Driving and Traction Modes in Modern Driving Machines

The advent of international automakers in India paved the way for domestic consumer access to advanced automobile technology. The Global brands across the world have revolutionized the driving and transmission technology to design efficient and performance based models. The pioneering modification in driving mechanics and control systems of the cars which was once part of only luxury driving machines have now magnified the driving comfort of even mid segment vehicles. The internationally acclaimed automakers like Hyundai, Kia and Honda introduced trending mid-range and premium SUV’s in India with drive and traction mode which offered automated driving and steering comfort.

The drive modes in the cars like Eco, Sport and Normal/City/Comfort enable the engine control unit (ECU) to regulate the flow of fuel to the engine to manage throttle response accordingly. These modes also regulate and control the behavior of the transmission in terms of minimum and maximum engine speed permitted in each gear and the engine speed at which gear changes should occur.

Eco Mode

Eco mode maximizes fuel economy by lowering the throttle and ensuring the engine performs in the most fuel efficient manner.

Sport Mode

Sport mode makes the fuel injection system add more fuel inside the engine’s combustion chamber to offer quick responses from the throttle when the driver is in need of some added thrill and acceleration.

Normal Mode

In Normal mode, the motor behaves in a neutral manner, performing in an ideal tune to offer the best of economy and performance.

Traction Mode

The Traction modes which regulate the wheel speed is managed by the traction control system (TCS ) that analyse the speed of each wheel and see whether the wheel speed is at par with the vehicle speed. If the speed of the wheel is slower than the vehicle speed, it transfers more power to that wheel. Similarly, if a wheel is spinning at a higher speed than the vehicle speed, TCS will apply brake over that wheel in order to sync it with vehicle speed.

However in 2WD which is the wheel-drive capability of maximum cars in India , TCS will have control over two wheels that are powered.

Snow Mode

If you put the mode selector on Snow mode, the TCS will determine the surface being snowy. On such a terrain, sudden acceleration or braking can result in you losing control over the car. As the driving surface friction is low, the above-mentioned scenarios will result in skidding. So the TCS will lower the wheel speed and minimize the braking. If the vehicle is driven in a normal mode over such surfaces, it is not possible to have control over your vehicle.

Sand Mode

On a sandy terrain, the wheels can get stuck in the sand due to the low speed of the wheels. The TCS will increase the wheel speed so that they don’t get stuck in the sand. If a vehicle is moving from a standstill, higher revs will result in the sinking of wheels into the sand. So the TCS will control the revolutions of the wheels.

Mud Mode

The mud terrain requires higher revolutions and lower braking so that the vehicle can easily glide through the mud. In the Mud mode, the company claims that the wheels spin 10kmph higher than the vehicle speed which provides the extra traction. This will let the vehicle surpass the muddy terrains easily which won’t be possible in the normal mode.

The mid segment SUV’s that offer Drive mode –Tata Nexon, Kia Sonet, Hyundai Venue, Nissan Magnite, Renault Kiger, Ford Ecosport, Mahindra XUV 300 and  Mahindra KUV 100.

Premium Segment SUV that offer Drive mode and Traction Mode-Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, MG Hector , Tata Harrier, Renault Duster, MG Hector Plus, Mahindra XUV 500, Jeep Compass and Citroen C5.