Driving modes - is there an actual difference?

[thefunkygibbon]

I never use range mode, the extra range is too small to put up with the poor low speed ride.
Normal on my CT4S is an excellent compromise for my daily use around here, with the ride/body control compromise being excellent (bravo Porsche engineers).
I use Sport infrequently and have only used Sport+ on a circuit.

I haven't used any individual modes having set up racing cars for multiple World Champions I know neither my driving talent nor my ability to optimally set up a road car makes it very unlikely I would do better than the supplied settings

well the point in individual mode is that you can change your settings to how you prefer, i'm pretty sure it has very little to do with "doing better" than what the defaults are. (they are "defaults, after all)
given the back-end differences which porsche implement based on the different modes, you might prefer having the aggressive acceleration curve, but also only want soft suspension, and medium ride height. but i'm sure you already know this.

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[MoniqueDenver]

Now that everyone has answered the when, here is the how/when.

Range matters when you're driving long distances. I've put more than 5k miles on this beast since January. When I am on the highway driving in traffic, I use Sport (typically around my city). When I'm going long distances and I've got it in cruise and no one is on the road (typical for Utah), I'm in Range. If I want to pass, I switch it to Sport.

Range gets you one less stop on a long drive and that could save you about 30 minutes. (The problem I find I need the bathroom before then, so I have to stop anyway.)

 

[f1eng]

Now that everyone has answered the when, here is the how/when.

Range matters when you're driving long distances. I've put more than 5k miles on this beast since January. When I am on the highway driving in traffic, I use Sport (typically around my city). When I'm going long distances and I've got it in cruise and no one is on the road (typical for Utah), I'm in Range. If I want to pass, I switch it to Sport.

Range gets you one less stop on a long drive and that could save you about 30 minutes. (The problem I find I need the bathroom before then, so I have to stop anyway.)

On my car range mode gains less than switching off A/C eco and I always stop for lunch at a nice restaurant with 120kW charger which is fast enough to get more than enough charge whilst we eat so adds zero to my most common long run.

We haven't visited family in Scotland yet though.

 

[MoniqueDenver]

That's smart and OP should absolutely do that, but I'm talking 1,000 km drives/day, so driving roughly 8 hours a day. By hour five on the third day, you're begging to save 30 minutes.

 

[gatorfast]

For those saying Normal mode starts in 2nd gear - are you sure? My car always starts in first regardless of mode. In Normal mode it will shift to second gear at 50mph. In sport/sport+ it does seem to hold first gear a bit longer though.

 

[mystermykee]

For those saying Normal mode starts in 2nd gear - are you sure? My car always starts in first regardless of mode. In Normal mode it will shift to second gear at 50mph. In sport/sport+ it does seem to hold first gear a bit longer though.

Is yours RWD? Only RWDs start in 1st gear regardless of mode.

 

[gatorfast]

Is yours RWD? Only RWDs start in 1st gear regardless of mode.

Yes! I didn't realize that was the case, thanks for the info.

 

[RAHRCR]

Hiya,

Just wondering, outside of Range mode where it apparently only uses rear wheel motors (?) is there any actual difference between normal/sport/sport+ or are they all just predefined chassis/suspension/sport-sound etc which you can edit in the menus anyway?

Also , what is the point in being able to change those settings within the car menu for the different modes, when they don't save those settings, only individual saves?

Yea there is a difference…especially if your car has the performance related options ticked. The car can range from GT cruiser to a fairly high strung track toy with various settings in between.

 

[OutrightPace]

I never use range mode, the extra range is too small to put up with the poor low speed ride.
Normal on my CT4S is an excellent compromise for my daily use around here, with the ride/body control compromise being excellent (bravo Porsche engineers).
I use Sport infrequently and have only used Sport+ on a circuit.

I haven't used any individual modes having set up racing cars for multiple World Champions I know neither my driving talent nor my ability to optimally set up a road car makes it very unlikely I would do better than the supplied settings

Frank, I recently saw a feature on F1 TV that said you were the first person to ever drive a Williams with active suspension, so I would still trust your opinion more than most!

 

[gtesss]

the chart is interesting to show the different variables influenced by the drive modes, but too bad it didn't come down with a brief description --- like for rear axle steering, what's different about 'normal' vs 'performance'

 

[f1eng]

Frank, I recently saw a feature on F1 TV that said you were the first person to ever drive a Williams with active suspension, so I would still trust your opinion more than most!

I was, it was my invention and the normal drivers were scared of it!

It, sadly, was raining and we only had slicks and the clutch seal leaked so I had to get first immediately after they bled it then drive without a clutch.
The active worked as hoped but it was all I could do to keep it moving!
I am an engineer not a driver though - I learned what an incredible talent F1 drivers have as a passenger.

Back in the days before telemetry I had to interpret what the driver was saying into what may be causing anything then tell the mechanics how to fix it and a lot of drivers wanted to take me round the circuit in a road car and "show me what it is doing".

Carlos Reutemann in particular liked to do this and he would sit sideways in the car explaining everything whilst driving one handed and drifting effortlessly.
Keke Rosberg just liked to scare me, as did Michael Schumacher

 

[GLM1]

Sport mode is the best for every day driving, my individual setting is sport mode with automatic regen, very little difference when compared to range mode but more fun to drive. The only time I take it out of this mode is in the winter on snow or gravel, Then I use Gravel or just let the car automatically adjust the chassis setting depending on the speed that I am driving.

 

[thefunkygibbon]

Yea there is a difference…especially if your car has the performance related options ticked. The car can range from GT cruiser to a fairly high strung track toy with various settings in between.

that's great. thanks. only just need to know what normal sport range and performance actually means lol

 

[lcarron]

Now that everyone has answered the when, here is the how/when.

Range matters when you're driving long distances. I've put more than 5k miles on this beast since January. When I am on the highway driving in traffic, I use Sport (typically around my city). When I'm going long distances and I've got it in cruise and no one is on the road (typical for Utah), I'm in Range. If I want to pass, I switch it to Sport.

Range gets you one less stop on a long drive and that could save you about 30 minutes. (The problem I find I need the bathroom before then, so I have to stop anyway.)

In range mode if you floor the accelerator we can’t go faster m than the governed speed. It save you to switch to sport if you have to pass.

 

[mystermykee]

that's great. thanks. only just need to know what normal sport range and performance actually means lol

From what I can remember reading from various tech articles, range mode either takes away power from certain components, or sets them as to achieve the greatest efficiency and/or allows for least amount of drag.

For example...

PDLS+
Range: Your lights are handicapped. Lowered brightness, less beam control if any at all. Not entirely sure but high beam assist might also be disabled
Sport: Light intensity, range, and swivel (beam direction/shaping for matrix) are increased and more affected by speed and steering angle.

PASM
I'm going to assume compression and rebound are dialed way back, and are passive instead of active. There's a reason why you can't change your chassis settings in range mode, because I assume there's more to PASM range mode than just setting ride height to low.

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