Sport GOAT mode default setting

[FoCoBronc]

I’ve wondered this several times and don’t recall any discussion. Why does Sport mode default to 4A? It seems like 2H would provide superior performance.

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[BroncoChallenger]

If you have 4A then you have the clutched AdvanceTrak or whatever they're calling it now, transfer case. What this means is that when you're putting power down, if the tires aren't spinning/slipping, it'll put most of the power to the rear tires. If the rears are slipping or spinning, it'll put more power to the front tires.

In this mode it is acting like an AWD system, for better or worse. And if you've ever watched rally cross races, the AWD vehicles put down better times on average than 2WD, whether they're FWD or RWD.

So the idea with Sport mode defaulting to 4A, is that it'll give you better performance because if you start to lose traction it'll automatically push power elsewhere.

My wife's Expedition does the same, and it's actually impressive in that tank how much more responsive it becomes in Sport/4A over 2H.

 

[FoCoBronc]

Interesting, I falsely assumed more moving mechanical pieces in AWD would create drag. When I had a 3 series BMW I always heard or thought that rear wheel drive cars out performed AWD cars. Your explanation makes sense. Thanks

 

[Nibroc99]

Interesting, I falsely assumed more moving mechanical pieces in AWD would create drag. When I had a 3 series BMW I always heard or thought that rear wheel drive cars out performed AWD cars. Your explanation makes sense. Thanks

It really depends on the surface type. On loose or wet surfaces, in a straight line, 4A is better as it favors 4x4 mode when accelerating heavily, thus anticipating slip as opposed to reacting to slip. In a straight line on dry pavement, you'll get better acceleration in 2WD. However, if you're accelerating through a turn, 4A will be what you want to pull the front end into the turn, preventing understeer that you'd otherwise experience in 2WD. It really depends on the application. I find that leaving it in 4A until I get on the highway is the best cours eof action. If you drive like this often, make sure to do fluid exchanges on your transfer case and transmission and diffs often - I do it every 50-75k miles.

 

[HighVelocity]

4 grippy feet make go faster.

 

[BroncoChallenger]

Interesting, I falsely assumed more moving mechanical pieces in AWD would create drag. When I had a 3 series BMW I always heard or thought that rear wheel drive cars out performed AWD cars. Your explanation makes sense. Thanks

Nibroc did a better job describing it - it really depends on the application, the layout/power of the vehicle, surface, etc. Straight-line on pavement or concrete, RWD shines...until the back tires slip, then having the extra power shunted to the front wheels picks up the slack. Long, sweeping corners like a NASCAR track? No real advantage to AWD here either.

But loose gravel/dirt and corners? AWD is going to shine brightly.

 

[Desmolicious]

The fact that the Bronco comes with the 4A setting is yet another reason why I cancelled my 6Gen 4Runner order. With the 4Runner, the only models that have 4A are the street queens - Limited and whatever the other luxury version is.
None of the off road capable versions have 4A. It's a big deal for on road driving in slippery/mixed conditions (wet/snowy/icey roads).
Also super cheap of Toyota given that the current LandCruiser 250 has permanent 4A.

 

[Bdamdifino]

I have the 2.7L 2-door Badlands, ProCal4 tune, added Sport Mode and let me tell you, unless you like your back bumper passing you, you want 4A. In 2H it is Squirrelyer than a pet coon! 4A and she stays where I put her. Dunno how it is for the 4-door. As far as fuel mileage I bought it for Smiles per Gallon, not Miles per Gallon I'm somewhere around 15.8 - 16.5 with my lead foot.

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