I have a 21 reg ford kuga 2.0 AWD 190 what mode would be best to tow my caravan ? sports mode or normal mode
Ford kuga
- Thread starter Dawk57
- Start date
- Nov 11, 2009
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Doesn’t the owners manual say? My last two AWD recommended sports, but the Subaru Forester XT petrol and Superb 2.0 litre diesel did fine in normal. I guess if I had had a heavier caravan then Sports might have felt better. I’d just try out as to what feels best for yours. You might find motirway is okay in normal, wheras other roads might be better in Sports.
- Jul 18, 2017
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Speaking from experience, definitely Sports mode as the car doesn't change gear so often.
- Sep 4, 2011
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I have the exact same model Kuga and now 50,000+ miles on the clock,with well over half this mileage has been towing caravan. Have always towed in Normal setting and gives bags of power and MPG is excellent. Only just came home a few days ago and 34 MPG. Solo 45 to 47 regular. The best tow car I have had being superior to the Landrover Discovery,Kia Sorento and Hyundai Santa Fe Auto’s previously owned,for pulling performance and fuel economy.
Two years ago on a solo trip in a flat area no hills achieved the best MPG ever, of 53 MPG.
Two years ago on a solo trip in a flat area no hills achieved the best MPG ever, of 53 MPG.
Last edited:
- Nov 16, 2015
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Not the same car as yours, I have always found Normal mode to be satisfactory, but have at time gone into sport mode to hold the revs higher on longer hills,.
- Nov 11, 2009
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Like Birdman and Hutch I found normal mode fine, it’s a bit slower to pick up revs, but if needed the cars are auto and they will change down as required or you can change into sport if required. The Subaru had paddle shifters so could be flipped down a gear without moving hands from the wheel. Much depends on outfit weight, road conditions and the torque -power curve of the engine.
Many modern automatics alter the gearchange mapping when towing so no need to use Sport mode on those - particularly with modern turbo engines which have high torque at low rpm - and no advantage in doing so.
- Mar 14, 2005
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It depends on what you mean by best? For economy use eco or normal settings. If it's for fastest acceleration then sport, but it will negatively affect economy. But do you actually need faster acceleration?
As others have said do check with your cars handbook or check with the manufacturer about their specific car.
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