drift / track mode - how much does it let you play?

[Topornottop]

Hi Gents! New member here and I'm trying to decide if it's worth spending the extra ~$5K to get the performance model, mostly for the track/drift mode.

I've watched lots of video on drift/track mode, (mostly M3P's) and some times it looks like what I want and other times people are still saying the electronic nanny's kick in and hinder the ability to rotate the car (see vid linked below). I've test driven a MY but my local dealer claims they do not get MYP's for test drives.

I just want to be able rotate the car with throttle lift overseer (obviously it will be a little different if re-gen is involved). Also, making a sharp turn from a stop, I'd like to be able to kick the rear out a little under power. I realize that even if you select 100% RWD, you still get AWD in a straight line. I also understand that you can't send *all* the power to the rear, since there is no centralized motor and center diff.

The MY's are heavy (compared to a sport car), but they have a 50/50 weight balance and a very low COG. I know they are not exactly going to be a Miata, but you still, in theory should be able to play around a little, right?

Also, can I program a S3XY button to enable drift mode. The website looks like it has that as a function, but does that just take you to the track mode screen? Do you then still have to deal with the "closed course" disclaimer every time? In other words, can I just use a S3XY button to turn track mode on and off without touching anything on the touch screen?

Here's that vid, but it's a little confusing as to whether or not they were running the latest track mode - I believe the video was shot a long time before they posted it up. Any insight?

 

[Goobers]

While I have an MYP, I haven’t used track mode all that much, so I can’t really say anything about the “nanny.”

I’ve also seen a couple of different YT videos too. I would chalk it all to a difference in driving style and experience (both in general and with the specific vehicle). Every car and driver each have a limit. The question is, when you hit a limit, is it the car’s limit or the driver’s limit?

Did the person that claimed the nanny, hit their limit that another driver was able to surpass with better skill? Or did they really hit the car’s limit and the other driver simply didn’t push as hard?

There's a thread (What motor does your 2023 Model Y have?) where a poster mentioned that in normal drive, Tesla pumps all the power into the rear until it’s maxed, then anything after goes to the front. I have no idea how factual that is, I can only take their word for it.

Although the battery can’t output enough to push both motors to 100% at the same time, it definitely has more than enough push one to 100% and still have power for the other.

I’m just guessing (wildly), but maybe Tesla programmed the system to still use the leftover power even if you put 100% to one end and 0% to the other in track mode.

As for the buttons, no idea as I don’t have them. I would guess they might not bypass that disclaimer screen (the screen is part of the reason I don’t use track mode often too).

 

[Topornottop]

While I have an MYP, I haven’t used track mode all that much, so I can’t really say anything about the “nanny.”

I’ve also seen a couple of different YT videos too. I would chalk it all to a difference in driving style and experience (both in general and with the specific vehicle). Every car and driver each have a limit. The question is, when you hit a limit, is it the car’s limit or the driver’s limit?

Did the person that claimed the nanny, hit their limit that another driver was able to surpass with better skill? Or did they really hit the car’s limit and the other driver simply didn’t push as hard?

There's a thread (What motor does your 2023 Model Y have?) where a poster mentioned that in normal drive, Tesla pumps all the power into the rear until it’s maxed, then anything after goes to the front. I have no idea how factual that is, I can only take their word for it.

Although the battery can’t output enough to push both motors to 100% at the same time, it definitely has more than enough push one to 100% and still have power for the other.

I’m just guessing (wildly), but maybe Tesla programmed the system to still use the leftover power even if you put 100% to one end and 0% to the other in track mode.

As for the buttons, no idea as I don’t have them. I would guess they might not bypass that disclaimer screen (the screen is part of the reason I don’t use track mode often too).

Thanks for the response Goobers. I don't think it was as driver skill issue. The problem seems to be that the software was not allowing the driver to send power to the rear wheels to break them loose in a understeer situation. Also seemed to be unpredictable - sometimes it will kick the trail out under power, other times it doesn't want to respond to the throttle. That could get frustrating...

Anyone else have anything to comment on this matter?

 

[Topornottop]

I'll try this response again, since my last post is still pending mod approval...

Thanks for the response Goobers. I don't think it was as driver skill issue. The problem seems to be that the software was not allowing the driver to send power to the rear wheels to break them loose in a under-steer situation. Also seemed to be unpredictable - sometimes it will kick the trail out under power, other times it doesn't want to respond to the throttle. That could get frustrating...

Anyone else have anything to comment on this matter?

 

[Sweed269]

There is a thread on how to get the most out of track mode in the snow. basically you need to set it to -9 and NOT all the way off.

 

[Topornottop]

OK, thanks for that. I do some searching for that thread.

 

[hyp36rmax]

Yes MYP all day long unless you need a 7 seater.

 

[tm1v2]

@Topornottop Track Mode will let you do exactly the type of car control you described, and is essential for that. Traction control and stability control on the 3 and Y are too intrusive otherwise. This I can say with plenty of firsthand experience in my M3P.

Now if you want to do 80+ mph drifting on frozen lakes, that sort of thing is where Track Mode is insufficient, and you would need to explore electronics mods to allow it. I've not had the pleasure to experience such driving - future bucket list stuff for sure - this is just what I've read on here, and it matches up with YouTube reviewers that have found Track Mode doesn't allow for high speed continuous drifting.

I have an M3P, not a Y, and I've never driven MYP with Track Mode, but my understanding is they're pretty much the same in these regards - same batteries, motors, open diffs, very similar standard nanny behavior, and very similar Track Mode limits with the same settings available.