What is the NORMAL mode in a car?
4 Answers
NORMAL in a car refers to the standard driving mode, which is the most commonly used mode. In this mode, every aspect of the car's performance is balanced, including fuel efficiency, quietness, and power. It achieves the optimal balance between fuel economy, quietness, and power performance, making it suitable for city driving. To meet different driving requirements and adapt to various road conditions, automatic transmissions are equipped with different shift logics in their electronic control units. A mode selection switch is also provided on the control panel, allowing drivers to choose the transmission control mode independently. Common control modes for automatic transmissions include the following: Economy Mode (ECONOMY): This control mode is designed to achieve the best fuel economy. When the automatic transmission operates in economy mode, its shift logic ensures that the engine frequently runs within the economical speed range during driving, thereby improving fuel efficiency. Power Mode (POWER): This control mode is designed to maximize the car's power performance. In this mode, the automatic transmission's shift logic ensures that the engine frequently operates within the high-power range during driving, thereby enhancing the car's power performance and climbing ability. Snow Mode (SNOW): Some automatic transmission models feature a "snowflake" button near the gear lever, which activates the snow mode. This mode uses preset automation programs to make the transmission start in second gear, ensuring smoother and gentler torque output and reducing the likelihood of tire slippage on slippery snow surfaces. Sport Mode (SPORT): The electronic control unit increases the engine speed to maintain sufficient torque and enhance power performance, though this consumes more fuel. It briefly boosts the engine's power for rapid acceleration, essentially acting as an acceleration gear, hill-climbing gear, or overtaking gear. In sport mode, the engine speed rises sharply. Additionally, high engine speeds in sport mode can help remove carbon deposits from the engine. However, it is not advisable to use this mode continuously, as it increases the transmission's load, raises its temperature, and accelerates wear. Individual Mode (INDIVIDUAL): This mode allows drivers to customize the feedback of various modules, typically including steering wheel weight, chassis stiffness, throttle response, transmission reaction, engine mode, steering system mode, and exhaust system mode.
The car I'm currently using has a Normal mode, which is basically the most commonly used setting. The steering wheel maintains medium feedback force, the throttle response is neither too aggressive nor too sluggish, and the entire acceleration process is very smooth. The transmission shifts also aim for smoothness, with the RPM controlled at a moderate level. The chassis tuning leans towards comfort, effectively filtering out bumps when going over speed bumps and small potholes. Functions like the air conditioning and audio system operate automatically according to standard needs. This mode is particularly suitable for city commuting and highway cruising, making long drives less tiring, and it strikes a good balance between comfort and fuel efficiency. I usually switch to this mode right after getting in the car, and it requires no effort to operate.
Fuel efficiency is my top priority when driving, so I pay special attention to the Normal mode. In this state, the engine management is very restrained, avoiding aggressive throttle inputs, and the transmission shifts up eagerly to keep the RPMs in the economical range. The air conditioning automatically reduces compressor power, and even the electric power steering is set to medium effort to save electricity. The manufacturer claims this mode can save 1-2 liters per 100 kilometers compared to Sport mode. Last time I took a long trip using Normal mode exclusively, after 600 kilometers, the fuel gauge had only dropped halfway—truly efficient. With fuel prices so high now, unless I need to overtake in a hurry, I stick to this mode for driving.
When I first got my driver's license, I learned from the manual that there is a Normal mode. This is actually the most basic driving setting of the vehicle, with everything set to a neutral state. The steering wheel feels neither too light nor too heavy, the throttle doesn't cause sudden jerks, and the brakes are linear and smooth. What makes me feel most at ease is that functions like the wipers and headlights are set to automatic sensing, so I don't have to fumble around adjusting them when it rains or gets dark. The audio volume also adjusts with the vehicle speed, and it automatically increases in tunnels, which is very thoughtful. As a new driver, this mode allows me to focus more on the road conditions without being distracted by adjusting various functions, making the drive feel particularly reassuring.
