Huge difference in performance

[Mr Big]

I was having issues with my Expedition where it was shifting weird and even sometimes slipping when accelerating from 45mph and above.
I was constantly using Forscan and resetting the TCM learning process. The vehicle would run fine with no issues for a month or 2, then go back to the sluggish shifting, lower performance and sliding into gears.
I read about disabling the TCM learn feature, and how it stops the driving habit learning procedure. I usually drive in town and never take off fast or drive aggressively. So, the learning process was probably ending up in a sluggish format. After disabling the learn mode, my Ex has way better low-end torque, shifts much faster and tighter and downshifts instantly when rapid acceleration is needed. It feels like I installed a chip or had custom tuning done. I have to be careful about how hard I step on the gas pedal, because it is more aggressive. For me it is a performance changer.
As always, when using Forscan, backup your vehicle before making any changes and use at your own risk.
With that said, I have made many modifications using Forscan with 100% success.

 

[LokiWolf]

TCM Learn will have ZERO effect on power. ZERO. It will definitely change the behavior of the Transmission, and could allow lower gears to be held, and TC lockup to behave differently. TCM Learn can be a REAL PIA there is no doubt. Most of the time if I have issues, a simple reflash when I was tuned, or triggering a relearn with FORSCAN fixed the issue.

If you drive non aggressively, the trans learns that. So it was doing exactly what it was supposed to do.

Also, your data set is flawed. You yourself said, that it would take a month or 2 before it would behave badly. Hopefully this "fix" stays after an extended time. That being said, have you checked your trans fluid? How many miles? Clutch slipping, while it leads to smoother shifts, is also hard on a trans.

 

[Mr Big]

TCM Learn will have ZERO effect on power. ZERO. It will definitely change the behavior of the Transmission, and could allow lower gears to be held, and TC lockup to behave differently. TCM Learn can be a REAL PIA there is no doubt. Most of the time if I have issues, a simple reflash when I was tuned, or triggering a relearn with FORSCAN fixed the issue.

If you drive non aggressively, the trans learns that. So it was doing exactly what it was supposed to do.

Also, your data set is flawed. You yourself said, that it would take a month or 2 before it would behave badly. Hopefully this "fix" stays after an extended time. That being said, have you checked your trans fluid? How many miles? Clutch slipping, while it leads to smoother shifts, is also hard on a trans.

I agree it has zero effect on power, but because of the shift points being more accurate and pressures being set to factory settings, the vehicle performs way better, low end torque is more aggressive, and yes it holds the gears longer, instead of shifting too soon.
I know the way it works and it does learn my pattern, however, since my driving habits are non-aggressive and laid back it causes it to go into a very sluggish pattern, sliding into gears instead of tighter shifting.
My data set is not flawed, as I had Ford diagnose my issues, when I got the EX. They said it is normal based on my driving habits. Also, adaptive learning takes approximately 100 to close to 1000 miles to finish. I don't drive it that much, so it takes me a month to use 100 miles. And I mostly use my EV around town.
Tranny fluid is fine, just dealer serviced and multi-point check, when brought in for recalls last week.
I'm leaving it set to "learn disabled" mainly because of the clutch and band slippage.
I do urge everyone that has the Powertrain Control Module Reprogramming notice to follow through. Not only has it helped my shifting, but, yesterday on a highway road trip during 90-degree weather, my tranny temp stayed around 185 degrees compared to the normal 195 to 205 temps last week.

 

[JasonH]

Could the poor shifting be related to the CDF drum issue?

 

[DieselMonk]

TCM Learn will have ZERO effect on power. ZERO. It will definitely change the behavior of the Transmission, and could allow lower gears to be held, and TC lockup to behave differently. TCM Learn can be a REAL PIA there is no doubt. Most of the time if I have issues, a simple reflash when I was tuned, or triggering a relearn with FORSCAN fixed the issue.

If you drive non aggressively, the trans learns that. So it was doing exactly what it was supposed to do.

Also, your data set is flawed. You yourself said, that it would take a month or 2 before it would behave badly. Hopefully this "fix" stays after an extended time. That being said, have you checked your trans fluid? How many miles? Clutch slipping, while it leads to smoother shifts, is also hard on a trans.

I find there is a big difference between the 2018 and the 2024 10 speed transmission. Where the old one had the silp and slide program after a few months, the new one does not do that. The 3-5 shift is totally gone and very rarely does the 1-3 shift. Even after months of driving the shifts are still crisp on the 24. It also shifts faster than the old one ever did. Just my observation…

 

[LokiWolf]

I find there is a big difference between the 2018 and the 2024 10 speed transmission. Where the old one had the silp and slide program after a few months, the new one does not do that. The 3-5 shift is totally gone and very rarely does the 1-3 shift. Even after months of driving the shifts are still crisp on the 24. It also shifts faster than the old one ever did. Just my observation…

Programming differences are significant, and they have also done small design changes internally. Regardless of what most think, this Transmission is pretty impressive, and when it is programmed correctly, it is ON Point.

My 2020 was OK with factory programming, but with ZFG programming it stumbled FAR less. Everynow and then it would do the weird clunk D to R or R to D, and a weird 4-3 downshift clunk when cold sometimes. Bottom line, coding makes a SIGNIFICANT difference on these. Ford has done some work to improve that.

Yes they have had issues, like the CDF and some solenoids, but generally based on the massive number of these in service, they are doing well.