Winter weather operation.

[Mrmike]

I'll be facing my first full winter and snowstorms with my '23 OBX this year. I have a question for you folks that have more experience with the GOAT modes than me. The question is which mode is best for driving in snow? Normal or Slippery. When does the Slippery mode help the most?

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[DirtyLuke]

Normal, unless you're driving through fresh unplowed snow.

 

[Alfa 2407]

From all the testing I've seen, slippery doesn't affect traction control in the snow, rather reduces engine throttle response and lowers torque, I saw it in a video on a 21 bsbb, I tried to find the video again but I can't seem to, just drive careful, assume no one else knows how to drive, and remember everything you have already learned about driving in the snow, and you will be just fine ??

 

[NMhunter]

Remember, 4 wheel drive helps you go, but it doesn't help you stop. On the way to the ski area you'll see 4WD vehicles in the ditch. They forget. Maintain a huge following distance.

Gentle on the throttle is best in slippery conditions. So, if Alfa 2407is right about slippery mode, that would be my choice. My jeep turbo diesel would give a real kick when the turbo kicked in at 1700 rpm. It would skid the back end on dry pavement if you weren't careful. The BS is much better behaved and seems to taper in the torque from the turbo.

 

[Mark S.]

This topic starting at the linked post discusses this very question in depth.

https://www.broncosportforum.com/forum/threads/rear-tires-slipping-in-snow-slush.10273/page-4#post-178959

 

[BourbonRunner]

I tested it yesterday at highway speeds during a rain/snow event. Granted, it was just above freezing but I noticed that switching into slippery mode reduced throttle response, that's it.

 

[metalbender]

Proper tires are probably more important than the GOAT modes

 

[sajohnson]

I was going to link to the other thread, but Mark beat me to it (post #5 above).

I posted the section on the GOAT modes from our 2022 BS manual in post #63. Also see #68 and 74.

Mark makes a good point about using NORMAL mode when road surface conditions are variable -- dry/wet/snow/ice.

If the roads are entirely snow & ice covered then I'd be inclined to use the SLIPPERY mode.

 

[sajohnson]

Proper tires are probably more important than the GOAT modes

Better to have FWD (preferably with traction control) and good winter tires like the Michelin X-Ice, than AWD or 4WD with "all-season" or even all-weather tires.

A vehicle running all-season tires (including the BS) will require more distance to stop than one on winter tires. That can lead to some white knuckle situations.

When there are no other vehicles around, I like to test the brakes, to get a sense of how much traction there really is. More than a few times I was confidently rolling along at what seemed like a safe speed, only to hit the brakes and have the ABS frantically kick in, and it felt like the car sped up! Not a pleasant sensation.

When safe, brake tests are a very good 'reality check.'

 

[Escape2Bronco]

Like others have said, unless it is really icy, normal is the best way to go. They probably should have called it “Really Slippery Mode”. The lack of throttle response is unnerving to me.

 

[sajohnson]

Like others have said, unless it is really icy, normal is the best way to go. They probably should have called it “Really Slippery Mode”. The lack of throttle response is unnerving to me.

Your comment about the lack of throttle response being unnerving got me thinking.

In the other thread that Mark linked to above, I posted that prior to getting the BS BL, our 2 newest vehicles were our 2002 WRX and 1997 RAV4. Needless to say, they have no driving 'modes'. The only thing that is computer controlled is the ABS. The center diff in the RAV can be locked (equivalent to 4WD-high) but that just locks it into 4WD, it does nothing else.

So when I first thought about the GOAT modes, I focused on the 4-wheel drive lock and rear diff lock -- features that were somewhat familiar. After reading about the GOAT modes, I realized that there is a lot more going on. Depending upon the mode, the following can be altered by the computer:

* Steering
* Braking
* Throttle
* Shift points
* Most importantly, "engine sound".

All of which might be considered good, bad, or neutral depending upon the individual.

So other than not using any GOAT modes on wet/dry pavement, it seems there aren't any hard and fast rules. It's good to be aware of what each mode does, but beyond that much is subjective.

 

[Mark S.]

* Most importantly, "engine sound".

You have no idea how much enhanced engine sounds affect driver confidence. Vroom, vroooom!

 

[Escape2Bronco]

You have no idea how much enhanced engine sounds affect driver confidence. Vroom, vroooom!

How about us without the premium package and no engine noise enhancer?

 

[Bucko]

I'd "take the bus" mode.

 

[sajohnson]

How about us without the premium package and no engine noise enhancer?

Don't shoot the messenger, but, there's no other way to say it -- you will suffer a degraded driving experience. How can one truly enjoy being behind the wheel without the sound of a V8 with dual exhaust being pumped through the stereo?

<Later> Wait a minute -- you mean the engine noise enhancer only comes with the premium package?! D'OH! I guess I have no choice but to trade in our stripped BS BL...

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