Getting squirrely?

[akawease]

I have broke in the milage recommendations on my 2024 Mustang GT Premium (automatic). I have "tried" the different modes, but not hard. Does anyone have any advice for just having fun? I'm 54 and have had cars like a '69 Road Runner, '94 SHO, and other cars over the years, but nothing like a new '24 Mustang GT Premium. The power is there, but I don't want to be that video where the car is crashed. I want to get on it, but I'm just looking for opinions or experiences. Thanks.

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[POHLHAMMER]

I like sport mode. Play with the paddle shifters , and let it get some RPMS. I don't have much experience myself with cars at all. Seems pretty stable with all the modern stability controls on. Maybe one day I'll find a big parking lot and mess around with that turned off.

 

[smurfslayer]

I have broke in the milage recommendations on my 2024 Mustang GT Premium (automatic). I have "tried" the different modes, but not hard. Does anyone have any advice for just having fun? I'm 54 and have had cars like a '69 Road Runner, '94 SHO, and other cars over the years, but nothing like a new '24 Mustang GT Premium. The power is there, but I don't want to be that video where the car is crashed. I want to get on it, but I'm just looking for opinions or experiences. Thanks.

Unless you have Pirelli Trofeos with >1500 miles on them, you’ll be fine. Respect it and gradually get used to it.

This ain’t our previous generation’s Mustang, it’s orders of magnitude superior to the s197 & Fox body ( the v8 Fairmont ). This thing has solid traction and stability control, really decent suspension for stock, and is objectively superior to anything from the muscle car era. I had couple 455 Olds, big and small block Cougars, and the new Mustang is just plain more fun.
The first time I -really- caned my MDH, some guy was making a left turn from a 2 lane road signed at 60 mph and they were seriously turtling. There was no oncoming traffic but yeah, they slowed to 2-3 mph. I was in sport mode and well... yeah, I floored it. She’s right quick.
But even if you get a bit, inarticulate with the throttle, the rear, stability control and traction control works like a traction “overdraft protection”. Now, when you overdraw the traction bank account, you don’t have to end up in Youtube infamy!

 

[MAT1955]

@akawease ..... great advice from forum members, use it and you'll be fine. On most of "that guy" Mustang fail videos from coffee and cars meets were guys turning out from the parking lots and hammering it at the same time, so naturally their cars shot all over the place when they lost control.

 

[LETHAL]

Paddles in drag mode, cars an animal.

 

[decidave8]

I would say you just have to watch out because it does grip so well. In that olds it’s easy to break it free, and slide around where as in this that joker will catch you in a slide hard so it’s unexpected. Track mode disabled some stability features and makes it easier to get sideways with out some random breaking action that you are not anticipating.

 

[RLE55]

If you tamed a 69 Road Runner, you'll be fine in the 24 Stang...it'll all come back to ya...

 

[young at heart]

Here you go:

-use only the best 93 octane you can find
-put the car in track mode EDIT: I shoulda said if track mode seems too aggressive start off with sport mode and work your way up to track
-don’t manually disable any other traction or stability controls for now
-two hands on the wheel
-send it from a standing start and hold it down till you notice cojone shrinkage
-be prepared for a small amount of wheelspin on the 1-2 and 2-3 upshifts
-try not to smile too big, remember it looks dorky
-rinse and repeat

Seriously, just use this protocol repeatedly until you and the car get used to each other. Then and only then, if this isn’t enough for you start trying drag strip mode and play around with paddles and traction/stability controls. You may or may not feel the need.

I‘m 20 years your senior and lived to tell it through the OG muscle car era. It’s like riding a bike and that other thing-you never forget how. But know this: even bone stock the car is fast AF and demands your respect and attention. Given the constant forum focus on go-even-faster mods it’s easy to lose sight of this fact. Drive your own ride how you want and learn the car.

Do this and you’ll be rewarded with big smiles! Keep us posted.

 

[Wiley Marmot]

"v8 Fairmont" and "cajone shrinkage" Awesome!

 

[Alan Applegate]

This is a true statement: Paddles in drag mode, cars an animal.

It is also true of the Eco-Boost too!

 

[Q6543]

I’ll add something I didn’t see brought up, the drive by wire throttle body has not only a small lag getting into the gas but also letting off…

Biggest advice is to let out early before you normally would as it may take a few extra milliseconds to stop accelerating

 

[rockman 2738]

A few things I have experienced. Track Mode, it upshifts and downshifts just like you're on a track. Drag Mode, (my favorite), harsh shifts at or near red line. If you have it on the mat it will definitely squawk the tires on the 1-2 and 2-3 shifts. Don't nail it if you are turning or on a painted surface, such as a crosswalk. That's a total loss of traction. Turning off Traction Conrtol from a standing start and you'll just smoke em until you let up on the gas. My car is equipped with Pirelli P Zeros and they are listed as summer only. They're not kidding. I'm in Las Vegas Nevada and the temps get into the 30s on occasion. I've had several scary experiences when the temperature was in the high 40s to mid-50s. I went to pass on the expressway and floored it at about 50-55, the rear end swung around and the car went into a violent fishtail for three oscillations. Nobody behind me got close to me after that escapade. I won't do that again. I always have a big smile on my face when I get out of it!

 

[fishinrich]

Paddles in drag mode, cars an animal.

O boy....now I gotta try this......

 

[akawease]

If you tamed a 69 Road Runner, you'll be fine in the 24 Stang...it'll all come back to ya...

I figured as much, but going from 390 horsepower and 490 pound-feet of torque to 486 hp and less torque and weight, just throwing caution out there.

 

[jboogie1289]

Fair enough but safe to say that you’re more responsible at 54 vs 24 so you have to take that into account as well but make no mistake, this thing can SCOOT!! I’m 56 and show my GT much respect. I know now how hard to push and how long to push. I too, choose Sport Mode with Track exhaust and don’t care much for Drag/Track Modes. Those seem to be more stretched out and much more accelerator pushing but exhilarating nonetheless. You’ll find your ideal mode and when you do, make it a Custom Mode and you’ll always be Smiling with each pedal push!!

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