Mastering Every Terrain: A Guide to the 2025 Ford Explorer’s Versatile Drive Modes

The 2025 Ford Explorer offers a versatile driving experience with seven available drive modes, ensuring you’re prepared for any road or off-road adventure. From efficient city driving to rugged off-road escapades, the Explorer’s Terrain Management System™ tailors your vehicle’s performance to match the conditions. Here’s a guide to understanding when to use each drive mode:

Normal Mode

• When to Use: Everyday driving
• Why: Normal mode is the default setting, providing a balanced combination of performance, comfort, and efficiency. It's ideal for regular road conditions and offers a smooth, predictable drive.

Eco Mode

• When to Use: Long highway drives, city commutes
• Why: Eco mode maximizes fuel efficiency by adjusting the engine’s performance. This is perfect for saving gas on long trips or during stop-and-go city driving, helping you go the extra mile without frequent refueling.

Sport Mode

• When to Use: Spirited driving, winding roads
• Why: For those times when you want a more exhilarating drive, Sport mode sharpens the throttle response and keeps the transmission in lower gears longer, delivering more power and a thrilling, dynamic driving experience. It’s perfect for winding roads and open highways where you can enjoy the Explorer’s full potential.

Tow/Haul Mode

• When to Use: Towing trailers, hauling heavy loads
• Why: Tow/Haul mode is designed to enhance your Explorer’s towing capabilities. It adjusts the transmission shift points to provide more power at lower speeds, making it easier to pull heavy trailers or carry substantial loads. Ideal for family vacations with a camper or transporting large items.

Slippery Mode

• When to Use: Wet, icy, or gravel roads
• Why: Slippery mode is your go-to setting for driving on slick surfaces. It reduces engine torque and optimizes traction control to prevent wheel spin, providing better grip and stability on wet, icy, or gravel-covered roads.

Trail Mode

• When to Use: Off-road, uneven terrain
• Why: When venturing off the beaten path, Trail mode allows for controlled wheel spin, helping maintain momentum on muddy, rutted, or uneven ground. It’s perfect for off-road adventures, ensuring you can tackle challenging terrains with confidence.

Deep Snow/Sand Mode (Intelligent 4WD Only)

• When to Use: Heavy snow, soft sand
• Why: Exclusive to models equipped with Intelligent 4WD, Deep Snow/Sand mode helps you power through deep snow or soft sand. It provides the extra traction and wheel spin needed to prevent getting stuck, ensuring you can navigate the toughest conditions.

How to Use the Terrain Management System™

Using the Terrain Management System™ in your Explorer is straightforward. Simply locate the dial on your center console and twist it to cycle through the available drive modes. The digital cluster in your SUV will display a matching animation for each setting, making it easy to select the appropriate mode for your driving conditions. When you restart your Explorer, the system defaults to Normal mode, ready for the next journey.

Whether you’re navigating city streets, towing a trailer, or conquering rugged trails, the 2025 Ford Explorer’s drive modes ensure you’re always prepared. Embrace the versatility and enjoy a tailored driving experience, no matter where the road takes you.

Visit Fury Ford Waconia to test drive the 2025 Ford Explorer!