Whisper/Engaged/Unbridled - Which Mode Is Best For You and Why?

[Timelessblur]

For me personally I like the throttle mapping and the stiffer steering feel of unbridle. I can not stand how the wheel feels in whisper so I dont use it.
I use 1 pedal driving so the regen is the same no matter what mode I am in.

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[Kamuelaflyer]

The best drive mode is the mode you like the best.

 

[Frankis843]

Unbridle 100% daily. I like the throttle mapping and quick response. I will use Whisper mode when using BC in heavy stop and go traffic (less aggressive braking and acceleration).

Propulsion sound does nothing but noise, and only inside the cabin. I turned it off almost 3 years ago and never looked back.

same here in addition to 1 pedal drive 100% too

 

[HuntingPudel]

I have written to Ford to get a more thorough answer on what each mode does.

I would really like to know what signals are sent to the brakes, accelerator, and what is changed physically to the car if any.

I never received a technical answer, so I guess we must live with what the manual states.

Basically, mode change does not send any different signal to the brakes. It changes powertrain settings (increased regenerative braking by the motors when moving from Whisper to Engage to Unbridle and more pedal position sensitivity at low pedal angles as you progress from whisper to Unbridle). It changes steering power assist (less as you progress from Whisper to Unbridle). It changes damper mapping on Magneride-equipped cars from one mode to another. ??

 

[david_quick]

Newbie 2024 MME Premium owner. I am mostly using Engaged. Tried Unbridled for a bit today. Real world what are most of you using? Does Propulsion Sound do much of anything? I am not sure I hear anything significant inside or outside.

Engage+1PD for me, Whisper for the wife no 1PD.

 

[B25Nut]

Always Whisper, 2PD and no sound. I focus on coasting as much as I can with every vehicle I drive. It saves the brakes on ICE cars and is just as efficentl (if not more) than other modes in EVs. With Whisper, I don't have to change my habits when I drive our RDX or my ME. I'm also able to give my foot and leg a rest since I'm never n 1PD.
I feel that more EVs would be sold if the average consumer's first experience with driving an EV was in a vehicle with the equivalent to Whisper and 2PD.

 

[DoogleMac]

Just to add another voice to the conversation...I always use OPD and love it (but have to remember to turn it and brake hold off when going through a car wash). I do not use propulsion sound. I primarily use Engage as my daily driver because it is easier on my wife who rides with me frequently. But when I'm feeling frisky, Unbridle it is! I take regular longer trips and when I'm on the Interstate I may switch to Whisper; it seems to give me slightly better range (but that is a totally fact free assessment). But like many others have said, these are all personal preferences...try them all out and find what you prefer.

Why do you turn 1PD and brake hold when you go through a car wash? I never have. Do you stay in the car?

 

[DennisD]

I am quite amused at all of the different answers of what makes their driving experience the "best".

The real beauty of an EV is that you have choices. ICE.......not so much. If you have an ICE with 1000 plus HP, you really have only one type of drive mode if you will.

The Propulsion Sound effect depends on the mood I am in. Just like with Music on the Radio, on a Sunday morning I enjoy listening to soft Rock. On a ride home from work, I enjoy the more "spirited" Rock. Once again, choices. That is what makes IMHO, the EV a Fun car to drive.

 

[DYohn]

I wish all electric cars would stick the fake engine noise video game sound where the sun don't shine. Mine's been off since day one. I use Engage mode exclusively and I like to use the "L" regen in town and turn it off on the highway. 1-PD is not for me, But, as in all things, it's subjective. Do what seems right to you. There is no "best."

 

[DanBGolf]

Why do you turn 1PD and brake hold when you go through a car wash? I never have. Do you stay in the car?

Yes, I stay in the car. I guess I don't really need to turn off OPD but the first time I went through and didn't turn off brake hold, I couldn't get the car situated on the conveyor. Even though the car was in neutral, brake hold was still engaged and the car "fought" the conveyor...so now I just turn it off when going through the car wash.

 

[DennisD]

I wish all electric cars would stick the fake engine noise video game sound where the sun don't shine. Mine's been off since day one. I use Engage mode exclusively and I like to use the "L" regen in town and turn it off on the highway. 1-PD is not for me, But, as in all things, it's subjective. Do what seems right to you. There is no "best."

So you are suggesting only using it at night time?

I guess I was unaware that a sound that one could toggle on or off would be such a "trigger" but don't hold back, what are your thoughts on dim or bright lights on the dash?

 

[nuMach]

I don't really see much difference. Was in whisper for a month after buying ,until I spent time going through all the menus. I decided on engaged for almost a year, and just recently set to unbridled. I just drive it, sometimes like a full throttle move off the stop sign, but overall I cant say I see any difference. Could be my driving style is too laid back. No diff in regen braking feel, no diff in steering effort. I'm sure there is a difference, but its too subtle for me

 

[DYohn]

So you are suggesting only using it at night time?

I guess I was unaware that a sound that one could toggle on or off would be such a "trigger" but don't hold back, what are your thoughts on dim or bright lights on the dash?

I'm not "triggered," I just think the "propulsion sound" is a silly gimmick designed to make EVs more attractive to young game-playing men. The same ones who think loud pipes on ICE vehicles are cool. I grew out of that phase more than 40 years ago. I am happy it can be switched off in the MME, and if I was the designer would have fought the marketing geeks very hard to not offer it at all.

 

[DennisD]

I'm not "triggered," I just think the "propulsion sound" is a silly gimmick designed to make EVs more attractive to young game-playing men. The same ones who think loud pipes on ICE vehicles are cool. I grew out of that phase more than 40 years ago. I am happy it can be switched off in the MME, and if I was the designer would have fought the marketing geeks very hard to not offer it at all.

From the responses shown on this thread, it is clear to me why they did indeed offer it. Once again it is a toggle switch that can easily be switched off for those that don't like it and switched on for those that do.

Btw, a simulated sound is not new. Exhaust systems can be engineered to make many different sounds coming from the same ICE.

If one truly wanted an uninhibited "real" sound from an ICE, you would simply take the pipes off the car and go with what it was meant to have (just like not having a sound from an EV) and have a very loud and obnoxious noise IMO. In fact, they make toggle switches to go from muffled sound to loud sound by way of a valve to redirect the exhaust flow.

Even though I choose the quiet mode more times than not, I do occasionally like a sound that simulates the feelings that I had in my younger years (just like turning the radio up once in a while) and not have a care in the World.

I do respect your opinion though.

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

I'm not "triggered," I just think the "propulsion sound" is a silly gimmick designed to make EVs more attractive to young game-playing men. The same ones who think loud pipes on ICE vehicles are cool. I grew out of that phase more than 40 years ago. I am happy it can be switched off in the MME, and if I was the designer would have fought the marketing geeks very hard to not offer it at all.

That struck me as a “get off my grass” quip snd mildly amused me although I quite understand your point. There are a couple of things about the artificial sound.

First, the sound changes with acceleration. This helps drivers judge speed better until they become used to the torque conversion in ev’s.

Second, the sound also can help mask road noise.

There’s an additional thing about the fake sound — it’s not unique to EVs. Our 2020 Raptor has it and it’s most definitely an ICE vehicle. Neither the Raptor nor Ford are hardly unique either. The difference is that in the Mach-e you can turn the sound off if you like. You can’t in the Raptor. The reason this is occurring is that ICE engines have become increasingly quiet and there’s a need to mask road noise and help people judge acceleration.

I’m all in favor of the ability to turn the noise off if we desire to so.

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