BLOG: Modern Car Security: Limp Home Mode

This is a modern feature design, intended to get you home when a car runs out of charge. Named limp home mode, as a comic play on a wobbly walk home. This allows you to drive to a near safe destination aka: the next safe area- before totally losing power.

EV or fuel driver? It's important you know. This mode is a clever security feature that some drivers know nothing of until it happens. This article will prepare you in swift detail. 

What Exactly is Limp Home Mode?

When activated, limp mode resides inside the car's electronic control unit. It means the motor/engine runs on limited performance, to push you home. The reason? To prevent the problem from reaching the engine further.

Signs of Veering into Limp Mode:

As you accelerate the motor won't exceed 2500 to 30rpm. This means no hard revving. If you feel the car is slow, your turbocharger may be faulty.

Your dashboard will be flashing or continuous, indicating engine power is reduced.

Dangerous?

Limp mode is not dangerous because the car remains operational... but it's modified to get you off the road to safety, not drive onto a motorway with a risk of your motor cutting off. Be safe for other drivers.

Is Your Car Affected?

No.

Limp mode is designed to prevent damage and will succeed in its job. Simply avoid continuing to drive on a long journey. It works to combat faults that signal a danger of losing driving power is looming if you don't find a place to stop.

What Causes Limp Mode?

A range of things signal the feature to engage. Sometimes, as we know it can just be the simple things: faulty engine sensor, transmission, turbocharger, wiring or electronic.

EV's rarely have brake problems, but if they ever do, limp mode kicks in. EV's will actually enter into a low power state before its battery runs down 100%. Use this time to get to safety.

How to Operate Limp Mode Stage:

Don't panic. The best thing to do is drive home, or a close safe spot.

So once you've reached a destination, turn off your car. This should fix the issue for an EV. For a fuel engine, it may not start again; meaning you must fix it before driving again.

If you are close to a reliable garage drive directly there. Maybe call them first to get their estimated fix date and time.

The Garage's Role?

Professionals will examine the on-board diagnostic system. A fault code will have been logged automatically. The garage will read this, and identify the issue.

Act Fast:

Ignoring the problem is a bad idea. Avoid this. Act on the warning, drive home safely.