Steering Mode
The redesigned 2024 Ford Bronco and Bronco Raptor edition brings with it what Ford calls G.O.A.T. modes, or Goes Over Any-type of Terrain. The system offers alterations to steering, traction control, stability control, chassis controls, powertrain response, transmission shift points, four-wheel driveline, exhaust noise level and suspension dampening. What is shown here are Steering Mode Indicator symbols.
- Before continuing, is one of these truly your symbol?? If yes, read on below.
- Otherwise, you can return to our main Pictographic Symbols page and scan again!
Once a G.O.A.T. mode is selected, one of the steering options may be available. These are, from left to right (above), Normal, Sport, Comfort, and Off-road.
If you are seeing one of these unexpectedly, check the status of the vehicle’s G.O.A.T. mode. An accidental choice has likely been made.
Normal mode is used for daily driving. Sport mode reduces steering assist for enhanced steering feel during “spirited” driving. Comfort mode adds assist for daily driving ease. And Off-road mode adds damping for improved control during off-road driving.
There are believe it or not, seven G.O.A.T. modes available. In Normal, Slippery, Sport and Tow/haul modes, three steering modes will be available: Normal, Sport and Comfort. In Baja, Off-road and Rock crawl modes, Normal, Sport, Comfort and Off-road steering modes will be available to choose.
When the vehicle is turned off, the steering system defaults to normal.
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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Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow.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 could be more true.
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
The dozens of images on this page are all Drive Mode Indicators 
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…
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.
Similarly, the Drift Mode indicator is also seen in 
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).
This S-Mode evidently has nothing to do with Sport and is brought to you by Suzuki. When in use and driving on hilly, winding roads and allows for smoother driving with less frequent gear changing. Also, when going down a steep hill some additional engine braking is added. The company gives no indication what the S stands for.
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. 
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.
Another Acronym page update
We added a new set of indicators for a new system called G.O.A.T. or Goes Over Any-type of Terrain. This resulted in a new entry to our acronym page as well.
The system itself resulted in no less than 14 new indicators!!
None of those indicators feature the acronym itself, rather 14 “nearly” distinct images for 16 possible modes. We show a few of them here.
We say “nearly” because there are similarities in other images already in use. And Ford, which is responsible for the G.O.A.T. system uses elements in other images in related systems.
For the record, we’re sure that Ford is looking for mileage from the use of GOAT, generally reserved for Greatest of All Time. They may even be looking to get a Tom Brady endorsement! But until that comes about, G.O.A.T. will remain just another automotive acronym.
So when we set up DashboardSymbols.com, one of the very first things we did was add a page of acronyms and the translations as a useful resource for drivers. Further, if the acronym is hosted as a separate entry, we provide a link to it.
Cars are changing, and among those changes is the growing number of symbols and indicators — some featuring only an acronym — that will invariably show up on your dashboard or instrument panel. Every year, new features are added to vehicles, each of which is accompanied by a new symbol or symbols and likely a new acronym.
At DashboardSymbols.com, our aim is to help you understand what is happening to your vehicle at the first sign of trouble – a new warning light illuminated on your instrument panel. Its all here on this website. Our first intention is to bring the latest technologies down to earth and understandable for everyday drivers.
The acronym page currently hosts over 230 automotive acronyms, including G.O.A.T. The page is here.
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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.
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