

Wouldn’t you expect that the simulated shifting would cause more wear and tear on the CVT drive belt?

There is no drive belt, it utilizes a planetary differential.

 

[Robert C]

As @Jbuys has described in detail, the shifting is entirely simulated. I'm not sure we will ever get a clear answer to the "why"

For your entertainment only. Tow and Sport mode.

Well that's just crazy
So they designed these "modes" for a 12 year old boy? Kind of like the playing card attached to a kids bicycle spokes?
Like the guy who revs a motorcycle engine for no good reason other than to hear it?
So it just stresses the parts (like the turbocharger on the 2.0 engine) but in this case for no reason at all?
I find it hard to believe the towing mode does nothing but playing games?
Doesn't Ford recommend you use towing mode for towing in the hybrid?
Why?

 

[Robert C]

It does "feel" cool for it "shift" while getting on it in Sport Mode.

Aw it doesn't feel cool at all it feels silly and pointless - and now I am realizing potentially damaging.
Man do I feel old.

 

[Robert C]

There is no drive belt, it utilizes a planetary differential.

OK on the planetary differential.

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