Thought it would be fun to chronical the history and adventures of my daily driven 2021 base model. I’ve never done anything like this before so I’m not sure how this might play out, but we’re gonna give it a go! I plan on capturing MPG info, maintenance, mods, driving impressions, driving adventures and who knows what else – we shall see. Here goes!
The Adventures of Fletch’s (formerly) Daily Driven 2021 GT500
fletchffletch
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Got to play around with Launch Control for the first time on Saturday. I was dodging hit and miss showers trying to find some stretches of dry pavement and no traffic. Took me a few times of pulling over and reading the manual and some trial and error to figure it out. I had a hard time mentally getting over the whole step on the brake and put the pedal to the floor thing. My mind kept saying “wait, won’t that just burn up the DCT and hit the redline?”.
Did a couple of 0-60-ish runs on some short sections of dry road. I had launch set at 1800 rpm. What a feeling having those rear tires clawing for traction! Freaking loved the acceleration! Had the windows down and the exhaust was roaring - glorious!
I was in Sport Mode as I figured I needed a bit more electrical help given I was on pretty narrow country roads.
Ran out of time so I’m looking forward to next time with dryer and hotter weather.
Did a couple of 0-60-ish runs on some short sections of dry road. I had launch set at 1800 rpm. What a feeling having those rear tires clawing for traction! Freaking loved the acceleration! Had the windows down and the exhaust was roaring - glorious!
I was in Sport Mode as I figured I needed a bit more electrical help given I was on pretty narrow country roads.
Ran out of time so I’m looking forward to next time with dryer and hotter weather.
First tank on my dime yielded 14.4 mpg by hand calculation, slightly lower than the computer is saying. Highway, mixed and some launch control fun.
Attachments
Also got some small projects taken care of over the weekend.
Jaeger Brother flaps, Husky Liners (X-Act Contour model not the Weatherbeater model) and installed my radar detector using all the same Blend Mount and Wire Tap gear from my 2011 GT500.
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Jaeger Brother flaps, Husky Liners (X-Act Contour model not the Weatherbeater model) and installed my radar detector using all the same Blend Mount and Wire Tap gear from my 2011 GT500.
You can set launch control to work in other modes, but if you are using launch control, there is no reason to use anything other than Drag Mode! In DM, the rear shocks soften for weight transfer (better launch). They firm back up when out of the hole. The tranny will give you the hardest shifts as well (like old school power shifting). Keep the steering wheel top dead center! 🤟 Stay on the throttle! Don’t be 🐓 ❗
Hey all. Three major events over the last little while has kept me busy:
Car has about 3k miles on it now. We returned to work a couple of weeks back so mileage is accumulating. I hand calc/track my fuel mileage and put together a bar chart showing mpgs under different driving situations.
Still amazed at the technology of the different driving modes. It’s a highway cruiser (comfort steering, quiet exhaust), or a track beast, or anything in between. Loving the versatility of this car.
To maintain relations in the neighbor, I’ve set it to start in Quiet exhaust prior to 8am. Helps when I leave out at 6:15am to head to work. It’s a nice feature to have.
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- Tail of the Dragon run with @03reptile and @msirach (Oct 1-3)
- GT500 Track Attack in Charlotte with my oldest son as my guest (Oct 24-25)
- My first ever track day at Atlanta Motorsports Park (in my 2021) (Nov 6)
Car has about 3k miles on it now. We returned to work a couple of weeks back so mileage is accumulating. I hand calc/track my fuel mileage and put together a bar chart showing mpgs under different driving situations.
Still amazed at the technology of the different driving modes. It’s a highway cruiser (comfort steering, quiet exhaust), or a track beast, or anything in between. Loving the versatility of this car.
To maintain relations in the neighbor, I’ve set it to start in Quiet exhaust prior to 8am. Helps when I leave out at 6:15am to head to work. It’s a nice feature to have.
Funny! Your bar chart certainly reflects your driving habits during the Tail of the Dragon adventure! We certainly supported the gasoline stations during those drives! Looking forward to your video's!
What are these?
There are a couple of different options but the ones I got attach to the pinch welds which allows me to use my QuickJack to jack up the car. Here's a link to the selection. Sorry for the delayed reply.
(1) Ford Mustang Jack/Lift Pads – ZL1 Addons
About 4,200 miles now. We went back to the office in November in a 3 day in / 2 day at home mode. After getting through the holidays with short weeks and time off at Thanksgiving and Christmas, the miles have started to accumulate faster and seat time is increasing. A few things that I've discovered as a result...
1. Center console is pretty darn useless. Size is ok but wish it had some more functionality/storage -- even a darn coin holder. Mine is now packed with napkins, USB charging cables, toothpicks and coins. I end up having to dig for stuff. I could probably do a better job figure something out.
2. I'm pleased with interior -- it suites me. I'm glad it does not have one gigantic touch screen that operates everything. I like the fact that there is an actual big volume knob, there are toggles and switches, etc.. The center console/screen is intuitive and easy to use -- just enough tech for me.
3. AppleCar play works great. Waze is my friend. Every now and then the center screen console/system won't recognize my iPhone -- not sure if it the system or my phone.
4. I wish the temperature toggle/rocker was more of a rotary knob like the volume knob. It works ok just not as easy as a rotary knob would.
5. Buttons on the steering wheel are well laid out. I use them often for volume and scanning through various things.
6. Seat heaters work! Man, you fire it up remotely from a distance and by the time you get in the car, the seat (and your butt) is cookin' baby!
7. Cup holders are great. The tensioners really help keep mugs anchored in. I have yet to run in to a situation where a cup doesn't fit.
8. For some reason, the memory seat does not always automatically return to the setting when I start it up. Have to manually hit the 1 button. Not a big deal, just a minor inconvenience.
9. Wish it was a bit easier navigate back and forth between the various menus. For instance, I like to monitor my gauges (temps, etc.) and my tire pressures -- I wish it was easier to simply switch between those two but they require navigating though various menus.
I've been running with a track alignment since early November (first track day). 4Ss are looking good. Two more track days scheduled -- one in Feb and one in Mar.
1. Center console is pretty darn useless. Size is ok but wish it had some more functionality/storage -- even a darn coin holder. Mine is now packed with napkins, USB charging cables, toothpicks and coins. I end up having to dig for stuff. I could probably do a better job figure something out.
2. I'm pleased with interior -- it suites me. I'm glad it does not have one gigantic touch screen that operates everything. I like the fact that there is an actual big volume knob, there are toggles and switches, etc.. The center console/screen is intuitive and easy to use -- just enough tech for me.
3. AppleCar play works great. Waze is my friend. Every now and then the center screen console/system won't recognize my iPhone -- not sure if it the system or my phone.
4. I wish the temperature toggle/rocker was more of a rotary knob like the volume knob. It works ok just not as easy as a rotary knob would.
5. Buttons on the steering wheel are well laid out. I use them often for volume and scanning through various things.
6. Seat heaters work! Man, you fire it up remotely from a distance and by the time you get in the car, the seat (and your butt) is cookin' baby!
7. Cup holders are great. The tensioners really help keep mugs anchored in. I have yet to run in to a situation where a cup doesn't fit.
8. For some reason, the memory seat does not always automatically return to the setting when I start it up. Have to manually hit the 1 button. Not a big deal, just a minor inconvenience.
9. Wish it was a bit easier navigate back and forth between the various menus. For instance, I like to monitor my gauges (temps, etc.) and my tire pressures -- I wish it was easier to simply switch between those two but they require navigating though various menus.
I've been running with a track alignment since early November (first track day). 4Ss are looking good. Two more track days scheduled -- one in Feb and one in Mar.
Forgot to post this video to this thread. My first attempt at putting together a video. Wish I could have figured out how to get some music incorporated but oh well!
GT500 Track Attack in Charlotte with my oldest son as my guest (Oct 24-25)
GT500 Track Attack (Oct 24-25, 2021) - YouTube
GT500 Track Attack in Charlotte with my oldest son as my guest (Oct 24-25)
GT500 Track Attack (Oct 24-25, 2021) - YouTube
And another couple vids I forgot to post to this thread.
My first ever track day at Atlanta Motorsports Park (in my 2021) (Nov 6)
First Track Day and Best Lap in my 2021 Shelby GT500 at Atlanta Motorsports Park - YouTube
2021 Shelby GT500 + First Track Day Ever + Atlanta Motorsports Park = AWESOME! - YouTube
My first ever track day at Atlanta Motorsports Park (in my 2021) (Nov 6)
First Track Day and Best Lap in my 2021 Shelby GT500 at Atlanta Motorsports Park - YouTube
2021 Shelby GT500 + First Track Day Ever + Atlanta Motorsports Park = AWESOME! - YouTube
Great videos Kris! Can't wait for Shelbyfest this Spring and watch you kick Tim's butt!
Where are our "Tail of The Dragon" video's? Come on, Man! (Ah La Brandon!)
2014 Shelby GT500 Vert, 2019 Ford F150 Limited, 2020 BMW 430I
Joined
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893 Posts
Yes! Great videos and where are the Tail videos? LolGreat videos Kris! Can't wait for Shelbyfest this Spring and watch you kick Tim's butt!
Can we just take a second to appreciate the excellent choice in music here... Pearl Jam!
I bet my neighbors wish I had a quiet mode. With Corsa LTH and Corsa Extreme mufflers, an average temp of 16° in the morning, parking in my garage, and leaving the house at 530am, I'm sure there are some neighbors who are less than thrilled. I do try to get out of the garage and down the road as quickly and quietly as I can. Which isn't very fast, but at least I'm moving. Speed limit is 15 in the neighborhood and I don't let the engine warm up because of the noise, so I take it SUPER easy.
Haa haha ha..... NOISEY ? You have not heard LOUD unless you have heard this thing of mine.
Ask anyone at SF21.
Measured at 126dB about 6-8 ft behind the car. Others were also tested.
...and that was my 'quiet mode', Oh, wait, that was my only mode!
There is no way I 'sneak' quietly out of the garage and 'out of the neighborhood' .
Ask anyone at SF21.
Measured at 126dB about 6-8 ft behind the car. Others were also tested.
...and that was my 'quiet mode', Oh, wait, that was my only mode!
There is no way I 'sneak' quietly out of the garage and 'out of the neighborhood' .
Are you cammed? I would be interested to see if youre louder. You might be, I dont know. We will see soon enough
It was determined to be the loudest at Shelbyfest !
As I said, measured with a Decibel Meter at 126dB, It is beyond loud.
NOTE:
how loud is 126 db - Bing
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