Question about 2025 2.3 XLT Sport 4x4 vs Lariat FX4

[Worxman]

***Update***
Just got a call from my dealer and they think the EGR valve is the issue, supposed to install it tomorrow. Will post an update on whether or not it fixes it once I get word from the dealer.

Original Post:
I purchased a 2025 Lariat a few weeks ago. I'm having Ford install the leveling kit today and they gave me a loaner XLT sport 4x4 with the same 2.3 engine. Mine has 1700 miles, the loaner has 500 miles. I've always felt like my Lariat bogs down in regular mode, but this sport is much crisper shifting and doesn't bog down at lower rpm like my Lariat does. It almost feels like the Sport is always in "Sport" mode...is that the case? There is no rpm gauge I can find in the Sport, nor drive modes via the 4x4 shifter ring like in my Lariat. The difference is very noticeable in the two trucks and I want my Lariat to drive like the Sport.

Sponsored

 

[daytoncarter]

"Sport" is just an appearance package, magnetic gray accents instead of painted/black/chrome.

Could be transmission adaptions, those loaners are often driven like they're stolen so the truck is accustomed to that throttle map.

You might drive your Lariat more economically and so it does run a more eco map on the transmission. See if Ford will reset your transmission adaptions then drive like a bat outta hell.


Oh and report back on if the suggestion works!

 

[Worxman]

Could be transmission adaptions, those loaners are often driven like they're stolen so the truck is accustomed to that throttle map.

You might drive your Lariat more economically and so it does run a more eco map on the transmission. See if Ford will reset your transmission adaptions then drive like a bat outta hell.


Oh and report back on if the suggestion works!

Possibly, I have taken it fairly easy on my truck thus far, mostly cruising hwy miles for my business...1700 miles in 3 weeks. Thanks for the suggestion, might get to 3k miles, get th oil changed, then have them reset the transmission.

 

[Ron Quixote]

Maybe use Sport mode more often?

 

[Meatbag]

These things bog at low RPMs anyway in high gear; at least the 2.3 does. There's a part of my commute where I go through some 45-50 mph speed zones and sometimes I'll be driving 53-55 and it'll shift into 10th gear then when I need gas or something it ain't having it. I think RPM at that point is under 1500. These engines want revs. I purposely hit the - on my shift and tell it to only go to 9th until I get back to highway speeds then + it again to hit 10th anything over 55.

I do like the throttle mapping in sport but my word, you have to hit like 70mph before it wants to shift into 10th. at 60mph it just hangs in 8th the whole time. wish it would upshift sooner than that.

 

[Worxman]

These things bog at low RPMs anyway in high gear; at least the 2.3 does. There's a part of my commute where I go through some 45-50 mph speed zones and sometimes I'll be driving 53-55 and it'll shift into 10th gear then when I need gas or something it ain't having it. I think RPM at that point is under 1500. These engines want revs. I purposely hit the - on my shift and tell it to only go to 9th until I get back to highway speeds then + it again to hit 10th anything over 55.

Makes sense, will try that.

 

[superj]

don't forget that the sport probably has the little button by the start/stop that choses the drive mode, unlike the lariat. push the button by the start/stop button and it may go through eco/sport/slippery, etc. thats how my stx 2wd and my son's stx 4x4 are

 

[ShadowDragon24]

I purchased a 2025 Lariat a few weeks ago. I'm having Ford install the leveling kit today and they gave me a loaner XLT sport 4x4 with the same 2.3 engine. Mine has 1700 miles, the loaner has 500 miles. I've always felt like my Lariat bogs down in regular mode, but this sport is much crisper shifting and doesn't bog down at lower rpm like my Lariat does. It almost feels like the Sport is always in "Sport" mode...is that the case? There is no rpm gauge I can find in the Sport, nor drive modes via the 4x4 shifter ring like in my Lariat. The difference is very noticeable in the two trucks and I want my Lariat to drive like the Sport.

there is an rpm guage, you have to go into the instrument cluster settings and turn it on. and mine is a 25 xlt sport 2.3 with the fx4 package. the non fx4's(or terrian management add on(if available sepperate)) dont have the dial.

don't forget that the sport probably has the little button by the start/stop that choses the drive mode, unlike the lariat. push the button by the start/stop button and it may go through eco/sport/slippery, etc. thats how my stx 2wd and my son's stx 4x4 are

my xlt sport with the fx4 package has the dial. no button for me, but thats because the fx4 package adds the terrian management settings for mud,sand, etc.

 

[superj]

thats how my father-in-laws truck is. he has a 25 fx4 with the dial button for the 4x4.

i think the original poster has the regular sport 4x4, not fx4, since the loaner doesn't go through the modes using the ring on the dial. that is what made me think its like my son's stx 4x4, which uses the button by the start/stop, like my 2wd does.

 

[ryanO]

I purchased a 2025 Lariat a few weeks ago. I'm having Ford install the leveling kit today and they gave me a loaner XLT sport 4x4 with the same 2.3 engine. Mine has 1700 miles, the loaner has 500 miles. I've always felt like my Lariat bogs down in regular mode, but this sport is much crisper shifting and doesn't bog down at lower rpm like my Lariat does. It almost feels like the Sport is always in "Sport" mode...is that the case? There is no rpm gauge I can find in the Sport, nor drive modes via the 4x4 shifter ring like in my Lariat. The difference is very noticeable in the two trucks and I want my Lariat to drive like the Sport.

Today's transmissions "learn" how you drive and adapt. I would highly recommend that you
1. Don't just get on a highway and "cruise".
2. Vary the speed and acceleration quite a bit starting NOW and continuing for a 1000 miles or so (really recommend doing that from day 1)
3. Put it in Sport mode every time you drive for the next 1000 miles and drive it "sporty" even on the highway. Every so often really get into it off the line and even on the highway

The transmission will start to "re-learn" and allow it to be less "grandpa" like.

Sponsored