Transmission - What Is "Normal"?

[Jerome10]

I've been reading as much as I can trying to gather what is truly normal behavior on these transmissions and what isn't. Feels like it is all over the map. Without driving other F150s with this transmission its difficult to know if you have a "problem" or not.

Few questions for you all (and I do wonder at times if Powerboost is part of what is going on or not...)
1) Do you get lurching while accelerating or during braking? In my truck, if I press the accelerator pedal for desired rate of acceleration, often the truck will "surge" a bit as it moves through the gears. Other cars I've had will just gently shift gears and sorta glide into higher gears, but the acceleration rate stays constant. This truck I often just feel sorta a lunge/lurch/push.

1a) Other times the truck will be pretty smooth but kinda drop hard into the next gear. No surging but almost like a DSG VW kinda falling into the next gear. Clunk/thud? Or if I ease up on the accelerator it will suddenly drop into a higher gear.

2) When I brake moderately to hard the truck really lurches/surges again as it moves down. I get a 6-5 downshift clunk/lurch almost every time even just gradual slowing. Just coasting down to 23-24mph it will do this 6-5 downshift and lurch. But other times harder braking it seems to skip shift from 6-4 or maybe 5-3 and it doesn't feel like the gears are synchronized well as I come to as stop. Again other cars just seem to smoothly move down the gear range. Often clunks and lunges. Its a bit embarrassing if you have to brake harder as it again feels like the transmission is pulling/pushing while slowing down. The braking is not smooth.

3) I've heard about low transmission fluid fills from the factory. What is the most common symptom of low fluid levels?

I suspect my transmission is "normal" but its one of those things where I feel like I notice it CONSTANTLY. I've never had a car where the transmission is constantly making sure I am aware of its function. I'm not getting bad clunking or leaving skid marks on the road or anything like that. But whether up or down, every other car I've ever had is a nice hmmmmm, slide to next gear smoothly, hmmmmm and up we go. Braking is just the opposite. And this transmissionit surges a bit, or drops into the next gear up or down.

Will eventually take it in but I guess I'm trying to understand what everyone else's trucks drive like. I don't recall any trip-ups on a couple test drives before buying the truck, and I know I'm sensitive to this stuff, but like I said other transmissions from a plethora of automakers their transmissions I eventually forget they're even there. And this one I'm just always feeling a clunk or lurch or some sort. Always waiting for it to drop from 6 to 5 and feel it in the seat of my pants etc.

Typical experience?

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[UGADawg96]

Get the fluid level checked and the software updated/tables cleared/relearned, etc.

 

[fordtruckman2003]

You've had several posts about transmission in the past. Have you ever taken it in to get looked at?

I agree with the above it could just need software update. After update shifting sucks as it relearns but does seem to learn better if driven in sport mode for couple weeks. Don't have to drive different than normal but that forces it to shift through every gear.

 

[WhiteLightningnshitshadow]

What year? Updates are generally automatic, so I wouldnt much worry about that. Try leaving the battery disconnected overnight to reset shift tables.

My truck has pretty much the same problem and is getting evaluated now. I didnt hardly have to say the full list of what makes me feel like something is off before the master tech said CDF and seals.

 

[Highway 11]

There's probably a TSB out for it. I have a '23 and it recently got a new software update and a break-in cycle on the clutches. All smooth sailing from there.

 

[theonly_ern]

2023 Powerboost here: I fee like I have to same exact situation as you do. Only has 5k miles on it so I'm not sure if it's still learning, but it is getting rather annoying. Especially when breaking, and when taking off from 0mph. I traded in my Ram because of it's transmission issues for this, and I hate the fact that I am constantly aware of how this things shifts. I've not checked with the dealership to see about a PCM update yet, but I guess I need to.

 

[franksfords]

Bought my 23 April1. shifting is good most of time. I've only put 1700 miles on it so it's maybe it's still "learning". Every now and then it will feel a bit odd but that's an exception. I drive a 2020 at work it's smooth but the first few thousand miles it acted somewhat the same. Has 85K on it now.

 

[JBMCEQY]

'23 5.0 and mine is the exact same. I feel almost every downshift from 6-5 and 5-4, as well as when it skips gears downshifting. It feels like a fairly hard shove in the back usually. And upshifts are never what I would call smooth. I've been into the dealership twice so far and been turned away both times. The last time they told me that rough shifting is just a characteristic of the 10R80. I even tried to get Ford customer service involved and they too told me to f*$# off. This transmission has left me with a very poor impression of Ford to say the least.

 

[Scoobtay]

I get lurching sometimes on braking in 2nd or 1st (sport mode). Otherwise, I get a kick in the back if heavy on throttle at takeoff when in EV mode and the EB kicks in.

I think that Powerboosts especially should be driven in sports mode until temps are up, then switch to normal mode. Seems to smooth out my rough shifts when cold

 

[gagliano7]

I have a 5.0 and sometimes you would fell the downshifts fairly harsh. But after the last update my trans is smooth as silk.

 

[Polo08816]

I have a 5.0 and sometimes you would fell the downshifts fairly harsh. But after the last update my trans is smooth as silk.

I'm thinking outside of the CDF issue, the remaining issues should be a transmission tune issue. It should not be hard for Ford to revise/fix/improve in subsequent model years. Someone that's more knowledgeable could weigh in, but would it be an issue for Ford to make substantial updates to the transmission behavior inside a MY if it potentially impacts fuel economy?

Also, I would expect the 5.0 Coyote to be easier for Ford to tune the transmission for a smoother experience than the 3.5EB.

 

[Jerome10]

OP here. Appreciate all the replies. They all sound familiar.

I finally took the truck in. The tech agreed with the lurch on the 6->5 downshift. There was a software update. Update installed and he said he did not find the 6->5 downshift issue.

He may have been correct. It seemed better for the first week or so. But I suspect the truck has now relearned my driving and the 6->5 is back, as is the dropping into 4th and 5th.

Had asked they check the fluid level but they didn’t. At least it isn’t on my work order. I guess I’ll be tackling this myself if I can avoid burning my arm.

All in all it is OK. I keep feeling like there is nothing “wrong” functionally. It just keeps making its presence known unlike any other car I’ve owned. I’m overall very happy with the truck otherwise. Will probably just keep monitoring. Got a 60k power train warranty right? I also like to stay on top of fluid flushes and plan on it at 30k with filter replacement. So we’ll get an idea how things look when that comes around.

 

[Jerome10]

The other thing I forgot to add was after this software update the trans is very smooth when cold. I’d say basically perfect.

warmed up it is better now but the lurches and such are still there.

 

[dochawk]

Does it keep track of which remote started (Cadillac does), with a separate table for each?

if not, I'm worried about the radically different driving styles of my wife and I . . .

 

[theonly_ern]

I've got 9,000 miles on my PB and it just isn't comfortable driving. I notice a lot of the downshift, and in the lower gears I get some surging/lurching, especially going from 1st-3rd. Only a couple of times has it hard shifted, it mainly just feels like it's not sure when to shift.
I dropped it off at the dealership yesterday, and they just called and said they aren't really able duplicate the issue, that they are going to try again but if nothing, they'll just be in touch with me to see if I have any issue later on. I honestly hate driving the truck. Anyone else had this and had any good way to get the dealership do anything? I get it if they can't duplicate it, but I don't see how they can't tell it shifts like crap.

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