Can FORScan turn on Slippery Mode and previous Drive Mode for pre-2025 Trucks?

[Lightning Bronson]

If it would let me I’d put the truck into “slippery mode” when in cruise control on the freeway. I think it’s far too aggressive in its push to return to the set cruise control speed with its default settings.

I'd love a custom driving mode or something...

I want to be able to customize how gradual acceleration is, how aggressive is, and how stiff the steering wheel turns.

...I want the steering wheel of Normal mode, the Regen of Sport mode and the acceleration of Slippery mode ?

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[Kansan]

Would not the anti-lock braking function take care of any excessive braking going on by regeneration? What other automatic steering & braking functions might help in poor traction situations? Is going slow and leaving plenty of car lengths the only options?

It’s the surprise slick conditions that develop. It’s possible to lose traction at slow speeds if the available friction is low enough.

There were videos this winter of Lightnings unable to stop and sliding down icy roads with the wheels locked (not steering control in this condition). I’m assuming that the problem was that the extremely slippery condition allowed the regen to stop the wheels and for the ABS system to think the truck was stopped. The the truck would benefit from a zero regen mode to address this type of condition.

SOP for driving with ABS for the past decades is to step on the brake and let the system work. If the wheels lock and you’re sliding, SOP is to take your foot off the brake to allow the wheels to free wheel, returning some steering control (then try again with the brake). In the past 30 years of driving with ABS, I’ve encountered this type of situation (ABS locking the wheels due to extremely slick surface - for example water on ice at an intersection) many times with many vehicle brands, and have always managed to regain control and avoid a crash by following SOP.

Without a zero regen mode, how do we get the wheels to roll without power or braking being applied when trying to stop on an extremely low friction surface? It seems like feathering the throttle in this condition would be one option - but I have a hard time getting zero throttle/brake on dry pavement (much less trying to do it in the few seconds at a slick intersection trying to regain steering control). I haven’t tried it, but shifting to neutral might be the best bet without a zero regen mode.

 

[RickLightning]

It’s the surprise slick conditions that develop. It’s possible to lose traction at slow speeds if the available friction is low enough.

There were videos this winter of Lightnings unable to stop and sliding down icy roads with the wheels locked (not steering control in this condition). I’m assuming that the problem was that the extremely slippery condition allowed the regen to stop the wheels and for the ABS system to think the truck was stopped. The the truck would benefit from a zero regen mode to address this type of condition.

SOP for driving with ABS for the past decades is to step on the brake and let the system work. If the wheels lock and you’re sliding, SOP is to take your foot off the brake to allow the wheels to free wheel, returning some steering control (then try again with the brake). In the past 30 years of driving with ABS, I’ve encountered this type of situation (ABS locking the wheels due to extremely slick surface - for example water on ice at an intersection) many times with many vehicle brands, and have always managed to regain control and avoid a crash by following SOP.

Without a zero regen mode, how do we get the wheels to roll without power or braking being applied when trying to stop on an extremely low friction surface? It seems like feathering the throttle in this condition would be one option - but I have a hard time getting zero throttle/brake on dry pavement (much less trying to do it in the few seconds at a slick intersection trying to regain steering control). I haven’t tried it, but shifting to neutral might be the best bet without a zero regen mode.

Last winter (a year ago) we were driving in our development, which has a SMALL hill down to the entranceway. They're supposed to salt the intersections, speedbumps, entranceway, and the hill. As I came down doing maybe 20mph, I realized it was slick and hit the brakes. Locked up, and started slowly sliding. As I approached the main road I leaned on the horn and looked both ways as I slid across the roadway (55mph). Luckily no one was coming.

These are heavy vehicles. Inertia... Slow down before you need to.

 

[Kansan]

Last winter (a year ago) we were driving in our development, which has a SMALL hill down to the entranceway. They're supposed to salt the intersections, speedbumps, entranceway, and the hill. As I came down doing maybe 20mph, I realized it was slick and hit the brakes. Locked up, and started slowly sliding. As I approached the main road I leaned on the horn and looked both ways as I slid across the roadway (55mph). Luckily no one was coming.

These are heavy vehicles. Inertia... Slow down before you need to.

Interesting - did you feel the ABS pulsing? Or were the wheels locked up?

 

[RickLightning]

Interesting - did you feel the ABS pulsing? Or were the wheels locked up?

ABS kicked in just fine.

 

[Firn]

It’s the surprise slick conditions that develop. It’s possible to lose traction at slow speeds if the available friction is low enough.

There were videos this winter of Lightnings unable to stop and sliding down icy roads with the wheels locked (not steering control in this condition). I’m assuming that the problem was that the extremely slippery condition allowed the regen to stop the wheels and for the ABS system to think the truck was stopped. The the truck would benefit from a zero regen mode to address this type of condition.

SOP for driving with ABS for the past decades is to step on the brake and let the system work. If the wheels lock and you’re sliding, SOP is to take your foot off the brake to allow the wheels to free wheel, returning some steering control (then try again with the brake). In the past 30 years of driving with ABS, I’ve encountered this type of situation (ABS locking the wheels due to extremely slick surface - for example water on ice at an intersection) many times with many vehicle brands, and have always managed to regain control and avoid a crash by following SOP.

Without a zero regen mode, how do we get the wheels to roll without power or braking being applied when trying to stop on an extremely low friction surface? It seems like feathering the throttle in this condition would be one option - but I have a hard time getting zero throttle/brake on dry pavement (much less trying to do it in the few seconds at a slick intersection trying to regain steering control). I haven’t tried it, but shifting to neutral might be the best bet without a zero regen mode.

If the truck was not in 1pd drive and auto-hold is not enabled the truck should, i would think, try to start moving just like a regular vehicle would. It's possible they use accelerometer data for movement, but I think it unlikely. Just as the truck creeps forward when releasing the brake at a stop it should do the same if sliding and releasing the brake pedal.

Fwiw, it's not gas vehicles 'coasting' that helps, it's that through the automatic transmission the engine is applying power and driving the wheels.

Point being, with 1pd drive and auto hold off there is not regen at very low speeds, there is actually power being applied to drive the wheels.

 

[TaxmanHog]

bump

 

[Lightning Rod]

So, it looks like FORScan will not enable Slippery Mode?

 

[WXman]

I hope you guys can figure out how to get it. Slippery Mode is a VERY nice feature for snowy and icy roadways. I tested it last week on my '25 even though it's not snowing because I wanted to see how it drives. It's going to be my go-to when the snow starts falling. No regen braking, and more controlled acceleration. That's exactly what you want in slick snow.

I do NOT want regen braking trying to apply friction when easing down a snow covered hill. I want to control all of that 100% with the service brakes. Being able to meticulously control throttle and braking inputs is critical on these rural roads, and all other drive modes on this truck will not cut it. I'm so glad Ford added the Slippery Mode to address this safety concern.

 

[MountainAlive]

Was reading this Ford article and learned about Slippery Mode on the 2025’s. Now I of course hope someone can help us figure out how to add it to the 2022-2024’s but I guess based on this thread that is no easy task at the moment. https://www.fromtheroad.ford.com/us...asubs_npr_ns_ns_tp1_1_nt&fcid=eml_B24T0831_sf

 

[Jesse-Infotainment]

Was reading this Ford article and learned about Slippery Mode on the 2025’s. Now I of course hope someone can help us figure out how to add it to the 2022-2024’s but I guess based on this thread that is no easy task at the moment. https://www.fromtheroad.ford.com/us...asubs_npr_ns_ns_tp1_1_nt&fcid=eml_B24T0831_sf

Someone would have to be brave enough to sideload the 25 abs firmware. I didn’t think we could at first but it looks like it would be possible

Not suggesting anyone do it ..

 

[flyin525]

I’d consider giving it a go, but my PCM is from 2024. Would I need to be on a current PCM?

 

[Jesse-Infotainment]

I’d consider giving it a go, but my current PCM is from 2024. Would I need to be on a current PCM?

Thats the part we wouldnt know until we try it.

THe PCM itself is the same PCM.. strategy is different. Thats all apart of the game though.. seeing what is all involved.

 

[MountainAlive]

Thats the part we wouldnt know until we try it.

THe PCM itself is the same PCM.. strategy is different. Thats all apart of the game though.. seeing what is all involved.

Yeah it’s logical it would involve ABS. The article stated it changes the accelerator response too:
“ When you activate it, your truck dials back accelerator pedal responsiveness and recalibrates traction and stability controls to help prevent wheel spin. Use this mode on icy roads or any time you're driving on firm surfaces covered with loose or slippery materials like snow, slush, or gravel.”

 

[flyin525]

Is the ABS module the same part on 22/23 as 24/25? I thought i saw it wasn’t.

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