Special Drive Mode Dashboard Indicators

Drive Modes

Presented here are a number of special low-speed Drive Mode Dashboard Indicators available on some 4-wheel and all-wheel drive vehicles. In truth, they appear to be near useless without context, and all would be better presented simply as text symbols, but are not. Note that all of these indicators are the result of having chosen a drive mode, intentionally or otherwise, and when seen in the information display, they are shown in black and white or gray scale.

• Before continuing, are you sure one of these is your symbol?? If so, continue on.
• If not, you can return to our main Picture Symbols page and scan again!

The first three shown above are Mud, Ruts Mode, Slippery Mode and Deep Snow Mode Indicators, left to right, made available by one manufacturer.  The Mud, Ruts Mode Indicator is shown as a nonsensical combination of a tree, a wavy line, and four straight lines in yellow/amber/orange. The Slippery Mode Indicator is seen as a bewildering array of wavy lines, what may be rain drops, and a star or snowflake also in yellow/amber/orange. Similarly, the Deep Snow Mode indicator combines wavy lines and snow flakes.

So, if you are surprised to see one of these, its likely that the mode has been set accidentally. Again, they would frankly be better represented as text symbols simply stating the mode.

More Drive Modes

Lexus

This next group comes from another manufacturer, Lexus, and would seem to make choosing the right one next to impossible. Left to right they are Mud and Sand Mode, Mogul Mode, Rock Mode, Loose and Rock Mode, and finally Rock and Dirt Mode Indicators.

And it didn’t end there. Only a few years later, left to right, they introduced a change to the Dirt Mode Indicator image, added a separate Mud Mode Indicator, a Deep Snow Indicator, and a Trail Mode Indicator in black and white. Again, why so many modes are needed is difficult to understand, and the differences in drive train responses are likely very, very subtle.

In any case, they are represented as a drawings of a vehicle, tipped or vertical, riding a curved lines or hills and mounds and dots meant to be dirt all in green. The first, two paragraphs up, adds a cactus, likely to represent sand, but one could be on a beach! The last one, shown to the left also comes from Lexus, who turns the process over to the vehicle in Auto Mode! With all the choices, this is the smart one, for the driver and the car, which senses the terrain.

Yet More Drive Modes

As we noted with the first group, these could all be better represented by text symbols stating the mode, which some manufacturers actually do. Sand, Snow, or Mud are simply spelled out for the driver with a vehicle shown above the text.

In all cases, if you are surprised to see one of these, it’s likely the mode has been selected accidentally. It can then be turned off. There are more examples from Toyota below.

Ford

Click here for Ford drive mode indicators.

Toyota

Here we have Toyota and its GR Corolla. Yes, an all-wheel drive Corolla from the company’s Gazoo Racing segment. The text names require new entries, and we won’t be surprised to find sand and snow modes added as time goes on, In the interim, we have Normal, Track (it does have a 300hp turbo engine) and Gravel modes. Stay home if it snows!

Toyota Highlander models continue the use of text with the symbols to the left. Mud & Sand Mode or Rock & Dirt Mode or the more generic Trail Mode are simply spelled out for the driver.

And Even More Drive Modes

These are Snow/Dirt and Snow/Mud Mode Indicators, respectively. These modes provide automatic control of wheel slippage in snow or dirt or deeper snow and mud. The vehicles Traction Control is turned off to accommodate the automated system.

When one the previous modes is chosen, this manufacturer allows for Grip Control, which is its indicator to the left. Grip Control allows for five speed choices, 2 through 6 miles per hour. The system is automatically turned off when the vehicle is braked to a stop.

Subaru

Here we have three more indicators from Subaru and their X-MODE system. It is the integrated control system of the engine, AWD and Vehicle Dynamics Control system, etc. for driving with bad road conditions. X-MODE helps maintain control in slippery conditions, including uphill and downhill.

The first indicator is found in vehicles that have a single option. The second can be found in vehicle with two options and is for deep snow and mud. The third is the second option and is for snow and dirt.

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