Question about Slippery Mode

[Brent@ANParts]

Unless you're driving on snow or ice, I suggest sticking to Eco or Normal. I usually only activate those types of driving modes when the situation really calls for it.

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[Meeka]

I use Slippery Mode 90% of the time.

Do it for a week consistently and it becomes the new normal to you.

It is the gentlest of all mode and gets slightly higher MPG for the long term average.

For MPG coasting is King.

Slippery is about half the regen when freewheel coasting. That is; no brake pedal or go pedal use.

Use it for long glides to visible red lights or stop signs.

No ill effects to the truck. Again, it is more gentle on your truck than normal.

Positive Side effect of constant use other than slightly higher MPG is: it requires YOU to touch the brake pedal sooner, which means your brake lamps come on sooner giving those behind you extra warning time. Plus the "no pedal" coasting will be quicker than the "no pedal" coasting of the guy behind you so it really lessens the chances of a rear-end collision in two ways.

I just don’t understand why you can use slippery mode on a hybrid all the time with no detrimental effects, but according to my Eco manual (yes my 24 came with a ‘full paper’ manual) I shouldn’t use slippery mode on dry pavement. No biggy, wouldn’t anyway, just snowy, icy roads.

 

[RFEJR]

You may not have realized, the OP has a hybrid, not an EcoBoost.
The hybrid Ecvt has no shift points, just constantly smooth acceleration.

The original reply was from a link for bronco sport which is what I'm referencing. Also my manual from 2024 contains info for both Eco Boost and Hybrid models.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

The original reply was from a link for bronco sport which is what I'm referencing. Also my manual from 2024 contains info for both Eco Boost and Hybrid models.

Bronco has a hybrid?

 

[RFEJR]

I just don’t understand why you can use slippery mode on a hybrid all the time with no detrimental effects, but according to my Eco manual (yes my 24 came with a ‘full paper’ manual) I shouldn’t use slippery mode on dry pavement. No biggy, wouldn’t anyway, just snowy, icy roads.

My manual from 2024 for my Ecoboost does not say you cannot use it on dry pavement. I have an FX4 and it only says that for Mud Ruts and Sand modes.

 

[RFEJR]

Bronco has a hybrid?

See post #3 and #6

 

[DS_Ohio]

This is an interesting topic.

So, I went to North Georgia a couple of weeks after Hurricane Helene went through. Was on the FS road that crosses the Bartram Trail at the NC/GA border. It was loose gravel and steep in spots (hadn't been 're-opened' yet) my biggest challenge was straddling the deep gully washouts right down the middle of the road. I made it down to a trail okay, but on the return uphill I had to be very careful not to smash my little mudflaps and front valance.

So, I was crawling. And when I came to a dip or rut and stopped, there wasn't a single setting I could come up with that when I gave it input, the ICE engine would remain off. It would fire up and spin the tires every way I tried. And then shut off as soon as I let off the gas. My travel companion was having a panic attack and had forgot her meds and then I saw a couple of lifted SUVs coming up behind me and I was in the middle of the road. LSS, I backed up, grabbed anything I could find, threw it in the dips and took a run at it. Made it, but I was definitely not in a great place for just FWD.

The only thing I did not try was sport mode to see if I could have crawled the gravel with ICE on the entire attempt. Have any Hybrid FWD owners encountered this situation and solved it?

 

[Meeka]

My manual from 2024 for my Ecoboost does not say you cannot use it on dry pavement. I have an FX4 and it only says that for Mud Ruts and Sand modes.

I stand corrected Raymond, you are right Sir! Went back and flipped thru a few pages and nada about slip mode, just the sand and ruts part. Have the FX4 also.

 

[HeyBales]

This is an interesting topic.

So, I went to North Georgia a couple of weeks after Hurricane Helene went through. Was on the FS road that crosses the Bartram Trail at the NC/GA border. It was loose gravel and steep in spots (hadn't been 're-opened' yet) my biggest challenge was straddling the deep gully washouts right down the middle of the road. I made it down to a trail okay, but on the return uphill I had to be very careful not to smash my little mudflaps and front valance.

So, I was crawling. And when I came to a dip or rut and stopped, there wasn't a single setting I could come up with that when I gave it input, the ICE engine would remain off. It would fire up and spin the tires every way I tried. And then shut off as soon as I let off the gas. My travel companion was having a panic attack and had forgot her meds and then I saw a couple of lifted SUVs coming up behind me and I was in the middle of the road. LSS, I backed up, grabbed anything I could find, threw it in the dips and took a run at it. Made it, but I was definitely not in a great place for just FWD.

The only thing I did not try was sport mode to see if I could have crawled the gravel with ICE on the entire attempt. Have any Hybrid FWD owners encountered this situation and solved it?

Sport mode might have made trying to feather the Go pedal interesting, as more responsive.

Tow/Haul would also have kept ICE on, without that aspect.

I've short crawled thru some roads and due to a prior down hill the HVB was charged up decently that EV was used - but I wasn't going back uphill yet either.
That indeed will require more than 10% power and ICE came on. Shoot, done that on paved roads.

But the traction control is going to behave the same either way - so if spin was happening, it wasn't because of the ICE.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

See post #3 and #6

I understand those posts are why this thread was derailed.
The op was asking a question concerning his hybrid Maverick.

I have no idea why a link to a Bronco thread was thrown in here

Scott,
The answer to your question is...NO it won't harm your hybrid's Ecvt transmission to drive in slippery mode all the time.

 

[RFEJR]

I understand those posts are why this thread was derailed.
The op was asking a question concerning his hybrid.

Ok the manual covers both.

 

[Mavster Mechanic]

Unless you're driving on snow or ice, I suggest sticking to Eco or Normal. I usually only activate those types of driving modes when the situation really calls for it.

Hybrids are different.

 

[smoreho2]

I've been experimenting with Slippery Mode for that past few days. I think it might better fit my needs for day to day driving in my area.

Are there any reasons or adverse effects that I should be concerned about? Would I be better off to use Eco or Normal modes?

I find slippery mode to be the best mode for me, especially in town. Allows better coasting and better braking in my opinion. Gas mileage, again for me, is the best in this mode. I use it all the time and so far (18,000 miles) absolutely no ill effects

 

[Deleted member 45110]

I understand those posts are why this thread was derailed.
The op was asking a question concerning his hybrid Maverick.

I have no idea why a link to a Bronco thread was thrown in here

Scott,
The answer to your question is...NO it won't harm your hybrid's Ecvt transmission to drive in slippery mode all the time.

Derailed yes.
&
Not sure would take a suggestion off a website
To Use slippery mode all the time.

Would go to manufacturer to understand drive modes.
Since its called 'slippery' would wager that is for a reason of the surface condition.

Otherwise Maybe slippery should be called...
Something different like
'optional mode okay on dry surface but also works in Slippery conditions.'

 

[Deleted member 45110]

I find slippery mode to be the best mode for me, especially in town. Allows better coasting and better braking in my opinion. Gas mileage, again for me, is the best in this mode. I use it all the time and so far (18,000 miles) absolutely no ill effects

My previous post is Not disqualifing use it all the time.
But still the question is valid...

? Have you found anywhere in Ford literature that says it is okay to use all the time on dry surface? I think that would be an added bonus if it could be used all the time and helping your driving Style and MPG.

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