Question about Slippery Mode

[Fender66]

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?

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[surfstar]

I dislike when it feels like my brakes don't work, so I never use it.

I also don't believe that it gets any better mpg vs Eco. Eco should also lower the heat / A/C output and therefore use less gas. Not sure any other mode does that.

... but, if it works for you, go for it.

 

[RR - All the way]

I think it is a great feature when road conditions warrant its use.

Attaching a URL from Ford Service Content:

Drive Modes - Slippery

EDIT: As post number 6 of this thread points out, the above URL I posted applies to the Bronco, NOT the Maverick. Sorry for the error.

 

[Fender66]

That answered my question. Thanks

 

[RFEJR]

Maybe this changed from 2024 to the 2025 model year but my manual is a little different.

SLIPPERY
This mode lowers accelerator
pedal responsiveness, adjusts
transmission shift points, and
optimizes traction and stability controls to
help mitigate wheel spin and maintain
vehicle control in slick driving conditions.
Depending on your vehicle’s options, this
feature adjusts all-wheel drive control to
provide optimum traction for slippery
surfaces.
Use this mode for less than ideal road
conditions such as snow and ice covered
roads or for firm surfaces that are covered
with loose or slippery materials.

 

[SafetyGuy]

That answered my question. Thanks

I checked out the link provided, and it is regarding a Bronco Sport...so good info but the post #5 hits more of the points for a Mav Hybrid. Youe manual should give you pertinent info as well.

Also, I believe that cruise control would be inoperative because, well...the last thing you want to use in slippery conditions is cruise control due to the possibility of your truck losing traction and then you lose control!

I will wait and see if I am incorrect on the cruise control assumption (will test next time we are driving our Maverick) and report back.

Cheers

Andy

 

[RR - All the way]

I checked out the link provided, and it is regarding a Bronco Sport...so good info but the post #5 hits more of the points for a Mav Hybrid. Youe manual should give you pertinent info as well.

Also, I believe that cruise control would be inoperative because, well...the last thing you want to use in slippery conditions is cruise control due to the possibility of your truck losing traction and then you lose control!

I will wait and see if I am incorrect on the cruise control assumption (will test next time we are driving our Maverick) and report back.

Cheers

Andy

You are correct. I provided a link to a Bronco. Sorry!

 

[SafetyGuy]

You are correct. I provided a link to a Bronco. Sorry!

No worries RR! I found it interesting to read and see what it said.

Have a good one,

Andy

 

[Cherokee]

I use slippery to climb my steep gravel roads.

Per my individual wheel power graph on the center console screen behind the steering wheel slippery equally powers all four wheels all the time.
That and putting it in LOW is my most powerful slow climb.
Getting in low lets me get the rpm’s up just enough to engage my turbo.
2000 rpm’s at 10 mph, my turbo starts to spool up at 1700-1800 rpm. With the Turbo engaged and in low gear I’m running just enough RPM to prevent lugging that can happed at 1300-1400 rpm.
I always use low, this helps the engine.

If you’re fast and watching you get to see the power cut off to a spinning loose wheel.
It’s fast because traction almost instantly comes back as that spinning wheel slows up and gets some grip back.

I climb just fine in normal mode and low BUT
It makes the front drive do more than the back per the gage.
I feel I’m spreading the load in slippery and it’s noticeably better.
I can stop mid climb and smoothly restart rather briskly.
We have a Subaru and a Toyota Rav that cannot stop mid climb and restart. They both have to back down and start over.

Like I said this one section is steep. The Toyo and the Subaru mostly take the long way around.

 

[SafetyGuy]

I use slippery to climb my steep gravel roads.

Per my individual wheel power graph on the center console screen behind the steering wheel slippery equally powers all four wheels all the time.
That and putting it in LOW is my most powerful slow climb.
Getting in low lets me get the rpm’s up just enough to engage my turbo.
2000 rpm’s at 10 mph, my turbo starts to spool up at 1700-1800 rpm.

If you’re fast and watching you get to see the power cut off to a spinning loose wheel.
It’s fast because traction almost instantly comes back as that spinning wheel slows up a gets some grip back.

I climb just fine in normal mode and low BUT
It makes the front drive do more than the back per the gage.
I feel I’m spreading the load in slippery and it’s noticeably better.
I can stop mid climb and smoothly restart rather briskly.
We have a Subaru and a Toyota Rav that cannot stop mid climb and restart. They both have to back down and start over.

Like I said this one section is steep. The Toyo and the Subaru mostly take the long way around.

Good day

Now that is a good synopsis from someone who is on the throttle and relating the feel and readings from the dash!

It really sounds effective in its usage of available traction to the 4 tires.

I use slippery mode everytime it gets slippery out and winter is coming to Southern Manitoba next week.

Andy

 

[HeyBales]

Not sure how many can see the difference between responses from EB drivers which is going to be potentially very different than hybrid drivers.

Especially AWD vs FWD which was not stated by OP.

For the hybrid since question was posted under the hybrid drivetrain section:

Slippery mode eases the Go pedal - that MAY allow you to stay on the edge of EV only mode when you don't really need to slip over to ICE assist.
Then again your foot could just learn to do that anyway and be just as good at it. Lot of range on the Go pedal.
Or your driving scenarios don't really benefit anyway - enough inclines and you may rarely if ever be on the verge. May always be ICE up and EV level/down.

Slippery mode eases the coasting regen - that may allow you to coast more easily, instead of pushing the Go pedal enough to remove the regen and freewheel where helpful with ICE off. Same skillset as above, can get good at it since big range on Go pedal.
Again - driving scenarios matter. Don't have almost level coasting, may not matter.

Slippery mode causes the braking regen to be squeezed into the last 15-20% of the available space, before the brake pads are applied.
Again - you could get good at that, but the brake pedal doesn't have nearly as much range as the Go pedal - if having trouble with Go pedal, you'll likely have issues here too.
Which means you'll be going past regen into the pads easily.
Again - driving scerarios matter - if long coasting available with few lights, might fit well. If Stop & go traffic with many lights without much lead time, might be wasting regen going into pads constantly.

This mode also causes the rear pads to be brought in 1st every so slightly more when you do go past regen into the pads.
Also calms the cruise-control response trying to get back up to speed - if using below 60 mph that may matter to stay in EV mode, if faster probably won't help since not in EV mode.
And yes - CC does work in this mode.

And then for the actual slippery conditions - Cherokee's great synopsis.

 

[Deleted member 45110]

I use slippery to climb my steep gravel roads.

Per my individual wheel power graph on the center console screen behind the steering wheel slippery equally powers all four wheels all the time.
That and putting it in LOW is my most powerful slow climb.
Getting in low lets me get the rpm’s up just enough to engage my turbo.
2000 rpm’s at 10 mph, my turbo starts to spool up at 1700-1800 rpm.

If you’re fast and watching you get to see the power cut off to a spinning loose wheel.
It’s fast because traction almost instantly comes back as that spinning wheel slows up a gets some grip back.

I climb just fine in normal mode and low BUT
It makes the front drive do more than the back per the gage.
I feel I’m spreading the load in slippery and it’s noticeably better.
I can stop mid climb and smoothly restart rather briskly.
We have a Subaru and a Toyota Rav that cannot stop mid climb and restart. They both have to back down and start over.

Like I said this one section is steep. The Toyo and the Subaru mostly take the long way around.

As to the subaru on steep slope cannot stop and go must back down.
Do you think thats because of cvt? Or low power.

Same question about rav4?
Brothers is cvt prime but can do what you are mentioning. Notably has more power than subi. Very active torgue vectoring.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

Maybe this changed from 2024 to the 2025 model year but my manual is a little different.

SLIPPERY
This mode lowers accelerator
pedal responsiveness, adjusts
transmission shift points, and
optimizes traction and stability controls to
help mitigate wheel spin and maintain
vehicle control in slick driving conditions.
Depending on your vehicle’s options, this
feature adjusts all-wheel drive control to
provide optimum traction for slippery
surfaces.
Use this mode for less than ideal road
conditions such as snow and ice covered
roads or for firm surfaces that are covered
with loose or slippery materials.

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

 

[Mavster Mechanic]

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 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.

 

[Mavster Mechanic]

And brake pedal use does not mean friction brake use.

I get 100% regen almost every stop in Slippery mode. It does not change how much regen is recuperated. It only changes the strength of the no pedal coast. And the sensitivity of the go pedal which may help you stay in EV mode at slow speeds too!

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