How to launch the Lightning

AdmiralYamo · Feb 19, 2023

I wanted to share some things I noticed from the chicago auto show and my own truck.

Taking a ride in the lightning experience they had at the auto show i was throw back in my seat much harder than with my Lariat ER truck.

I noticed they did some things differently and after doing it, i got the same slam back into the seat.

Dont use one pedal drive
Turn sport mode on
Hold the brake

I noticed if you hold the brake, step on the gas to load the truck and then release the brake you really feel how great this truck is. I used to do this same method with one pedal drive on and it was very underwhelming and felt like this truck was very slow on take off and was power limited. With one pedal disengaged, the truck will want to move on you if you dont hold the brake hard enough.

I have no idea how bad this is for your brakes but seeing the lightning booth just kept doing this to the truck for almost a week and 8hrs or so a day, i cant imagine its that bad.

Figured i throw it here for everyone in case.

JC688 · Feb 19, 2023

The brakes are hardly used in normal driving, this would be good to exercise the brakes too

TaxmanHog · Feb 19, 2023

This is an awesome tip for drag racing the Lightning

Lightning Rod · Feb 19, 2023

Bookmarked

AdmiralYamo · Feb 19, 2023

I kept flooring it off the stop light from one pedal drive and ill be honest it was kind of sad and depressing and not super impactful.

One pedal drive off was wayyyyyy better!

Tried with the locking diff but i didnt notice any difference.

lightspeed · Feb 19, 2023

That's interesting. I usually run in sport because I like how it's tuned.

I very much doubt that holding the brake while pressing the accelerator actually powers the motors. The drivetrain system should shutdown the motors on any brake actuation. I will check this on OBD2 reader tonight.

So I wonder if that actually measures any different then just mashing the pedal, but if it does, then I wonder if it's a built in 'drag' mode that brake applied with throttle means unlock full power acceleration.

How far down did you press the accelerator while holding the brake?

AdmiralYamo · Feb 19, 2023

lightspeed said:
That's interesting. I usually run in sport because I like how it's tuned.

I very much doubt that holding the brake while pressing the accelerator actually powers the motors. The drivetrain system should shutdown the motors on any brake actuation. I will check this on OBD2 reader tonight.

So I wonder if that actually measures any different then just mashing the pedal, but if it does, then I wonder if it's a built in 'drag' mode that brake applied with throttle means unlock full power acceleration.

How far down did you press the accelerator while holding the brake?

To me its very obvious between one pedal drive on and one pedal drive off. When you leave opd on, the brake almost cuts the power off. If opd is off i noticed with even a moderate amount of brake pressure the accelerator breaks the holding power of the calipers and i really have to press the brake down.

lightspeed · Feb 19, 2023

AdmiralYamo said:
To me its very obvious between one pedal drive on and one pedal drive off. When you leave opd on, the brake almost cuts the power off. If opd is off i noticed with even a moderate amount of brake pressure the accelerator breaks the holding power of the calipers and i really have to press the brake down.

Yup, I checked it with obd2 (and it's pretty obvious when just trying it) and the motor does get torque when the brake is applied. I didn't try max accelerator to see if it's limited by the brake, but it definitely torque brakes.

AdmiralYamo · Feb 19, 2023

lightspeed said:
Yup, I checked it with obd2 (and it's pretty obvious when just trying it) and the motor does get torque when the brake is applied. I didn't try max accelerator to see if it's limited by the brake, but it definitely torque brakes.

Oh wow... i didnt dig into it that deep but that definitely reflects how the truck reacts between one pedal drive and not one pedal drive.

I was theorizing on the sport mode but I am not 100% certain that will also get you better performance over nornal mode or tow haul.

brewski · Feb 19, 2023

While I drive OPD in my wife's S, I prefer good 'ole 2 pedal.

eRockBoon · Feb 19, 2023

The way regenerative braking occurs so effectively when OPD is off I would guess both are nearly the same efficiency.

cvalue13 · Feb 20, 2023

STILL THOUGH: while this “sequence” may be the best way to “launch” the Lightning in terms of achieving max speed ofline such as it is, it is NOT what I consider a proper launch sequence in terms of altering the vehicle’s performance for launching (eg optimizing launch traction, adjust steering settings, steering wheel feel, minimizing torque steering, etc.)

I’ve been “launching” the way described here since the beginning, and the truck continues to want to torque steer like a funnycar hitting a headwind

“Sport” is a drive mode, while a proper launch control is specially calibrated tuning meant to alter a vehicle’s response and performance for getting off the line safely (thus the “control”) and at maximum speed.

Would still love Ford to provide an OTA update for a true launch sequence enabling a true launch control tuning.

IdeaOfTheDayCom · Feb 20, 2023

I’m definitely going to try it… I’ve already shocked quite a few friends when I gave them a test drive.

Here’s the video of me taking my ride at last April’s NY Auto Show. Right after the ride, my first reaction was simply “take my money!”.

As a registered reservation holder, they let me bypass the line and interviewed me on video for about 30 minutes after the ride.

If you’re still waiting for your order, I absolutely recommend you take a ride at a regional auto show. It really made me feel good about my order.

Ford F-150 Lightning How to launch the Lightning 1676946768622

theblunden · Feb 20, 2023

This will be the first thing I do tomorrow when I get in my truck in the morning

Thanks for the tip....

merek · Feb 20, 2023

Does anyone know if any power is being left on the table due to tires? It's hard to tell if its cutting power, even with traction control off.

Would be interesting to see how it performs with proper summer tires.

How to launch the Lightning

AdmiralYamo

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