Driving Mode Differences?

[SparkFast]

I can't really tell the difference between Baja, Street, Sport, etc for the Suspension and Stability settings. I live in a mountain range and need to go up and down some pretty bumpy switchbacks all the time. My wife is complaining about getting sea-sick as a passenger because the suspension is "like a boat in waves" according to her. I switch to these other driving modes, even trying different custom ones, but TBH I can't tell the difference. Can someone please explain these? I'm not talking about the transmission - that's easy to tell the difference between the different modes - I'm talking about Suspension and Stability. What's the best settings to minimize the bouncy-bouncy after bumps, or the "wavy-ness" around steep mountain-turns and un-even ground? I never had this problem in our less fancy SUVs or Sedans which are much lower-riding and sporty. Should I just resort to those crazy-straw motion sickness glasses for the passengers?

 

[Eighty]

Set your suspension to Sport. That’s the stiffest one, and most people agree that it’s the best for every day driving.

 

[Eighty]

And here’s a post describing all the settings.

Post in thread 'Weird feeling suspension'
https://www.ram-rho.com/threads/weird-feeling-suspension.2194/post-45092

 

[JonnyBEST]

I drive in Sport mode 95% of the time. However, to mess around I have tried Baja mode and taken some street bumps at a higher than necessary pace and my truck absorbs the bumps nicely. There is a noticeable (boat-like) pitch after bumps at higher speeds.

 

[RDRHINO]

Baja mode is noticeably different from the others in that it holds gear changes until higher in the RPM range and the suspension is really soft and squishy. I can't really tell much difference between street and sport with regards to suspension feel. Even with TOW mode I don't really notice a difference in suspension feel....I just know hooking up my boat makes the ass end sag quite a bit...got that Carolina squat happening! I've set my AUTO mode back and forth between STREET and SPORT suspension several times, though, and really don't notice a difference.

 

[Wrinkled_Donut]

Baja mode is noticeably different from the others in that it holds gear changes until higher in the RPM range and the suspension is really soft and squishy. I can't really tell much difference between street and sport with regards to suspension feel. Even with TOW mode I don't really notice a difference in suspension feel....I just know hooking up my boat makes the ass end sag quite a bit...got that Carolina squat happening! I've set my AUTO mode back and forth between STREET and SPORT suspension several times, though, and really don't notice a difference.

I drive in sport mode essentially 100% of the time but I just tried Baja mode for the first time a few weeks ago. I love it. You're right that it holds gears much longer than even sport mode.

I now use it when I'm driving around town (<30 mph). it's loud and obnoxious and makes all kinds of burbles and pops with the aFe Vulcan! Great way to wake up the entire town and to make sure peoples car alarms are working

 

[eltaco]

I drive in sport mode essentially 100% of the time but I just tried Baja mode for the first time a few weeks ago. I love it. You're right that it holds gears much longer than even sport mode.

I now use it when I'm driving around town (<30 mph). it's loud and obnoxious and makes all kinds of burbles and pops with the aFe Vulcan! Great way to wake up the entire town and to make sure peoples car alarms are working

I’m genuinely curious how these modes affect power train longevity. I am in auto mode most of the time but go over to sport transmission when I want to have some extra fun… but it gets a bit annoying driving around at 3k rpm at typical in town speeds.

Baja is absolutely insane how high the rpm holds during normal driving. I can’t imagine what that does to engine temps and longevity long term. Sure makes all kinds of fun noises tho!

 

[Wrinkled_Donut]

I’m genuinely curious how these modes affect power train longevity. I am in auto mode most of the time but go over to sport transmission when I want to have some extra fun… but it gets a bit annoying driving around at 3k rpm at typical in town speeds.

Baja is absolutely insane how high the rpm holds during normal driving. I can’t imagine what that does to engine temps and longevity long term. Sure makes all kinds of fun noises tho!

I've been curious as to this exact thing myself, especially baja mode. It's almost comical how high it holds RPMS, so I try to only use it in short stints when I'm trying to rip around and make a little noise (you know, to impress the ladies).

I'd like to spend more time in auto mode, but I have my throttle controller set so sensitive that it almost constantly downshifts and gear hunts in auto mode. Sport mode is much more manageable for my current setup, although it kills MPG and is a bit overkill sometimes. I have a very heavy foot. I don't speed per se, I just like to get up to the speed limit extremely fast

 

[frogjbm]

Baja mode is much more aggressive than others. Like...holy shit different. At least it is for me. The damn thing rips like a bat out of hell. I consistently run in sport mode though, just feels right for normal driving.

 

[RAM-Ranch-MT]

I love baja! Wakes her up! But I agree definitely holds high rpm. Great for when you need it. I found if its a little to revved out in baja, I turn on paddles and its the perfect amount of control!

As far as hurting the engine, I woild hope not and doubt it. Shouldn't phase it. Need whistlin diesel to hold one on the rev limiter awhile. Lol

 

[HermDawg]

New Here to the Forum. Have been trying to figure out the drive mode settings, to dial in for my daily driving. I live 20 miles outside of town, so long bumpy roads @ 30 to 75. For the longest time, I just got in in a go on the base setting. But trying to get that little smoother ride, and transmission shift. I like the sport, but have seen some people say that using the sport setting at high speeds could screw up some stuff? Reading here should mess with anything? I understand gas milage may be different with the settings but sure didn't buy for the milage. Anyone have a go to setting they use for daily and have been happy with? Thanks

 

[CORHinO]

I don’t believe using any of the modes will damage the powertrain. RAM built it that way and these trucks are highly capable machines that few of us will use to their full potential. The things can phucking jump! I have yet to jump mine, can’t find a place to do it. That said, Baja is lit. Blast down a rough dirt road at 100 mph is no problem and you can modulate the power effectively with the paddles.

Because Baja directs 60% of the power to the rear wheels, it’s insane with a CAT6! In the dirt with Baja, you can fling the rear out in a corner and power slide sideways without even trying. A little scary at first, so be cautious.

I use Custom mode for daily driving:
-Sport suspension
-Sport transmission
-Street stability
-Rock steering
-Paddles on

Love it!

 

[HermDawg]

I don’t believe using any of the modes will damage the powertrain. RAM built it that way and these trucks are highly capable machines that few of us will use to their full potential. The things can phucking jump! I have yet to jump mine, can’t find a place to do it. That said, Baja is lit. Blast down a rough dirt road at 100 mph is no problem and you can modulate the power effectively with the paddles.

Because Baja directs 60% of the power to the rear wheels, it’s insane with a CAT6! In the dirt with Baja, you can fling the rear and out in a corner and slide sideways under power without even trying. A little scary at first, so be cautious.

I use Custom mode for daily driving:
-Sport suspension
-Sport transmission
-Street stability
-Rock steering
-Paddles on

Love it!

Thanks, I appreciate the info. Will have to try that out.

 

[rochell59]

Is there any way to have the truck wake up on custom mode and not default to auto?

 

[CORHinO]

Not to my knowledge. However, you can customize the AUTO mode to an extent. Not every setting option is available.

 

[Eighty]

Is there any way to have the truck wake up on custom mode and not default to auto?

Tazer DT is capable of doing that on the pre-2025 models. If/when Zautomotive releases their new Tazer for the 2025+ models, I would hope and expect that it would do the same.