Which GOAT mode do you use most often?

[SubmarineNuke]

Normal

It’s my daily and I drive to and from work so it’s in Normal most of the time. Occasionally I swap it to Sport for a little giddy up. But haven’t been able to use the off-road modes yet, mg off-roading has been rock crawling and the Wildtrak doesn’t have Rock mode.

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[mattymik]

I would prefer to use Eco more often but I usually forget to resume it, so I spend the most time in Normal.

To this point, is there a way to change the default?

 

[Sparkherd]

Normal. I have a stick shift. GOAT modes are silly marketing if you have a manual.

ZACKLY!!!

 

[Tricky Dick]

To this point, is there a way to change the default?

Not that I know of.

 

[Drafting_Monkey]

Always in normal. I’ve tried eco and sport, just think it’s pointless in a vehicle like this. I finally got to use slippery on Thursdays commute home. Worked well in the snow.

 

[ROCKO]

Should normal really be a mode option on the poll? Seems obvious majority would use it.

 

[604Bronco]

Always in normal. I’ve tried eco and sport, just think it’s pointless in a vehicle like this. I finally got to use slippery on Thursdays commute home. Worked well in the snow.

I used “slippery” mode the other day too. Not sure I understand what it does exactly, other than putting it into 4A - which I can do separately.

 

[TeocaliMG]

Whoops, I voted before fully realizing "Normal" was an option. I voted for Rock Crawl, because I use that more than any other mode other than obviously normal. I basically always run normal unless more serious off-roading, in which case its Rock Crawl or Baja all the way.

I would be curious to see how others answer with Normal omitted which seems obvious as the default...

 

[nd2002]

I used “slippery” mode the other day too. Not sure I understand what it does exactly, other than putting it into 4A - which I can do separately.

It changes the throttle response also. Makes it more numb to reduce wheelspin

You can test it out by starting in Slippery, and switching to Normal while accelerating gently

 

[amazingjason]

Should normal really be a mode option on the poll? Seems obvious majority would use it.

Many here seem concerned with fuel economy and talk about using eco. I expected more people to vote for eco. I’m surprised that more use sport than use eco.

Jason

 

[timhood]

Wow! That surprised me! I drive in ECO because the throttle is less sensitive and I can get smoother shifts through the lower gears with the 10 auto. Yup, I’m a Grandpa!!

Anyone can stomp the throttle to the floor. Driving smoothly takes some learning (as the car learns me?) and finesse.

Edit: I guess only 2 people had responded when I had commented. I thought the SPORT MODE people would take it…..

I'm with you. One thing I don't care for on our Escape is that normal driving uses 1%-5% of the accelerator. I don't drive like a senior citizen on Sunday, I just want 20% accelerator input to give 20% engine output. Eco mode feels most accurate, and it still responds if you mash the pedal. I have the 2.7, so maybe it's different for 2.3 owners.

 

[timhood]

I used “slippery” mode the other day too. Not sure I understand what it does exactly, other than putting it into 4A - which I can do separately.

I used slippery recently when it was snowing and roads were low grip with ice and slush in parts. I could immediately feel the difference in the drivetrain (4WD) as well as steering and accelerator feedback. It definitely felt like it responded to both with much less sensitivity.

 

[Gassyjack]

Have the manual transmission so I’ve never changed the mode from “normal “. Have only used 4A on transfer case and it has been fine on snow packed and icy roads.
Never once has it felt squirrelly even at highway speed.

 

[Ground_zero298]

Mine never leaves normal. Even when off-roading. Like the way the power band is in it.

 

[_jeff]

It makes the skinny peddle "touchier" which if anything gives you worse control. In theory it makes the steering stiffer, but I can't feel a difference.

I use Sport mode all the time in my wife's F-150 because I get better gas mileage. But the F-150 has one of those auto-magic transmissions with way too many gears.

I agree that some of the goat mode usefulness is negated by driving a manual transmission – the correct type of transmission. /s

That being said, I've noticed the difference in both steering and throttle response and the difference in both is rather useful off-road.

On a recent trip along the Mojave Trail there were long sections that oscillated between dried out ruts and deep, soft dry river bed that showed the difference better Mud/Ruts and Sand well. I don't have Sport mode but can say that the throttle responsiveness in Baja mode is definitely useful in higher-speed sections particularly if there are tight turns involved.

I voted Normal because I don't live off-road and it takes time to reach trails so I thought I'd add my top three for comparison. This doesn't necessarily take specific trips into account which might use entirely different modes based on terrain and climate.

Warm season​	Cold season​
Normal Rock Crawl Baja	Normal Slippery Mud/Ruts

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