Marc Favreau

Drive Modes

The dozens of images on this page are all Drive Mode Indicators symbols. There is seemingly no end to the number of variations used by manufacturers covering an equally endless number of drive modes. The important point to remember is that they appear when a choice is made in a menu or a button is pushed somewhere on the dashboard or center console.

Shown first (above) are variations for the most common – SPORT and ECO. However, these symbols continue to evolve and there are many, many more to discuss. In fact, you might want to check the bottom of the page first for the senselessly long list of additional symbols that have evolved over the years…

• Before moving on, are you sure one of these is your symbol (see more below)??
• If not, you can return to our main Picture Symbols page and scan again!

Many More Modes

Drive modes are chosen by the driver and either enhance power and performance, enhance fuel economy or maintain a balance between them. If you see one of these, just know that the drive mode can be changed with the press of a button or tap of a screen. The last three are Track Mode Indicators and should only be used on a closed track.

Similarly, these are Race Mode Indicators. They are part of a Performance Traction Management (PTM) system that offers Competitive Drive Modes. When activated, the Electronic Stability Control OFF light will also be seen as the system will be turned off. As above, these modes should only be used on a closed track.

VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) or ESC (Electronic Stability Control) can also be manipulated to enhance the driver’s control over the car. In this case, the VSC/ESC is turned off, hence the yellow/amber color, likely for very aggressive driving or drifting. If it appears when the option has not been chosen, it indicates a fault that will require a qualified service shop.

Similarly, the Drift Mode indicator is also seen in yellow/amber for very much the same reason. Stability control must be turned off in order to drift a car around corners. Again, this is used for very aggressive driving and should only be used by experienced drivers on closed courses.

This is an N Launch Control indicator. The symbol is seen when N Launch is chosen. N Launch provides maximum acceleration when the vehicle is at a complete stop, which truthfully sounds like what any vehicle has when the accelerator is floored. However, N Launch is a special case from Hyundai in their Ionic 5 and 6 model EVs. When N Launch is selected, in use the brake and accelerator pedals are fully depressed. The car is “launched” when the brake pedal is released. N Launch is cancelled when the accelerator is released.

Subaru has gone wild with six new images. The first is associated with the Subaru Intelligent (SI) Drive system, a system we already discuss here. The first image is yet another Sport Mode indicator that adds the hash tag to become Sport Sharp Mode, which makes the throttle more responsive. The entire SI Drive option is also now found in non-hybrid vehicles from the manufacturer. It originally was designed to help manage the hybrid’s battery life.

Of the remaining five drive modes, all are new renditions of existing modes found from other manufacturers. In order, they are: Sport, Sport+, Individual, Comfort, and Normal Modes. Subaru itself already a simple Sport Mode, but opted yet again to make a new image. The outlier is the Star, where others, including Subaru have used a simple capital I for Individual, or actually spelled the word out (below).

Electric vehicles have their own set of mode choices, in nearly the number of variations as vehicles powered by internal combustion engines. Again, its all about the driver’s choice!

Toyota’s hydrogen powered Mirai has this Br – or Brake – Mode option, which is found on the shifter. It is intended for driving in conditions that require strong deceleration force, such as down-hill driving, etc. The indicator will be seen when the mode is selected, which draws braking power from the traction battery.

Another mode is Valet. This one leaves only the door locks and ignition active or available for use by a valet to park an owner’s vehicle. Forgetting to disengage this mode will lock out the trunk and glove box, and may be temporarily confusing.

These are all Sport Mode Indicators.  plain ‘S’ is used both as a Sport Mode Indicator and a SynchroRev Match Mode (S-MODE) indicator. The SynchroRev Match mode is found only in a vehicle equipped with a manual transmission.  It automatically adjusts the engine speed to match the selecting gear ratio while changing gears. Similarly, the two Sport Mode Indicators and an Excite Mode Indicator, which is essentially the same thing, that follow will downshift an automatic transmission when engaged and enables performance shift features when spirited driving is detected, maintaining lower transmission gears to increase available engine braking and improve acceleration response.

One manufacturer uses multiple mode options that can be set by the vehicle’s driver. The first uses a distorted letter V to indicate that V-MODE is chosen. The option exists only as part of a V-Series vehicle.  Z MODE offers exactly the same options, but in another model. It indicates that a specific driving mode has been chosen as set by a specific driver. The image of a head and shoulders alone or alongside a steering wheel are MY MODE indicators from the same manufacturer. Again, drive options are chosen by the driver.

Yet another manufacturer uses the symbol on the left to indicate N mode, which is seen as a stylized letter N. It actually controls the vehicle’s SPORT modes, and thus makes little sense. There is no explanation for what the N actually stands for and it is activated by pressing a flag button on the steering wheel. N mode manages the driving dynamics by automatically adjusting the steering effort, and the engine and transmission control logic for enhanced driver performance.

These are Tour or Normal Mode Indicators. It is used for normal city and highway driving to provide a smooth, soft ride in a high-performance vehicle. It provides a balanced setting between comfort and handling and is the standard mode. Be sure not to confuse it with the image to the right, which is essentially the same image but seen in yellow/amber. It is a Lane Keeping Indicator. Click here for more.

These are all Weather Mode Indicators: two forms of Rain and Snow Mode, Wet Mode and Dry Mode. Other than Dry Mode, the modes help to keep the wheels from spinning in slippery conditions.

Below are additional mode variations. There are rings, circles, mountains, flags and batteries featured, along with plain text. Again, these are choices made by the driver, so if you’re seeing this unexpectedly, look for menu options in your vehicle. Note that images with flags are track modes and the remaining images lacking text are generally specialized off road modes.

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Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the  use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.

These posts are for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.

Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow. And when it comes to the current state of flux in the auto industry, nothing is more true.

Marc Favreau

The author has 25 years of automotive experience and has assembled the most extensive collection of symbols and warning lights anywhere (over 1,000!) and can help you open and start any keyless start car with a dead key fob battery. BA, St. Joseph’s College, ME: MS, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NY