General Auto Mode / Sports Mode

[s130]

Just out of curiosity it would be interesting to hear peoples views on their car's driveability etc. between the two modes and also which mode you normally drive?

My current views are:

Auto Mode is smooth and flat in performance at small throttle openings. Will pick up but this requires some serious throttle pressing. The 500X auto throttle rpm increase on clutch release it a neat idea but one does have to relearn the traditional clutch & throttle control so as to not over rev the engine at take off. When generally motoring when load is applied to the car be it long gradients and/or heavy head winds then the car does begin to run out of steam quicker than a more traditional single mode setup. Add a caravan/trailer load on the back and this "droop" becomes very apparent.

Sports Mode is all get up and go. For my liking it is just too sensitive to any throttle pedal pressure especially when taking off. The auto rpm increase on clutch lift and over sensitive throttle at take off takes a lot of mastering to not use excessive revs. When up and running there is no lethargy and one really appreciates the "get up and go". In my case when towing I don't get sudden "droop".

I think I know what Fiat have done in the accelerator to power mapping and think they have slightly over done both curves.

You need to visualise this next bit.

Imagine a graph with the Y-axis representing power and the X-axis throttle angle.

In a traditional setup the graph (normalised) would be a 45 degree straight line from 0BHP,0% to 140BHP,100%. i.e. fairly linear relationship.

In Auto Mode were have 0,0; 5BHP,10%; 30BHP/50%; 140BHP,100%
In Spot Mode were have 0,0; 30BHP,10%; 100BHP/50%; 140BHP,100%

Auto Mode = slow / less than 1:1 relationship
Sport Mode = fast / greater than 1:1 relationship

(wish I could draw a picture )

Hopefully you can visualise these two opposing parabolic performance curves which explain the totally different responses.

Are you a SPORT Mode or AUTO Mode driver?

 

[cemmy074]

what about all weather mode ??

 

[s130]

what about all weather mode ??

On the 500X Cross there is not an all weather mode.

500X Cross has: Sport / Auto / Traction modes

500X has: (I believe) Sport / Auto / All Weather

To add possible more confusion I have no idea if the Sport and Auto mappings are the same for the 500X and 500X Cross Plus ?????

For clarification this/my post details are from the point of view and experience of a 500X Cross Plus MultiAir 1.4L 140BHP owner driver and no doubt City, Diesel and full 4x4 models will have other/differing characteristics.

 

[cemmy074]

Sorry didn't know you have cross plus.i didn't search but possibly auto and sport mode works same with all 500x petrols same engine.i bet all weather and traction works same. i ll visit the dealer again because of some noise and i ll ask what is the difference probably they won't know but ll try

 

[jimmyshoe]

Hi just found this on the internet from a review of the 500 x,which explains the difference between the mode selector in AWD cars and front wheel drive using the traction /all weather setting

,,even the driving experience can be personalised and adapted, depending on how the new FIAT 500X is being driven and the prevailing driving conditions. The “Drive Mood Selector” has three different modes for engine, brakes, steering and gearbox/transmission settings: “Auto” offers the best compromise in terms of comfort, consumption and CO2 emissions while “Sport” reconfigures the FIAT 500X for better performance and more spirited handling. “All Weather” adjusts the vehicle settings for maximum safety even in low grip conditions.

On the more rugged version of the FIAT 500X, “All Weather” mode is replaced by the “Traction” function, which speeds up the transmission of torque to the rear axle on four-wheel drive versions or activates the “Traction Plus” control system on front wheel drive versions, the latter offering an ideal solution to drivers who only encounter extreme low-traction situations occasionally, thereby avoiding the additional costs and slight emissions increase associated with a conventional four-wheel drive system. The FIAT 500X also offers ecoriveTM, which can help reduce emissions and fuel costs by up to 16 percent, in addition to the my:CarTM service (UK availability TBC) which helps with maintenance and dealing with emergencies using an interactive user manual.