When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I've been experimenting with the various driving modes for around town travel (Auto, Comfort, and Eco) and modes when I'm on the trails (grass, mud and sand). I honestly haven't noticed real differences. I tend to keep it in auto and let the truck sort it out for itself. Has anyone found the need or benefit from selecting a mode other than "auto"?
In town, I cannot tell the difference between comfort and eco, either. Auto is a great default on pavement, particularly if the roads get wet or a bit snowy.
Comfort off-road is to be avoided -- that one IMO is for asphalt use only.
For light duty off-roading or transitioning between pavement and gravel roads, Auto works well.
If you drive on your lawn or a grassy field, grass/gravel/snow does a fine job of greatly retarding the throttle response so you do not damage the turf.
If / as you progress beyond what I noted off-road, you will find that pre-setting the correct mode before you enter a medium or very challenging off-road situation will enable the vehicle to react more quickly and complete the obstacle more effectively and confidently.
interesting, in town, I mostly drive my 21 P300 on Sport mode, not sure I feel much difference between Sport and Comfort. But for me Eco mode accelerates noticeably slower than Sport/Comfort. And on the highway, Eco mode gets significantly better gas mileage than Sport/Comfort ( I drove from New Orleans to Los Angeles and back, so had plenty of miles to test it, I think I posted my findings).
As far as the off road settings, when I was in Big Bend and Joshua Tree parks a few weeks ago, I experimented with some of the different modes, while I didn't "feel" any differences, I found myself giggling when I looked at the display and could see the dif's locking and unlocking, etc., when I hit the gas on sand, dirt and gravel. Never had this kind of tech and thought it was pretty cool. Maybe if it's working right, you're not supposed to feel the differences, the Defender just does its thing?
. And on the highway, Eco mode gets significantly better gas mileage than Sport/Comfort ( I drove from New Orleans to Los Angeles and back, so had plenty of miles to test it, I think I posted my findings).
Hmmm. Noted: I need to run a long-distance gas mileage comparison for Eco vs Auto on my next long trip.
I found myself giggling when I looked at the display and could see the dif's locking and unlocking, etc., when I hit the gas on sand, dirt and gravel. Never had this kind of tech and thought it was pretty cool. Maybe if it's working right, you're not supposed to feel the differences, the Defender just does its thing?[/QUOTE]
In all driving conditions the clutches acting within the differentials and the auto-action of the brakes cannot be felt.
But, when you get into more challenging off-road driving, you will feel the change in shift points, throttle application, rpms, and in how willing is the Defender to spin the wheels. The resulting yawing of the vehicle will be felt.
This post had me thinking about TR2 and the configurable TR options.
My mind always goes to off-road scenarios. But what about on-road.
I've not done it but I wonder if setting up an unComfort mode in TR2 with the center and rear diffs unlocked all the time. Essentially converting a full time 4WD to a RWD 2WD. Would there be any fuel savings. Probably not but just thought I'd share my nonsensical musings. Watching the diffs unlock and lock in regular on-road driving is always interesting. I'm sure there are myriad downsides. I might just do it for science.
To my knowlegde the P300, P400, P525 have all fulltime 4wd.
Only the Diesels 6 cillinder D200/250/300 have intelligent 4 wheel drive.
Disconnects front driveline & axle ( Saves a massive of 1,9% fuel )
Driving Mode - Which One?
