What Do the Different Driving Modes On Your Car Actually Do?

It can be difficult to pinpoint when automobile driving modes became a thing. They certainly weren’t when I bought my first car, which was a 1970 Japanese import that basically consisted of an engine, four wheels and brakes. That four-on-the-floor Datsun was so simple that I could fix it myself when something went wrong, which is something I would never attempt to do with a contemporary computer-assisted vehicle.

Many sources trace the advent of driving modes to early Land Rovers and Toyota SUVs, which had a separate gear stick that allowed the driver to engage the four-wheel drive for off-road travel. Today’s driving modes rely on on-board computers and are far more complex. They vary by type of vehicle and manufacturer.

Debate exists about whether driving modes actually DO anything, but that could be because the effects can be subtle. Speaking from experience, you can own a vehicle for months without appreciating or using its full capabilities and be pleasantly surprised when you finally discover them. In this post, our experts explain the most popular driving modes and what they do.

What Is a Driving Mode?

Auto expert Alex Black explains, “Driving modes change how a car behaves by fiddling with variables such as throttle response, transmission behavior, suspension settings, and sometimes even steering feel.” They allow drivers to customize the ride according to their preferences and driving conditions.

If the vehicle has an onboard computer touch screen, driving mode settings are usually accessible through that, but you may have to activate them with buttons on the dashboard, steering wheel or transmission console. Some modes are becoming more or less standard across the industry, while others apply only to specific vehicles. For example, my plug-in hybrid has a “Save” mode that stores charge in the battery for later use — for example, when climbing hills. That mode wouldn’t make sense in a non-hybrid vehicle.

The Different Driving Modes, Explained

The five most common driving modes are Normal, Eco, Sport, Comfort and Terrain, although they may have different names, depending on vehicle. Here’s what they do:

Normal

This is the default setting. If you don’t select any other mode, the car will operate in this mode indefinitely, just like a car that has no other mode settings.

Eco

This mode is all about fuel efficiency, says Black. “It dials back throttle response and might reduce air conditioning power to save fuel. Some hybrids and EVs also adjust regenerative braking here. Great in the city, not so great if you are in a rush.”

Auto service specialist Alan Gelfand notes that BMW’s Eco mode, which it calls “Efficient Dynamics,” modifies the car’s climate control system to reduce energy consumption. Audi’s Eco Mode enables engine coasting or cylinder deactivation to save fuel when cruising on a highway.

Eco mode is increasingly common, not just in hybrids, but in gas-powered models designed to save gas.

Sport

Black calls this “fun mode.” It provides sharper throttle response, higher revs before shifting — or manual control if it’s an automatic — and a tighter steering feel. “A few,” he explains, “even firm the suspension for better handling.” It’s a common mode on smaller, more sporty vehicles, some of which may feature a “Sport Plus” or “Dynamic” mode that increases the fun factor by switching off such driver aids as traction control.

Comfort

This is Black’s personal favorite. It prioritizes a smooth ride with soft suspension settings and lighter steering. “Sometimes, in cars with Active Noise Cancelation, the cabin acoustics get quieter, too.” This mode is designed particularly for long-haul highway driving, and it is most often found on luxury cars.

Terrain

Gelfand explains this mode, which is often found in SUVs and other off-road vehicles: “It has features like terrain response and adaptive air suspension to adjust the car’s handling when on sand or snow.” Variations of this mode you might find in some 4X4 vehicles include “Snow,” “Sand,” “Rock,” and “Mud.”

Individual

“Higher-end brands have insane, customizable modes in which you can change everything yourself,” says Black. You usually make these changes on the vehicle’s touch screen.

Do Driving Modes Actually Do Anything?

Even though the effects are subtle, driving modes do make a difference. They operate through the car’s computer system to adjust throttle response, suspension and steering. This ultimately affects how the car handles, how comfortable it feels and how much fuel it consumes.

Does Driving in the Wrong Mode Hurt Your Car?

It’s unlikely driving in the “wrong” mode would hurt your car because manufacturers design cars to switch from one mode to the other. You can even switch while driving, although the best practice is to do it while the car is stationary. Keep in mind, however, that continuously driving in Sport mode increases fuel consumption and puts stress on the engine, which could wear it down prematurely. Similarly, your car will underperform if you drive it on the highway while in Terrain mode.

About the Experts

• Alex Black has been a car expert for more than 15 years, working at car auctions, vehicle history providers and elsewhere. He is currently the Chief Marketing Officer for EpicVIN.
• Alan “Ollie” Gelfand is the owner of German Car Depot, a Florida-based independent automotive service center specializing in the service and repair of German vehicles.