Tune vs Drive Modes vs Tune

[6Bolt]

OK so no one to this point has been able to explain to my satisfaction how selectable drive modes (2015 Mustang GT Premium) are affected by or effect a tune.

The drive mode selector changes a plethora of parameters/functions, including steering feedback, throttle mapping, shift points/pressures for automatics, traction control, electronic stability control (AdvanceTrac) sensitivity, and torque management settings. Track mode fully disables traction control but retains some stability control.

Sounds like they swap out (explicitly change) the various tables the affected systems read from...
IE: New throttle mapping fed to the ECM/ECU
New shift point strategy and shift pressure mapping fed to the TCM/PCM
New Traction control parameters
New Torque management limits
New AdvanceTrac settings

So before I go and purchase a tuner and install a tune I want to know...
When changing drive modes (or putting the automatic in Sport mode which is yet another change to the shift points/firmness and throttle response):
1. Is the tune completely changed? IE: Each mode basically a completely different tune?
2. Is the tune changed by a number of parameters being modified?
If the tune is "altered" by the mode selection then how are they doing it? explicitly or relatively?
I mean if the tunes parameters were already more extreme than the drive mode and they change them out explicitly it seems like that would thus de-tune those parameters.
If they are changing them relatively isn't there a risk of the parameters values changing too much? IE: a % change in value thus becomes more extreme.

[mikel]

the modes still change, they are not part of the calibration, the tune changes apply to all modes.

[6Bolt]

the modes still change, they are not part of the calibration, the tune changes apply to all modes.

Thanks for the response...

Not part of the calibration? Maybe I am confused... I sure hope they are at least taken into consideration.

There are absolutely going to be some global parameters that will apply across the board but not all of them... Each of the drive modes change shift points/pressures, throttle response, traction control, torque management, steering, and even braking feel.

A tune will also change shift points/pressures, throttle response, traction control, and torque management as well as all of the other engine parameters right?

You state the modes are not part of the calibration but yet the drive modes are each going to be affected by the tune (a tune is also going to be affected by the current mode selected per the changes listed above).

I'm asking in what way? When changing different drive modes are settings explicitly overwritten (B now = C)* or are they changed relatively (B changes C%)* to the base tunes parameters? *B=Base tune, C=Changed (Value or Amount)

Maybe I'm asking the wrong questions or looking in the wrong place...

[Velethuil]

This is something i am also curious about as well.
Haven't been able to find an answer to it so far in the forums.. so i hope you someone can answer..

[dplummer87]

This is something i am also curious about as well.
Haven't been able to find an answer to it so far in the forums.. so i hope you someone can answer..

yeah, same here. i just installed my tuner but im terrified to put it into sport mode... i only have the 3.5 f150 but the tuner did wonders for waking up the truck

[mikel]

tune affects the pcm calibration, adding power, improving shifting, etc.

the modes are just subsets of that same cal, so sport makes it shift a little firmer and maybe makes the throttle a little snappier....but the tune is still there, still adding power, still making things better. There is no good reason to fear using the modes when the tune is loaded