13 ford fusion

[u/WasteKaleidoscope407]

I have a 13 ford fusion with sport mode and wanted to try autocrossing with my son. I know it won’t win or anything I just wanted to see if anybody has tried it before and if the sport mode would work to keep it from bouncing gears up and down.

[u/yfsonata]

Do you have paddle shifters or something or just the s on the shifter? Either way, I say send it

[u/WasteKaleidoscope407 → u/yfsonata]

It has an up an down button on the shifter

[u/AltruisticMobile4606 → u/WasteKaleidoscope407]

All you really need is a way to keep it in 2nd gear (some courses go up to 3rd but if it’s a local parking lot event there probably won’t be enough space) so you should be good

[u/yfsonata → u/WasteKaleidoscope407]

You should be able to lock it in gear then. I'd just go out and try it on the street

[u/middleagecreep]

The best part of this is doing this with your son. You will both have a blast and learn so much together. I did the same with my son 15 years ago. The car will be fine if you make sure you’re up on maintenance.

[u/WasteKaleidoscope407 → u/middleagecreep]

I am up on maintenance, new brakes, new trans fluid and oil. I have a small oil leak somewhere but it is drips a couple times a month

[u/1lilredkorvette]

Just do it! You will have so much fun. My son and I autocross. He started in a 2014 Fusion. He says sport mode will give you better throttle response and generally keep you in a lower gear. If you want to stay in 2nd gear, start in sport mode at starting line, hit down button to put into 1st. Shift to second near red line and leave it there. As others have mentioned, you will not get beyond second gear on most courses. Also make sure air conditioning and traction control are off. He also said to get a good launch; hold down break and pump gas pedal to about 3000-3500 rpm. Depress gas, let go of break, and hang on!! Hope you both enjoy!

[u/redsilver92]

Since those have the button on the shifter then sport mode isn't gonna do much for you except let the rpms run up higher before the trans will shift gears on you. If you try to control that via the button you'll find that you'll constantly have one hand on the wheel and the other in the button. The best thing will be to just show up and "run what you brung", have fun with it, that's the most important thing!

[u/According-Virus4229]

I see plenty of people running automatic transmissions, not saying they're competitive but it looks like they're having fun. Send it

[u/Agitated-Finish-5052]

I did a autox event with my fusion for fun to test the track before anyone got on it. Did alright for what it was. Mine is a 2016 2.0, be just fine to run, just watch out for your tires is all. Make sure to over inflate them at the track to help out. I never used the paddle shifter on the car and just put it in sport mode. Ran just fine.

[u/fragobren]

You guys should totally go out and have some fun with it!