Poor shifting - 2018 Expedition 4x4 Max Platinum

[meier3283]

Hey guys, I've scoured the forums, and haven't found anyone complaining about the same poor experience that I've had with the new 10 speed transmission.

I'll try to keep it brief, and my goal is to simply find out if anyone has a similar experience.

Basically, I find that it shifts seemingly too early, making it to 5th-6th gear by around 30-35mph. Obviously this is all going to be subjective, and based on how much gas you are giving it at any given time. For me, I'm driving in the city, not getting on it at all, in normal mode most often.

When it shifts, it seems to lock up very abruptly, which in a sports car, is awesome, but when this truck does it, it seems to shudder when it shifts around 2-5th gear, often 3rd. Often times, if I do give it some more gas, it skips gears, which I don't care for much, though I'm sure it's on purpose. So much for having 10 gears and keeping it in the sweet spot for torque/HP. (if you get on it much, it goes from 1st to 3rd to 5th)

Other times, when I'm cruising along, and decide to pass someone, or just get on it a bit, it doesn't seem to know what gear to go into, and stumbles around a fair bit, before getting into the proper gear. This I haven't tested all that much.

Generally speaking, the transmission makes the truck feel clunky and not powerful. Feels like the tranny drives the engine, rather than the other way around. Usually keeping a much lower gear for the speed, than I would expect.

It all feels like it was built around fuel economy, which I don't care that much about, else I'd buy a focus.

I'm sure some of this has to do with turbo lag, and when it creates its torque.

All in all, I hope Ford is working on a new program for the transmission, to help address the weak feel that is currently has.

Let me know if you guys have seen anything similar to this, I'm curious if I have a bum Expy. (No, it's not the leaking front valve related to 4 wheel drive)

Thanks guys, great forum when everyone is trying to be courteous

 

[Blackscreen67]

Hey guys, I've scoured the forums, and haven't found anyone complaining about the same poor experience that I've had with the new 10 speed transmission.

I'll try to keep it brief, and my goal is to simply find out if anyone has a similar experience.

Basically, I find that it shifts seemingly too early, making it to 5th-6th gear by around 30-35mph. Obviously this is all going to be subjective, and based on how much gas you are giving it at any given time. For me, I'm driving in the city, not getting on it at all, in normal mode most often.

When it shifts, it seems to lock up very abruptly, which in a sports car, is awesome, but when this truck does it, it seems to shudder when it shifts around 2-5th gear, often 3rd. Often times, if I do give it some more gas, it skips gears, which I don't care for much, though I'm sure it's on purpose. So much for having 10 gears and keeping it in the sweet spot for torque/HP. (if you get on it much, it goes from 1st to 3rd to 5th)

Other times, when I'm cruising along, and decide to pass someone, or just get on it a bit, it doesn't seem to know what gear to go into, and stumbles around a fair bit, before getting into the proper gear. This I haven't tested all that much.

Generally speaking, the transmission makes the truck feel clunky and not powerful. Feels like the tranny drives the engine, rather than the other way around. Usually keeping a much lower gear for the speed, than I would expect.

It all feels like it was built around fuel economy, which I don't care that much about, else I'd buy a focus.

I'm sure some of this has to do with turbo lag, and when it creates its torque.

All in all, I hope Ford is working on a new program for the transmission, to help address the weak feel that is currently has.

Let me know if you guys have seen anything similar to this, I'm curious if I have a bum Expy. (No, it's not the leaking front valve related to 4 wheel drive)

Thanks guys, great forum when everyone is trying to be courteous

How many miles are on it?

 

[Mike Wolfe]

Good afternoon
Since the transmission has adaptive memory it may improve overtime
How many miles do you have on your vehicle?
I personally always recalibrate my eco boost engines & transmissions
My 2018 EXPY has been recalibrated with 5 Star software which covers the engine & the transmission
Now the trans does not skip shift & shifting is much improved

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

Good afternoon
Since the transmission has adaptive memory it may improve overtime
How many miles do you have on your vehicle?
I personally always recalibrate my eco boost engines & transmissions
My 2018 EXPY has been recalibrated with 5 Star software which covers the engine & the transmission
Now the trans does not skip shift & shifting is much improved

Doesn’t that void your power train warranty?

 

[meier3283]

I have just a bit over 4000 miles on it. I've tried to give it some time, and I have to wonder if I've "taught" it poorly... What I mean is, since it was brand new, I was super paranoid to break it in really gently. (I know of all the debates around that ) And, I can't help but feel that maybe the tranny learned a pattern, that isn't really consistent with how I really drive. (And my wife especially has a heavy foot) It probably doesn't work that way, but while it's currently in the shop for other things, I'm going to ask they flash the PCM and anything else that can be reset/updated, and see how it behaves when we aren't taking it as easy on it.

The service guy up at Ford, did say they are aware of the "poor" shifting, and are looking into it.... Whatever that's worth.

- David

 

[meier3283]

Mike, the reprogram, is that their ~679 $ program package?

 

[Blackscreen67]

I have just a bit over 4000 miles on it. I've tried to give it some time, and I have to wonder if I've "taught" it poorly... What I mean is, since it was brand new, I was super paranoid to break it in really gently. (I know of all the debates around that ) And, I can't help but feel that maybe the tranny learned a pattern, that isn't really consistent with how I really drive. (And my wife especially has a heavy foot) It probably doesn't work that way, but while it's currently in the shop for other things, I'm going to ask they flash the PCM and anything else that can be reset/updated, and see how it behaves when we aren't taking it as easy on it.

The service guy up at Ford, did say they are aware of the "poor" shifting, and are looking into it.... Whatever that's worth.

- David

It ain't worth $hit lol.

It's the nature of adaptive learning TCMs. They're terrible for reliable power delivery. They're always reducing and increasing clutch application pressures attempting to better each shift from the last.

Best bet first is disconnect your batteries for 30min-1hr. This will clear the stored TCM learned values. Then most TCMs learn over the course of 250-500miles.

Ask your dealer also if they can perform a quicklearn sequence.

Is it just you that drives it?

 

[meier3283]

Thanks Blacksreen67, I tend to agree. I mean, I'm a techie, but sometimes we make things too complicated. Anyway, I don't think it's impossible to fix, with a good program, some day

It's both me and my wife, mostly her. We both drive aggressive, leaning more to her

 

[Blackscreen67]

Thanks Blacksreen67, I tend to agree. I mean, I'm a techie, but sometimes we make things too complicated. Anyway, I don't think it's impossible to fix, with a good program, some day

It's both me and my wife, mostly her. We both drive aggressive, leaning more to her

I recommend always driving in sport mode. This gives you the besst possible shift schedule, also will keep the transmission healthier over time.

 

[meier3283]

I generally agree, but I wish there was something between Normal and Sport. Meaning, I don't need the aggressive engine braking on downshifts, but do enjoy the sport mode upshifts.

In the end, if Ford doesn't make the tranny feel better, the 5 Star reprogram looks like it "should" fix most of my complaint. Just hate to drop $500 bucks for something Ford should have done right

 

[Blackscreen67]

I generally agree, but I wish there was something between Normal and Sport. Meaning, I don't need the aggressive engine braking on downshifts, but do enjoy the sport mode upshifts.

In the end, if Ford doesn't make the tranny feel better, the 5 Star reprogram looks like it "should" fix most of my complaint. Just hate to drop $500 bucks for something Ford should have done right

Yeah I hate the 10 speeds down shifting behavior, especially the way it kicks down to 1st when coming to a stop. It's almost to the point it throws you forward.

 

[aggiegrad05]

Yeah I hate the 10 speeds down shifting behavior, especially the way it kicks down to 1st when coming to a stop. It's almost to the point it throws you forward.

Only in sport mode. The downshifts are unnoticeable in any other mode.

 

[meier3283]

Better, yes, but not unnoticeable in mine. That's a part of my complaint, but it's not the worse thing going on. Either way, a reprogram from someone, will likely solve all the big items for me. This is just teething pains for new products, it's a great truck otherwise.

 

[meier3283]

Thanks for everyone's input and comments, so far this is a great forum, and I intend to use it frequently

 

[Mike Wolfe]

Doesn’t that void your power train warranty?

Depends on the dealer I guess

 

[Family Truckster]

We have had the shame downshifting problems with our 2018 Limited Max 4x4. We took it into the dealer and they couldn't find anything. Beginning to think it's just the way the transmission is made. Our problems happen under speeds of 30 mph. We even get loud clunky sounds when downshifting in the lower gears.

 

[proeasy]

I have two brand "Z" 8 speeds in addition to my Expy 10 Speed. No complaints on the Ford at all. Trucks will be calibrated with a bit sharper shifts (to increase life of the clutches over time at the expense some times of comfort) The "Clunk" is almost always never the transmission, rather a small amount of freeplay in the long driveline (T-Case, Drive Shaft and then rear axle) of these trucks. .

 

[star-art]

Thanks for everyone's input and comments, so far this is a great forum, and I intend to use it frequently

I can report almost the exact same experience as you on our 2018 "Shorty" Platinum. The transmission feels awkward and a bit "clunky" in the way it shifts. It goes into too high a gear too quickly even while under load. Also, it's very noticeable when the torque convertor clutch locks up, and it does it way too soon (like even when going up a steep hill at only 20 mph). Other vehicles I've had would wait a bit longer to lock up the TCC and also delay lock-up when under load.

We also have a 2017 and when I first started driving it I was complaining about the way the engine was lugging climbing up our hill. Activating "Tow/Haul" mode fixed this problem completely and it now shifts perfectly the entire way. But, doing the same thing on our '18 makes almost no difference! It still up-shifts into a higher gear too soon, lugs the engine when the TCC locks, and then it doesn't want to downshift when it should.

 

[JohnT]

Given its prodigious torque at low revs, due to the twin turbo, is this a case of assuming the engine is lugging because a N/A would be at that speed/revs but in fact the engine is happy pulling at those types of low revs?

As for the down shifts I have to say unless I am in sport mode the transmission is buttery smooth for me, 9 times out of 10 unless I was watching the display I wouldn't be able to tell. And I say this as someone who spent most of his driving life drive manuals, I am usually acutely aware of my gears and engine speed.

Edit 10,000 km on mine now so maybe a breakin factor? but to be honest I was happy with it from day 1

 

[star-art]

When the TCC locks up under load going up a steep hill, the engine RPM drops and it almost feels like it's heading toward a stall. This is what I mean by "lugging" though I'm by no means an expert in engine/performance terminology so hopefully I'm using the right term. The engine does seem OK if I keep going like that, but I would feel more comfortable if the transmission were to downshift at that point and increase RPMs.

Now, I say the TCC is locking up because it almost feels like an up-shift but the display shows the same gear. This is why I am assuming that what I am feeling is a lock-up of the converter clutch.

BTW, in the exact same spot on the exact same (steep) hill, our '17 stays in 2nd the entire time and performs flawlessly (at least in Tow/Haul mode). The '18 runs it in 3rd but "lugs" at a certain point on the hill every single time due to the TCC locking up.