Do you ever use the driving modes on your Yukon?....Sport, Off-Road..

[Baja_Bob]

Does anyone ever use the drive modes like the sport, tow, off-road? I played around with the sport mode recently and didn't notice much difference in engine noise or performance. How much do they actually do?

 

[Micahsd]

I’ve never used that dial in my ‘21 Tahoe and I’ve had it for about a year.

 

[WalleyeMikeIII]

I’ll use the tow haul mode when my boat is behind me. I’ll use off road the last 10 miles of minimum maintenance road into my fishing spot in Canada this summer, the added 2” of ground clearance will be helpful.

Your need to use these other modes will depend on usage. If you never leave the pavement and don’t tow, you won’t need them.

Tow/Haul in my ‘13 was really nice to have with the boat on, especially when defending hills…probably added 25% to the life of the brakes because it held a lower gear.

 

[Bowtie_Bandit]

Basically, the driving modes adjust the transmission shifting points based upon the activity. For example , in sport mode it shifts at higher RPM. Normal will shift at lower RPMs to conserve fuel. I wasn’t aware it shifted ride height unless you are equipped with air suspension and then maybe it adjust that as well.

 

[WalleyeMikeIII]

Basically, the driving modes adjust the transmission shifting points based upon the activity. For example , in sport mode it shifts at higher RPM. Normal will shift at lower RPMs to conserve fuel. I wasn’t aware it shifted ride height unless you are equipped with air suspension and then maybe it adjust that as well.

Yes, ride height adjustment happens if equipped w/ the air suspension.

 

[SSGUNNER]

Ive used tow mode more often than the others. Tow mode helps coming on a downhill heavy with adjusting the shift points to minimize excessive brake wear. Sport mode, maybe twice when I was feeling “froggy”.

 

[R32driver]

Tow mode for sure, makes a huge difference in how the vehicle performs when dragging around a trailer. Can't comment on sport or off road, will probably never use either

 

[Baja_Bob]

I haven't tried it yet, does off-road mode have any effect in 2WD, does it shift to 4WD?

 

[DenaliCountry]

I've used sport mode once or twice just to see what it was about. In most vehicles this usually tightens the suspension, changes shift points (as mentioned above) and tightens the power steering. Any idea if this is true for the Yukon (besides the shift point changes)? Seat of the pants made me feel the suspension was tighter in sport but not sure if that's true. I use tow haul when towing of course and it makes a huge difference, however, sometimes it just hangs in low gear for way longer than my liking so I have to manually intervene to get it to shift into a higher gear to help with mileage.

 

[Baja_Bob]

It's been a while since I towed anything, last time I used tow/haul the button was on the end of the shift lever, does tow/sport prevent cylinder deactivation?

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Basically, the driving modes adjust the transmission shifting points based upon the activity. For example , in sport mode it shifts at higher RPM. Normal will shift at lower RPMs to conserve fuel. I wasn’t aware it shifted ride height unless you are equipped with air suspension and then maybe it adjust that as well.

Welcome to the Forum from NH.

Lots of knowledgeable folks here who freely share their knowledge, experiences, and perspectives. Knowledge is power.

I hope that you will become a participating member in the Forum's discussions.

Pics of the truck, please.

 

[Rangerdeepv]

Have used auto mode when a little icy and tow a bass boat so use tow mode.

 

[Eusibius2]

I've used sport mode once or twice just to see what it was about. In most vehicles this usually tightens the suspension, changes shift points (as mentioned above) and tightens the power steering. Any idea if this is true for the Yukon (besides the shift point changes)? Seat of the pants made me feel the suspension was tighter in sport but not sure if that's true. I use tow haul when towing of course and it makes a huge difference, however, sometimes it just hangs in low gear for way longer than my liking so I have to manually intervene to get it to shift into a higher gear to help with mileage.

I've tried sport mode several times and each time I'm left disappointed ('22 Z71 with a 6.2L). Not much of a gain anywhere to be felt. Trans shift points do change, but that's about it. I'll play around with it this week a bit and report back...

 

[R32driver]

Sport mode is such a useless gimmick on these. There is no argument that will change my opinion that a 6k pound square brick is not sporty just because it has a powerful v8 and has decent acceleration

 

[NYisles1]

Sport mode is such a useless gimmick on these. There is no argument that will change my opinion that a 6k pound square brick is not sporty just because it has a powerful v8 and has decent acceleration

Agree completely. Maybe the Escalade-V will be able to pull something off.

 

[Baja_Bob]

I've tried Sport mode too and didn't notice much change in performance. GM could eliminate this feature and use the microchips for something else.

 

[tagexpcom]

2021 Yukon Denali - magneride only.

Tow-mode - I use this to pull our 5500lb camp trailer and we're in very mountainous region. 2 things... 1) The rig doesn't 'groan' like it does in normal-mode but rather accelerates/pulls/cruises more smoothly and 2) really like the automatic downhill mountain grade auto-braking.

Sport-mode - I use this often around town as it noticeably tightens things up driving around town - rig doesn't feel so much like a wallowing 'boat'. I come from a 2004 SRX V8 AWD which is a small, responsive sport car compared to Yukon

Normal-mode - The default, when not towing, it's OK and a lot of the time I just don't bother to do Sport.


LOVE the Rig for towing/camping and highway cruising - nice, nice rig.

 

[jerry455]

I love putting my 2021 6.2 HC Suburban in sport mode. It firms up the handling and shifts. It is magna ride only, also.