2015 Select Shift Transmission Question

[Bigfishfin]

Hello again crew...I have searched high and low, with no success, for info on a seemingly "intuitive" nature of this transmission. My story: I live 10 miles up a canyon with a 10-15% grade. When traveling downhill (45-55 mph, no trailer or load), with me periodically braking to lower speed (3rd gear manual), the unit will then hold speed on its own. I do not know how to intentionally set this up, just seems to "happen magically". I don't know if the unit is automatically braking or this is engine braking (RPM's fluctuate) or a combination...I have read posts calling this "grade assist", but can find nothing informative on the web, or in this forum...Any thoughts, is this the secrete of the century? Thanks in advance!

PS: My wife's new Edge does this too, can't find anything in the manual...

 

[gixer2000]

Pretty sure it's called hill descent control. But I know Nothing about it

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

USING HILL DESCENT CONTROL

Principle of Operation

WARNINGS
Hill descent control cannot control
descent in all surface conditions and
circumstances, such as ice or
extremely steep grades. Hill descent
control is a driver assist system and cannot
substitute for good judgment by the driver.
Failure to do so may result in loss of vehicle
control, crash or serious injury.
Hill descent control does not provide
hill hold at 0 mph (0 km/h). When
stopped, the parking brake must be
applied or the vehicle must be placed in
park (P) or it may roll away.
Hill descent control allows the driver to set
and maintain vehicle speed while
descending steep grades in various surface
conditions.

Hill descent control can maintain vehicle
speeds on downhill grades between 3 mph
(5 km/h) and 20 mph (32 km/h). Above
20 mph (32 km/h), the system remains
armed, but descent speed cannot be set
or maintained.

Hill descent control requires a cooling
down interval after sustained use. The
amount of time that the feature can
remain active before cooling varies with
conditions. The system provides a warning
in the message center and a chime sounds
when the system is about to disengage for
cooling. At this time, manually apply the
brakes to maintain descent speed.

Using Hill Descent Control

Press and release the hill
descent button in the center of
the terrain management control.

The button illuminates and a chime sounds
when you switch this feature on.
To increase descent speed, press the
accelerator pedal until you reach the
desired speed. To decrease descent
speed, press the brake pedal until you
reach the desired speed.

Whether accelerating or decelerating, once
you reach the desired descent speed,
remove your feet from the pedals and hill
descent control maintains the chosen
vehicle speed.

Note: You may observe noise from the ABS
pump motor during hill descent control
operation. This is a normal characteristic of
the ABS and should be no reason for
concern.

 

[Bigfishfin]

USING HILL DESCENT CONTROL

Principle of Operation

WARNINGS
Hill descent control cannot control
descent in all surface conditions and
circumstances, such as ice or
extremely steep grades. Hill descent
control is a driver assist system and cannot
substitute for good judgment by the driver.
Failure to do so may result in loss of vehicle
control, crash or serious injury.
Hill descent control does not provide
hill hold at 0 mph (0 km/h). When
stopped, the parking brake must be
applied or the vehicle must be placed in
park (P) or it may roll away.
Hill descent control allows the driver to set
and maintain vehicle speed while
descending steep grades in various surface
conditions.

Hill descent control can maintain vehicle
speeds on downhill grades between 3 mph
(5 km/h) and 20 mph (32 km/h). Above
20 mph (32 km/h), the system remains
armed, but descent speed cannot be set
or maintained.

Hill descent control requires a cooling
down interval after sustained use. The
amount of time that the feature can
remain active before cooling varies with
conditions. The system provides a warning
in the message center and a chime sounds
when the system is about to disengage for
cooling. At this time, manually apply the
brakes to maintain descent speed.

Using Hill Descent Control

Press and release the hill
descent button in the center of
the terrain management control.

The button illuminates and a chime sounds
when you switch this feature on.
To increase descent speed, press the
accelerator pedal until you reach the
desired speed. To decrease descent
speed, press the brake pedal until you
reach the desired speed.

Whether accelerating or decelerating, once
you reach the desired descent speed,
remove your feet from the pedals and hill
descent control maintains the chosen
vehicle speed.

Note: You may observe noise from the ABS
pump motor during hill descent control
operation. This is a normal characteristic of
the ABS and should be no reason for
concern.

Pretty sure it's called hill descent control. But I know Nothing about it

As noted, this happens at high speeds...I am aware of Hill Descent Control, and this is not that...

 

[chuck s]

I noted my '17 will downshift on descents when in cruise control. Seems seamless and the gear selection indicator in the instrument panel is the major clue. Haven't played with it otherwise and it may function similarly in normal driving. I've not deliberately activated hill descent but it may be functioning.

-- Chuck

 

[Bigfishfin]

I noted my '17 will downshift on descents when in cruise control. Seems seamless and the gear selection indicator in the instrument panel is the major clue. Haven't played with it otherwise and it may function similarly in normal driving. I've not deliberately activated hill descent but it may be functioning.

-- Chuck

I have read posts regarding this "auto braking" with speed control, and this is not that...I don't use speed control in this case...BTW, I like the feature but my curiosity is aroused...I like to know why things work, if possible...

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

As noted, this happens at high speeds...I am aware of Hill Descent Control, and this is not that...

That was my point of posting the Hill Descent information because that is only for low speed not the speeds you mentioned.

Are you using cruise control when you are coming down the hill? If you are the computer maybe automatically selecting the gear to maintain the vehicle speed. If not it just sounds like engine breaking but if you aren't using the select shift to select a gear, that is odd.

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

I have read posts regarding this "auto braking" with speed control, and this is not that...I don't use speed control in this case...BTW, I like the feature but my curiosity is aroused...I like to know why things work, if possible...

I've not experienced that because I live in Indiana and it's essentially flat.

 

[LokiWolf]

Fords 6 Speed Trans have had this feature for years. My 250 did the exact same thing, and was great when pulling a load. Ford has historically called it "grade assist".

Our 15 passenger Church bus that I drive regularly, based on an E-350 Chassis, does it also. Even without selecting a gear if you press and hold the brake going downhill without any gas pedal application the TCM/ECM learns what you are trying to do and will use all of the Engine/Trans braking at its disposal to not exceed the speed you braked down to. Touch the gas, and it will stop doing it.

I can repeat it at will and love it.

Not sure if the 10 Speed does this also in the new applications. I would hope so.

 

[Flexpedition]

Fords 6 Speed Trans have had this feature for years. My 250 did the exact same thing, and was great when pulling a load. Ford has historically called it "grade assist".

I agree 100%. OP's use of manual mode & selecting 3rd gear is redundant and unnecessary as it will hold onto 3rd forever. Putting the lever in drive will yield the same engine/trans brake results, but will up and/or down shift as needed to deliver best possible economy. 3rd won't always be the ideal gear, especially at 45-55 MPH.