Chevrolet Performance Mode Selector: Smarter Performance at the Touch of a Button

Think about how different your drive is during a daily commute, a weekend at Silverwood Lake, or when you're hauling your boat out past Barstow. It's almost like you need a different vehicle for each scenario, but that's not always practical. Chevrolet's Performance Mode Selector, also known as Driver Mode Control or Traction Select System, lets you decide how your Chevy responds to those different situations. With the quick turn of a dial or push of a button, you can change the whole experience. Interesting, right?

According to J.D. Power, SUVs and trucks accounted for 82.1% of U.S. new-vehicle sales in April 2025, and features like these are a big reason why drivers keep choosing them. Join us as we explore the various driving modes available in Chevy vehicles and how they enhance your driving experience.

How Performance Mode Selector Works

Think of this system as a fast way to match your car, truck, or SUV to the kind of driving you're doing. Select a mode, and the vehicle adjusts settings such as steering, ride stiffness, and transmission shift points. The car even changes how it delivers power and sound. You notice a difference right away. You don't need to stop and shift gears to change settings, either. The vehicle instantly adapts, as though it has different moods depending on the setting you choose.

Overview of Available Modes and What They Do

Chevy vehicles come with different modes based on the trim and model, but here's what you'll most likely find:

Tour/Normal Mode

This is the default setting for most Chevrolet vehicles. It strikes a balance between fuel economy and a comfortable ride. The throttle response remains smooth, the transmission shifts at fuel-saving RPMs, and the suspension keeps things composed. If you never touch the selector, your vehicle runs in Tour mode automatically.

Sport Mode

Want to have a little fun? Sport Mode livens things up. Steering tightens for improved feedback, and the suspension stiffens to reduce body roll. Your transmission holds gears longer and downshifts faster for quicker acceleration. This mode works best on dry roads when you want to enjoy your vehicle's performance. On some trims, the exhaust gets louder, adding a bit of excitement.

Snow/Ice Mode

Don't let Midwest winters keep you home. This setting helps you start smoothly and drive with more control when roads are slick. Throttle response softens, making it harder to accidentally spin the wheels when you're pulling away from a stop sign or turning onto a snowy side street.

Off-Road Mode

These modes are for dirt roads, sand, and rocky patches. Off-Road adjusts power and shifting for rough paths. Terrain mode can even slow the vehicle slightly when you take your foot off the gas, which helps on steeper trails or bumpy terrain. You get better control, less wheel slip, and more confidence off the pavement.

Tow/Haul Mode

Are you pulling a trailer to Spring Valley Lake or hauling mulch home from the Armstrong garden center? Tow/Haul keeps gears lower, so you have more power and less gear hunting on hills. It also helps with engine braking when you're coming down a slope. That means less wear on your brakes, too.

Terrain Mode

Terrain Mode is built for low-speed moves on uneven surfaces. The system adjusts shift mapping and traction control, while also adding automatic braking for improved control during challenging situations. It's great for launching or retrieving a boat, getting through heavy ruts, or crawling over rocky two-track roads. A nice bonus: when you release the gas pedal, the system automatically applies light braking. This means less pedal switching during technical maneuvers.

My Mode and Track Mode

With My Mode, you adjust settings for your favorite combo of engine, steering, and suspension. Through your center display, you can configure suspension tuning, steering feel, exhaust sound, engine response, and brake feel to create your ideal setup. Track Mode is designed for closed courses only and allows you to push the car's limits.

AWD

The all-wheel drive (AWD) system is designed to seamlessly engage when you need it, making it easy to transition from two-wheel drive to all-wheel drive without any driver input. This allows the vehicle to maintain optimal performance and stability in various weather conditions.

Z/V Mode

High-performance models, such as the Corvette, offer Z Mode or V Mode. These let you fine-tune propulsion settings for track driving. With a single button press, you can activate your ideal setup for the engine, transmission, suspension, and steering to maximize your vehicle's capabilities on the track.

Weather

Same as the Snow/Ice Mode, this Mode helps control wheel speed on slippery surfaces by adjusting the vehicle's throttle progression and transmission shifts. This is especially useful in heavy rain or when driving on wet roads.

Which Chevrolet Models Offer Performance Mode Selector

Chevrolet has put this technology across its lineup. Victorville Chevrolet new Chevrolet inventory all benefit from the adaptability. The specific modes available vary by model and trim.

Performance Cars: Corvette and Camaro

The Corvette and Camaro have the most advanced Driver Mode Control systems. Sport and Track modes maximize handling and driver feedback. My Mode and Z Mode (on the Corvette) give you deep customization for the track.

Trucks: Silverado and Colorado

Chevrolet trucks are built to work hard. The Silverado and Colorado offer Tow/Haul for heavy loads and Off-Road for tough trails. Your truck shifts from a comfortable daily driver to a capable workhorse with just one dial turn.

SUVs: Traverse, Tahoe, and Suburban

Family SUVs like the Traverse, Tahoe, and Suburban include Tour, Snow/Ice, and Tow/Haul modes. These handle school runs and family vacations with equal ease. Some models feature an AWD mode that boosts traction on wet or icy pavement.

Experience Chevy Performance at Victorville Chevrolet

You have to try these features to see what you like best. At Victorville Chevrolet, our team can guide you through the options for any trim and demonstrate how to set up the modes for your personalized routines. If you're curious about how different settings feel, swing by for a hands-on demo or take a test drive to see which one suits your driving style. Contact Victorville Chevrolet today to schedule your test drive.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Chevrolet Performance Mode Selector do?

It quickly tailors steering, suspension/ride stiffness, transmission shift points, power delivery, and even sound to match the drive—commute, towing, off-road, or performance.

Which drive modes are most common on Chevy vehicles?

Tour/Normal, Sport, Snow/Ice, Off-Road, Tow/Haul, Terrain, plus model-specific options like My Mode, Track Mode, AWD engagement, and Z or V Mode on high-performance models.

Is Track Mode meant for everyday street driving?

No. Track Mode is designed for closed courses only so you can explore the car’s limits in a controlled environment.

Which Chevrolet models offer these modes?

Chevrolet has brought the technology across the lineup—including performance cars (Corvette, Camaro), trucks (Silverado, Colorado), and SUVs (Traverse, Tahoe, Suburban)—with modes varying by trim.