Does A Dodge Ram 1500 Have Sport Mode?

If you want the absolute best performance out of your vehicle, you’ll want to know if it has Sport Mode.

Sport Mode increases a vehicle’s power and torque, improving speed, acceleration, and handling.

Some truck owners also want this advanced setting; however, not all manufacturers offer it.

The only Ram 1500 that offers Sport Mode is the Ram 1500 TRX. No other model of Ram 1500 has this setting. You can turn on Sport Mode in a Ram 1500 TRX by selecting “Mode” and then “Sport.”

What Is Sport Mode?

To understand Sport Mode, you first need to know what a throttle and a throttle map are. 

The throttle is crucial to performance because when it opens, it lets gas into the engine – the more gas an engine gets, the more power it produces.

A throttle map describes the ratio between gas pedal depression and how much the throttle opens. 

For example, the standard throttle map opens the throttle 30% when you push the gas pedal 30% towards the floor. 

Sport Mode changes your vehicle’s throttle map by using computers to open the throttle more than usual.

For instance, if you push the pedal down 30%, the throttle may open 50%, allowing more power and speed when accelerating. 

Sport Mode also commonly affects the transmission, particularly in automatic vehicles. 

In most cases, manufacturers build automatic vehicles to shift up as quickly as possible, improving gas mileage.

However, when cars run this way, they linger on low RPMs and produce less power. 

In Sport Mode, the vehicle runs at higher RPMs, giving it more horsepower and torque, allowing for better performance. 

Does the Ram 1500 Have Sport Mode?

In most cases, the Ram 1500 does not have Sport Mode. The notable exception is the Ram 1500 TRX. 

How Is the Ram 1500 TRX Different Than Other Ram 1500s?

The Ram 1500 TRX is one of the most powerful pickup trucks on the market. 

With a V8 engine capable of 702 HP and 650 lb-ft of torque, the TRX blows other Ram 1500s out of the water when it comes to power. 

For comparison, the most powerful engine in other Ram 1500s can only produce 395 HP and 410 lb-ft of torque. 

The TRX’s engine power is much closer to the Challenger Hellcat or the Dodge Charger than other pickup trucks. 

There are other differences between the TRX and other Ram 1500s, but its engine power is the main reason it’s the only 1500 to include Sport Mode.

How to Use Sport Mode in a Ram 1500 TRX?

To use Sport Mode in a Ram 1500 TRX, press the “TRX” button found on the right side of the steering wheel. 

A new screen will appear on the dashboard display, showing the different Drive Mode options.

Press the arrows underneath the “TRX” button until you get to “Sport.”

You can also choose “Custom” to set your configurations exactly how you want. 

The customizable options are: 

• Transmission – Sport, Tow, or Street 
• Paddle Shifters – On or Off 
• Stability – Sport, Street, or Rock 
• Suspension – Sport, Street, or Baja (Desert)
• Steering – Sport, Street, or Rock 

Can I Turn On Sport Mode While I’m Driving?

Yes, you can turn on Sport Mode while driving, and it won’t damage your Ram. 

Chrysler made Sport Mode so you can engage it whenever you need it, including while driving.

Is Sport Mode Bad for My Engine?

Overall, Sport Mode is not bad for your vehicle; however, it can add extra wear to your engine during use.  

You should refrain from constantly driving in Sport Mode because it may lead to early engine damage.

Sport Mode is unnecessary when driving in normal conditions – it’s most effective when your truck needs a little extra performance. 

You shouldn’t have problems if you use Sport Mode occasionally and don’t leave it on for long periods of time.

Is Sport Mode and Eco Mode the Same?

Sport Mode and Eco Mode are not the same – they are opposites. 

Where Sport Mode gives your vehicle a more aggressive throttle map, Eco Mode makes the map more subdued. 

The point of Eco Mode is to save fuel, and it does so by opening the throttle only as much as needed.

Sport Mode, on the other hand, uses a larger quantity of fuel since it opens the throttle more, allowing for more power.

Should I Use Sport Mode in the Snow?

You should not use Sport Mode in the snow.

Sport Mode does not help you maneuver through snow and can make you more susceptible to sliding. 

If you have a Ram 1500 TRX, you should choose Snow Mode for driving in winter, as it’s calibrated for snowy and icy conditions. 

In a regular Ram 1500, there is no Snow Mode, but the trucks do well in the snow without needing a specific mode. 

Is Driving in Sport Mode Different Than Regular Driving?

Overall, driving in Sport Mode isn’t much different than regular driving. 

The most noticeable difference in Sport Mode is that the gas pedal is more responsive, meaning you will accelerate faster. 

Drivers accelerating using Sport Mode should be mindful of the ‘touchiness’ of the pedal so they don’t cause an accident.

What Other Trucks Have Sport Mode?

Most Ram 1500s do not have Sport Mode, but others do, including:

• Ford F-150 
• Toyota Tacoma TRD
• Chevrolet Silverado 
• Hyundai Santa Cruz 
• Ford Ranger 
• Ford Maverick 
• Jeep Gladiator 

Like Dodge Rams, not every make and model of these brands will have Sport Mode.

Conclusion

Sport Mode increases the power of your engine and improves a vehicle’s overall performance. 

Unfortunately, most Dodge Ram 1500s do not have Sport Mode, except for the Ram 1500 TRX. 

The TRX has a powerful 702 HP V8 engine with 650 lb-ft of torque, making it the perfect Ram 1500 for the Sport Mode feature.

To enable Sport Mode on your TRX, push the TRX button on your steering wheel to bring up the Drive Modes on your dashboard display, then select “Sport.”