All I know is that I have drive-ability issues coming up the mountain in normal mode. Tow mode pretty much fixes that issue. Sport mode not only fixes it, but adds a little spice.

I can still shift it in manual mode if I like, but there is a bit of a lag in shifts when commanded via the +/- buttons.

 

As does Tow/Haul. In fact, as I'm sure all know, it introduces engine-braking - and too much at times.

Anyway, it really is amazing how Jekyll/Hyde Ford was able to make these trucks with the push of a button.

 

I haven't used either tow/haul or sport yet. A post above intrigued me regarding downshifting on steep/long downhills.

A place I go for day trips to fish is up (and down) a steep and windy road (HWY198 to Sequoia National Park for those familiar). The trip back down requires a lot of braking and I'd be interested to hear thoughts on which mode would be better for downshifting and engine braking on that kind of road to avoid wearing the brakes. Would tow/haul or sport be more efficient to use? Also, I guess, which one would be less wear and tear on the engine and transmission over the long term?

 

If it's a lot of long, steep slopes, the Hill Descent Control is probably the best option. Otherwise, try both and see what works. Both options have engine braking.

 

Tow/Haul would be better for engine braking, so would be better than Sport as it doesn't seem to do that.

 

What I do for long downhills is just lock out the upper gears. My daily drive is about a 6 mile downhill stretch with a posted speed limit of 30 MPH. The first couple miles is steeper and more windy, so I usually lock out all but 1 & 2. There is a sweeping corner at the 2-mile point where the slope eases a bit, so I enable 3 at that point. Once I get to "the flats" I re-enable 4-6.

I don't use either tow/haul or sport, as I feel the transmission control program waits until it's too late, and then is more aggressive than I like.

 

I've only had my truck a few months, but I've been experimenting on hills with either Tow Haul or locking out gears. On roads I'm familiar with, locking out the higher gears seems be the smoothest method for me so far. I think if I had a heavier load or I didn't know the road so well, Tow Haul might be the better option. My experience with Sport Mode has been mostly by accident when I forget to tap the Tow Haul button a second time.


I'm surprised that there isn't more information about Tow Haul, Sport Mode, and Hill Descent out there.

 

That's the fun button! I'm also not allowed to use it when the girlfriend is in the truck.

 

Might be a stupid question, but how do you use the gear lockout? I can't find anything in my manual. Any specific do's or don'ts? Like do you need to keep your foot off the accelerator when locking a gear out or adding it back in? Or is it all pretty computerized?

I'm assuming it's the "+" and "-" buttons on the shift lever (I have a steering column shifter).

 

If you click (-) on the shifter while the selector is on "D", it will turn off the upper gears in the display. So if you're going down a hill, and the transmission is in 6th, one click will lock out 6. Two clicks will lock out 6 and 5. Three clicks will lock out 6, 5, and 4. And so on. Don't forget to click (+) when you go up the other side.

 

Also, if you click the + button it will show all the gears and what one you are in.

 

Ah, thanks!

Can I assume that when the engine is turned off and back on again everything resets? I.e, if I had 6th locked out, stopped to get gas and restarted the engine, 6 would be back on?

 

Yes, but not the indicator of what gear you are in.

 

That's because acceleration / performance is crap in 6th gear unless you are well over 70MPH. Sport mode is therefore working as it should.

Many people report virtually the same gas mileage when using sport mode vs. not. In fact a few people claim better mileage. I never got better mileage, but found it more enjoyable in most driving conditions. It's fine over 60MPH. I think many people misunderstand how it works. Essentially it just changes where the transmission shifts according to a set table. At 70MPH you will get the same gas mileage whether you are in sport mode or not. Your drive ratios are the same and you'll be in sixth either way. Where sport mode really sucks is in traffic where it will hold a gear longer than you'd like.

I normally locked out 6th on my F-150 regardless. In 6th I had no passing power under 80MPH or so. For the same reason, I never used 6th on my 2005 GTO and I don't use it on my 2016 Mustang GT unless I am locked in on a straight highway road with almost no other vehicles around. If I suddenly need passing power, it just isn't there in 6th unless you are going really damn fast.

This may be true. I've never driven a 2015+ F-150 with 3.73's. Only 3.31 and 3.55 gears.

I think the shift points are different. I don't know if anything else changes between the two modes.

Again I locked that crap out unless I was on a highway for a long period of time with little to no traffic.

My girlfriend HATED sport mode. She noticed right away when I discovered that as she said she hated the harsher shifts.

 

I've been locking out higher gears going uphill also. There is less shifting and the ride seems smoother.