How frequently do you switch drive modes in your vehicle?

      Andrew P. Collins

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      Nearly every modern vehicle offers various drive modes. Certain specialized cars go into detail; for instance, a Toyota 4Runner has several off-road traction settings, while a super sports car like a McLaren features distinct engine and handling profiles. Even your everyday car likely comes with an “eco” and “sport” button. My question is—do you utilize these options?

      In my current collection of nine vehicles, including ranch vehicles, only one has drive modes—my 2017 BMW 330 wagon. It defaults to Comfort mode but can be switched to EcoPro, Sport, or Sport+ using a rocker switch on the center console.

      While I don't engage all modes for every trip, I use them quite frequently.

      The M5 Touring offers more modes than my 330, but I still find the older model more aesthetically pleasing.

      For instance, when driving from my home in the Hudson Valley to my in-laws in the Adirondacks, I keep it in Comfort on the side roads, shift to EcoPro for the highway stretch north, and then switch to Sport for the winding roads in the hills.

      The car's overall character doesn't drastically change; the ECU merely fine-tunes how it responds to inputs. However, I genuinely value the ability to enhance the vehicle's responsiveness based on certain conditions like the aforementioned scenario. On the highway, I appreciate coasting at low rpm to conserve fuel. In the mountainous regions, the higher shift points and more aggressive throttle response are advantageous.

      I particularly enjoy BMW’s EcoPro setting from the 2010s. It reduces engine revs to idle speed when coasting, without disengaging drive. Hence, you can glide downhill at 70 mph with around 750 rpm, significantly improving fuel economy while keeping the water temperature down.

      I seldom use Sport+, which on my vehicle simply loosens stability control a bit while enhancing throttle response and increasing shift aggressiveness (I lack adjustable suspension). I usually have my dog, wife, and some cargo in the wagon when driving, so additional wheelspin is... let’s say “not favored.”

      What about you? Do you take advantage of your vehicle's drive modes? If so, where and when do you use them?

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