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.

 

[Bigfishfin]

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.

Looks like we are getting to the issue...It is a definite "surging" action. I will try the brake/hold to see if that activates the mechanism, thanks! Interesting that this "feature" does not seem to have a name and the manufacturer is not into promotion?..If anyone has a link to more info, please do let me know...Again, thanks!

 

[Bigfishfin]

I will try the "hold the brake" and "touch the gas" to see if this system responds in kind, thanks!...Mysterious that Ford doesn't appear to have a name for this feature (not enough acronyms in the world), and doesn't advertise it, as most everything else...If anyone has a link to more info, I would appreciate knowing that...

 

[LokiWolf]

I will try the "hold the brake" and "touch the gas" to see if this system responds in kind, thanks!...Mysterious that Ford doesn't appear to have a name for this feature (not enough acronyms in the world), and doesn't advertise it, as most everything else...If anyone has a link to more info, I would appreciate knowing that...

Wenatchee? Really? My cousins are from there, my aunt still lives there. Have never visited, but would love to.

No link , just personal experience with the feature since late 2005, when I purchased my 2006 F250, and put it to work. Sold it last Summer.

 

[Bigfishfin]

Wenatchee? Really? My cousins are from there, my aunt still lives there. Have never visited, but would love to.

No link , just personal experience with the feature since late 2005, when I purchased my 2006 F250, and put it to work. Sold it last Summer.

This area is outstanding as to natural wonders...Thanks for input...

 

[Muddy Bean]

I've been driving from Texas through northern Arizona to Southern California and now up to Oregon. So I've been experimenting with the grade assist. It works of course in cruise control mode very well actually. But I also noticed if I have the "tow mode" engaged, even when I'm not using cruise control, the truck will downshift and provide just the right amount of engine braking when descending. I love it! Doesn't do it when it normal mode.


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[Barjrob1972]

I've had a few vehicles with grade assist (not hill control decent in this case) and they have always been hit-or-miss in operation. Most of the time you're supposed to just tap the brake pedal to operate it but I never trusted it as it was never consistent.

 

[Bigfishfin]

I've been driving from Texas through northern Arizona to Southern California and now up to Oregon. So I've been experimenting with the grade assist. It works of course in cruise control mode very well actually. But I also noticed if I have the "tow mode" engaged, even when I'm not using cruise control, the truck will downshift and provide just the right amount of engine braking when descending. I love it! Doesn't do it when it normal mode.


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I have been testing "tow/haul" out also..."Grade assist" works really well on my 10-15% grade, 10 mile descents into town. I am going to bring up the "current fuel consumption gauge" today, to see what the effect is on fuel mileage. The only issue is that to maintain 45-50 MPH speed, the transmission stays in 2nd and RPMs hang at about 4,500...But, if it saves on brake lining...

 

[LokiWolf]

I have been testing "tow/haul" out also..."Grade assist" works really well on my 10-15% grade, 10 mile descents into town. I am going to bring up the "current fuel consumption gauge" today, to see what the effect is on fuel mileage. The only issue is that to maintain 45-50 MPH speed, the transmission stays in 2nd and RPMs hang at about 4,500...But, if it saves on brake lining...

Fuel Consumption is ~0 when gravity is spinning the motor. Most modern engines are that way.

 

[Bigfishfin]

Fuel Consumption is ~0 when gravity is spinning the motor. Most modern engines are that way.

I have been testing "tow/haul" out also..."Grade assist" works really well on my 10-15% grade, 10 mile descents into town. I am going to bring up the "current fuel consumption gauge" today, to see what the effect is on fuel mileage. The only issue is that to maintain 45-50 MPH speed, the transmission stays in 2nd and RPMs hang at about 4,500...But, if it saves on brake lining...

An update...As noted, the "Grade Assist" works really well in "Tow/Haul". I just need very slight braking on the really steep grades to maintain 45 MPH...And the outstanding part is that I now have a 6,000 LB near Prius because the fuel mileage registered an even 30 MPG at the end of the 10 mile down grade,...Al Gore would be so proud of me?...

So, regarding how this is done...Does the ECM work with the TCM, shutting off all fuel, to maintain speed totally through engine braking, effectively turning the 3.5L into an air pump? Or is there more?

 

[Muddy Bean]

I'd love to know the answer to your question too. I registered 35mpg on one of the long descents out of Salt River Canyon in AZ. I am thoroughly impressed with how well the grade descent control works when in tow/haul mode (and in cruise control mode too for that matter) it was a pleasant surprise when I realized what the truck was doing. I am really starting to appreciate my trucks $65,000 price tag. There is some specific tech in my 2015 EL that I'm learning to love and appreciate and I must give some due kudos to the engineering team at Ford:

1. Hill grade assist/descent control does work well and I absolutely love that it attempts to maintain my set cruise control speed on a descent. I a very impressed with how well it works in tow/haul mode and I've already used this feature a lot in my recent mountain pass crossings saving my brakes/rotors, and just making the descents more pleasant by virtually eliminating the "brake on" "brake release" cycle I'd normally engage in while descending a long mountain pass.

2. 4x4 modes. Having complete control over the transfer case is an absolutely joy. My previous "full time AWD" trucks had 4wd hi and Low via a manual transfer case lever. But two wheel drive was not an option unless you physically got under the truck and removed the front driveshaft (propshaft). Several of us did just that on our Land Cruisers during the summer to save fuel, and enhance the driving experience of our trucks. We all wished we had a "2wd" mode. Here, the EL has 2wd, Awd, 4wd hi and 4wd lo modes. All at the twist of a knob. Amazing. Add to that I can actually put the transfer case in true neutral to flat tow it behind my tour bus and I'm in transfer case heaven.

3. Simple things like a separately opening glass hatch in the rear, folding side mirrors, power folding running boards, and heated rear seats....all that stuff was actually on a short list of "wants" for my next SUV. And my EL happened to have all that stuff. So far, I'm well on my way to becoming a Ford fan.


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