Eco mode?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 1,133
Likes: 627
From: McKinney, TX
Quite honestly, I don't understand the mode switching. If I need 4WD, there's a button for that. If I need to lock the rear... there's a button for that. If I need to not put my foot into it as much... there's a easy way to do that. I can see the need for trailer mode, because of the change in shift points and such... although there used to be a way to do that, too... called a 'manual transmission.' 
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,377
Likes: 292
From: SE Michigan
Quite honestly, I don't understand the mode switching. If I need 4WD, there's a button for that. If I need to lock the rear... there's a button for that. If I need to not put my foot into it as much... there's a easy way to do that. I can see the need for trailer mode, because of the change in shift points and such... although there used to be a way to do that, too... called a 'manual transmission.'
Modes are more than just 2WD, 4WD, and how hard you mash the pedal.
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 12,338
Likes: 4,349
From: SW VA
Modes should never engage 4WD on their own. That is dangerous for most drivers that don't know what they are doing, and could damage the truck. I wonder how many people play with the modes while driving down the road not knowing that they are engaging 4WD with some of them until it's too late? I'm really surprised, in all of Ford's forced nannies, that they would allow this.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,377
Likes: 292
From: SE Michigan
I wonder how many people play with the modes while driving down the road not knowing that they are engaging 4WD with some of them until it's too late? I'm really surprised, in all of Ford's forced nannies, that they would allow this.
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 12,338
Likes: 4,349
From: SW VA
They aren't engaging "on their own". The driver has to twist the dial.
I'd love to hear about all the examples you are aware of where someone changed the mode and it damaged their vehicle. Pretty sure Ford engineers have parameters built in that won't allow a change if the condition for making the change are not present. For example, try to go into 4WD LOW while doing 55 MPH.
I'd love to hear about all the examples you are aware of where someone changed the mode and it damaged their vehicle. Pretty sure Ford engineers have parameters built in that won't allow a change if the condition for making the change are not present. For example, try to go into 4WD LOW while doing 55 MPH.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,377
Likes: 292
From: SE Michigan
But you are, of course, to feel differently.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2024
Posts: 207
Likes: 87
From: Central New York
NYH1.
5th Wheeling
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 29
Likes: 19
Use it to keep throttle inputs buttery.
Holy old thread.
Holy old thread.
Last edited by Timujin; Apr 15, 2026 at 09:26 AM.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,972
Likes: 103
I use eco mode in town. Lots of traffic lights, bumper to bumper traffic, and I drive in a lot of residential neighborhoods to avoid the traffic on the main drags.
I've always said that if you want to go fast, be a man and drop $7500 on a used Busa. That will put hair on places that don't have hair.
I've always said that if you want to go fast, be a man and drop $7500 on a used Busa. That will put hair on places that don't have hair.
2nd Gear
Joined: Sep 2025
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2024
Posts: 140
Likes: 86
From: Lakes Region
The only modes my truck seems to have is ...
sleepy mode, when I don't want to go to work.
pissed off mode when the tourists are jamming up all my drives
and
Gotta **** mode, this one can get hairy as the steering becomes erratic and the pedal mashing is to the boards.
sleepy mode, when I don't want to go to work.
pissed off mode when the tourists are jamming up all my drives
and
Gotta **** mode, this one can get hairy as the steering becomes erratic and the pedal mashing is to the boards.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 239
Likes: 100
I copied this from the 2024 Ford Manual under Drive Modes. Also says low range is not available in ECO Mode.
This mode decreases accelerator pedal responsiveness to soften driver inputs and encourage efficient driving.
Depending on your vehicle’s options, adaptive cruise control is slower to return to the set speed and auto-start- stop engages more often. The system decreases air conditioning output to conserve energy when set to auto mode.
Use this mode for fuel efficient driving which allows for an extended driving range.
Note: The electronic locking differential is available below 25 mph (40 km/h). See Switching the Electronic Locking Differential On and Off - 4x2.
ECO - 4X2
This mode decreases accelerator pedal responsiveness to soften driver inputs and encourage efficient driving. Depending on your vehicle’s options, adaptive cruise control is slower to return to the set speed and auto-start- stop engages more often. The system decreases air conditioning output to conserve energy when set to auto mode.
Use this mode for fuel efficient driving which allows for an extended driving range.
Note: The electronic locking differential is available below 25 mph (40 km/h). See Switching the Electronic Locking Differential On and Off - 4x2.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2025
Posts: 224
Likes: 154
From: Southern Alberta
At best case the 7.3 is 'cut proud', while the 6.8 will knock your woman up with just a glance.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 8,627
Likes: 4,710
From: Itinerant
Haha, yet the 6.8 10r100 puts more power to the wheels, has deeper first 3 gears, and spins up quicker than the 7.3 r140 and acceleration tests hitched up to 10k verify from dig to quarter mile.
At best case the 7.3 is 'cut proud', while the 6.8 will knock your woman up with just a glance.
At best case the 7.3 is 'cut proud', while the 6.8 will knock your woman up with just a glance.