What Drive Modes for Rainy Wet Pavement?

[gmpetrie]

My old F150 had an "A" (All wheel drive) mode that was great for driving on wet pavement to prevent the back end from breaking loose in the rain (4H was more off road). My 2025 Ranger Lariat 2.7L FX4 has only 2WD, 4H, 4L, and "Slippery Mode". I really don't like the "Slippery Mode", because the throttle response gets very slow in that mode.

In general, the truck handles very well (for a truck) in the rain in 2WD, but I sometimes like putting it in 4Hi if there is a lot of water on the roadway . . . So my questions are:

1) Is it OK to drive in 4Hi on wet pavement? (of course the locker is off)
2) What drive settings do you use on wet pavement?

and finally,

3) Any additional tips, tricks, and even silly jokes for driving in the rain in your Ranger?

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[hand-filer]

I would say no to using 4WD in wet conditions as there is still enough traction to cause the driveline to bind. Gravel, mud, snow and any low traction conditions only.

 

[stuartmunto]

I wouldn't be using 4H on the pavement, even in the wet. You need a lot more slip than what wet pavement will offer to avoid any potential damage to the driveline

Seems like if you don't like slippery mode, then normal mode and just being careful is the only way to deal with wet and slippery conditions

 

[Ron Quixote]

Eco softens the throttle response just a bit and is nice for wet roads.

 

[RANGER PRIDE]

I generally stay in 2wd even in snow until i have an oh shit moment and flip it into 4H.
I know there are other modes that can adjust throttle response, and i assume traction control settings for the slippery things, but other than trying them out, i haven't really "tried" them out to give an opinion.
Ford Engineers cant be wrong though, I'm sure they set it up to be quite functional.

 

[waffleso_0]

Eco softens the throttle response just a bit and is nice for wet roads.

This is the way. Eco for wet or slippery mode or long drives with little stop and go, or if you want it to drive like a car per say. Normal/sport for hills and the extra juice in throttle.

 

[Astrofisher]

Never run 4WD on wet pavement; slow down. I live in Western Washington and have been driving a truck for my entire life, navigating the rain. I take more precautions in the summer when it rains after a long dry spell, as wet roads are more slippery then.

 

[gmpetrie]

All excellent advice! Thanks All!

The Ranger actually handles much better in the rain in 2WD than my F150 did, and unless I am being intentionally agressive with the throttle around turns the truck sticks to the road really well. The only time I have had it in 4WD on pavement is in an absolute downpour when there was over an inch of water on the pavement.

Thanks again!

 

[purdyd]

Never run 4WD on wet pavement; slow down. I live in Western Washington and have been driving a truck for my entire life, navigating the rain. I take more precautions in the summer when it rains after a long dry spell, as wet roads are more slippery then.

grew up driving old trucks in the rain. I just drive in the same modes and keep more distance and lower my speed.

in Southern California a rain event is like snow in other parts of the country

and that first rain can be especially slick

i have actually been very pleased with the Ranger in the rain. It seems to have a fairly decent front rear weight distribution, for a pickup

I know the stock tires are maligned a lot but they are ok in the wet stuff and the narrow width is good in rain.

 

[Satex]

I have the same setup. FX4 Lariat with 2.7. Unless my memory is wrong, "Slippery" mode shifts to 4H in addition to whatever changes are made to shift points and throttle response.

I think I've selected it twice, but I've quickly gone to Eco mode because I don't like the idea of 4x4 on pavement (unless it's AWD.) I'd use 4x4 on pavement only on icy roads, which is a once per decade event in South Texas.

 

[NHGregL]

My old F150 had an "A" (All wheel drive) mode that was great for driving on wet pavement to prevent the back end from breaking loose in the rain (4H was more off road). My 2025 Ranger Lariat 2.7L FX4 has only 2WD, 4H, 4L, and "Slippery Mode". I really don't like the "Slippery Mode", because the throttle response gets very slow in that mode.

In general, the truck handles very well (for a truck) in the rain in 2WD, but I sometimes like putting it in 4Hi if there is a lot of water on the roadway . . . So my questions are:

1) Is it OK to drive in 4Hi on wet pavement? (of course the locker is off)
2) What drive settings do you use on wet pavement?

and finally,

3) Any additional tips, tricks, and even silly jokes for driving in the rain in your Ranger?

I was wondering the same because my old truck had a auto drive setting so it handled pretty well in everything including snow. I did just go out and get a couple hundred pounds of sandbags in a bucket strapped it down over the rear axle for the winter and we got some pretty good snow here and ice The other day in New Hampshire and between that and using slippery mode seemed to be just fine. i haven’t had any issues driving in heavy rain in just plain ole 2wd no extra weight or anything.

 

[imvio]

What about changing the drive mode in Slippery?

 

[JDCV67]

Slow down mode is what I use.​

 

[Buellsox]

Here in WA Stste when in really gets to pouring out I truly like slippery mode or the rain drop / snow flake icon. But it sounds different on the Raptor vs Lariat, XLT as the RR slippery mode goes into 4auto and not 4high. That’s a BIG difference! Same throttle response decrease & softer shifts but it keeps the truck in an AWD ready mode vs. 4WD mode. Much better & safer for wet pavement. I used to run my previous F-150 Platinum In this same mode in heavy rain and had zero issues but great traction for the life of ownership with that truck.

What about just 4auto in the heavy rain in normal mode? And be mindful of your throttle input. Seems like a good all around do it all for the slick and wet without full time 4WD….just my thoughts.

And pay attention to what the trucks telling you. At the first feel of bind or the turning wheels fighting you - take it out and return to 2H before you screw anything up. Don’t just ‘keep going’. And take it easy.

 

[Ron Quixote]

Non-Raptor Rangers don't have 4Auto.

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