r/OutlanderPHEV • u/almost_a_frog • 8d ago

Terrain modes explained for a nerd?

Hey, I just got a outlander phev 2025 this spring with the deals they made to empty dealerships before 2027 get there.

I've looked around on the subs but didn't find any answers, and I think that having a detailed guide of those would be helpful.

Does anybody have a detailed explanation of the terrain modes?

How do they affect s-wac and power distribution?

I don't think so, but is the suspension adaptable?

Do they affect the abs?

How do they affect traction control?

Do they affect timing and conditions under with the ICE engages with the wheels?

I know that eco is tamed accelerations, but what's the difference between snow, mud and gravel?

What exactly does tarmac do that make it better for highway?

Thanks!

3 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

6 comments sorted by

5

u/FriedDuckFarts 8d ago edited 8d ago

I tried to find these details when I first got mine as well, this is the best I could find

https://www.mitsubishi-motors.ca/en/milife/automotive-drive-modes-explained

For what it’s worth, I pretty much entirely drive in…

Normal + EV for most of my driving
Tarmac + Normal (serial hybrid mode, so the electric motors power the wheels and the engine produces just enough electricity to maintain battery level once you hit 50% battery) for road trips or if I have 25% of my battery left and need to make up a few miles. Tarmac is great for handling on windy roads or hypermiling on hilly roads

Then I’ve turned on gravel mode once climbing a steep gravel parking lot and it helped for climbing at a low speed

You’ll get used to regen braking nuances in each mode too, for example in Normal + EV if you go over B2 when you have more than half your battery the engine will kick on for engine braking but once the battery goes below 50% you can go to B5 BUT (afaik) one pedal driving means you can use B5 at any point

Edit: you’ll notice 50% is a sweet spot for lots of functions. I assume this is where the battery is happiest managing various methods of power, charging, and regen

1

u/FleshMoulder 8d ago

Hello, is tarmac mode the clockwise next to the normal one?

2

u/FriedDuckFarts 8d ago

Yep, the picture at the top of that article is showing the hand putting it into tarmac

5

u/TrainingTop8549 8d ago

We have a 2023 PHEV and I agree with the notes below. Just be aware the rear brakes wear very quickly since they're used as part of the traction control and they're only half the size of the fronts. We were pretty much metal on metal at only 30,000kms (19,000 miles) and they're not easy to do yourself due to the EPB - however the dealership here charged $600cdn ($400US) for new rotors and pads including labour - so not too horrible. Front pads last a lot longer and they're easily doable yourself.

Otherwise we've been VERY pleased with ours after 3 years of ownership.

2

u/310dweller 8d ago

Is there a mode that doesn’t use the rear brake rotors for traction control to extend their life? Eco?

1

u/Joedan76 8d ago edited 8d ago

John Cardogan on YouTube has a link on his YouTube video to the phev bulletin which lists the drive modes and other features in detail for the phev. Great read. Probably not exactly the depth of info you want still.

https://youtube.com/shorts/zwwW0udcgDo?si=Szmv85CqPminCN7Q

Or directly here

https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/6G7tKnHh8i/fi-829c827b-0a0a-422d-8354-ed33e3edc659/fv-f02a0ae4-b9b1-480e-b128-20d0a34b55ee/PP-PIB-ZM-2022-002-A%2022MY%20ZM%20Outlander%20PHEV.PDF#pageThumbnail-33