Ford Motor Co. said Wednesday it plans to double the number of six-speed automatic transmissions in its models by the end of next year, increasing fuel efficiency to the point where it's equal to or better than manual gearboxes.
The company also said that 98 percent of its North American transmissions will be six speeds by the end of 2012 as it moves to meet increasing government fuel economy standards.
The computer-controlled transmissions, built at a revamped factory in Sterling Heights, give drivers a 4 percent to 6 percent gas mileage boost compared with the four- and five-speed models now in widespread use in Ford's front-wheel-drive vehicles.
Because the computer calculates when to shift gears so the engine runs at peak efficiency, they can rival the mileage of lighter manual gearboxes, said Ram Krisnaswami, a Ford powertrain engineering manager.
The new transmissions allow the car to achieve higher speeds with fewer engine revolutions per minute, making it more efficient, Ford said.
The Dearborn-based automaker says its 6F35 six-speed transmissions will debut in the 2009-model Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner crossover vehicles, which now have four-speed automatic transmissions.
The new transmissions will also be low-maintenance, with no need to replace the fluid in the gearboxes for the life of the vehicle, Ford said.
"They also deliver improved acceleration and smoother shifting, all at a great value for consumers," she said in a statement.
Ford said it plans to sell 1.4 million six-speed vehicles in North America by the end of next year. In addition to the 6F35 transmissions, Ford also makes another six-speed transmission that was jointly developed with General Motors Corp.
Ford said it invested $658 million in Sterling Heights and at factories in Livonia and Sharonville, Ohio, to make the transmissions.
Krisnaswami said six speeds are very efficient and cost effective, and automakers have to weigh efficiency gains against added costs, weight and shifting that come with more gears.
Probably not. Too small. The "35" has to do with the torque rating, and that's too small for an F150. They will have a higher rated unit for the truck and Exp, and another even larger for the Superduty. All just speculation by me.
What I'm wondering is how they will arrange the 6 speeds. If it's just a double overdrive, it's not much good except for high speed cruising with light loads. But I'm guessing that's what it will be.
What I'm wondering is how they will arrange the 6 speeds. If it's just a double overdrive, it's not much good except for high speed cruising with light loads. But I'm guessing that's what it will be.
Bill
The 6R trannies have some of the best gear spacing in the business They don't even have a 1:1 gear to keep the gears more enly spaced.
Yep, if that info is correct, it's a double overdrive. I really don't need a lower RPM at 75mph.
Bill
It will use less gas. This will also allow ford to use bigger geared rearends, like 3.73:1 or 4.10:1 to let cars still have good mileage, but plenty of acceleration and such.
Anyone else also think its kinda crappy that once again ford is not letting you change the fluid in the transmission easily? I don't see how they expect ATF to last 200-250k.
__________________
- Ian
1987 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4 2.9
Needs a lot of work, including some rot on the body, but shes getting there.
.69 as opposed to the .7 final ratio found in f150s now? i dont think that will make to much difference and why wouldnt you want lower rpms on the highway?
That info is correct, and you will be hard pressed to find a trans with a 0.87:1 overdrive anywhere.
Okay, .88 vs 1.00. I don't call that a big deal. But what I do find remarkable is that low 1st gear. I could have really used that on my previous truck to get a load started on a grade. Now that I look at those numbers again, with that low gear in mind, that does sound really good.
Do you know which vehicle will use those ratios? Is that just for the F150 class? Or do you expect that strategy to be used in the Superduty series?
I have the 6 speed in my expedition (08) and it's a great trans, the key that ford is missing the boat on compaired to GM's 6 speed is the ability to shift each gear on the stalk and having a tow haul mode. Another interesting point is that the trans is only rated at 15K lbs GCVW. I've towed well over 10K lbs w/ my expy and haven't had any temp related problems. That weight rating won't help for set the towing standard that they are claiming to have on the new units.
i think they up graded it a little, but im not so sure top towing and payloads have increased, i think most of the increases will be in the screw style
All internal components of the smooth-shifting 6-speed have been upgraded to handle higher torque capacities; these include more robust clutch packs, bigger pump and bigger output shaft. The transmission’s hydraulic system also was beefed up to enable improved idle speeds and improved converter clutch duty cycles.
I 've got news for you, my computer controlled 6 speed transmission on my 07 Ford Expedition sucks ass. Half the time the computer doesnt know what gear to pick and jolts you around. Mr. Ram Krisnaswami, a Ford powertrain engineering manager ought to come down to Texas and drive this crappy 6 speed transmission before he makes the kind of statements he is making. Sure if everything performed correctly it would work, I am just hoping the new F150 doesnt get the expeditions 6 speed transmission or the next vehicle i purchase may just have to be something other than ford.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ArtsBest
Is this the transmission in the new 09' F-150?
Because the computer calculates when to shift gears so the engine runs at peak efficiency, they can rival the mileage of lighter manual gearboxes, said Ram Krisnaswami, a Ford powertrain engineering manager.
The new transmissions allow the car to achieve higher speeds with fewer engine revolutions per minute, making it more efficient, Ford said.
The Dearborn-based automaker says its 6F35 six-speed transmissions will debut in the 2009-model Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner crossover vehicles, which now have four-speed automatic transmissions.
The new transmissions will also be low-maintenance, with no need to replace the fluid in the gearboxes for the life of the vehicle, Ford said.
"They also deliver improved acceleration and smoother shifting, all at a great value for consumers," she said in a statement.
Ford said it plans to sell 1.4 million six-speed vehicles in North America by the end of next year. In addition to the 6F35 transmissions, Ford also makes another six-speed transmission that was jointly developed with General Motors Corp.
Ford said it invested $658 million in Sterling Heights and at factories in Livonia and Sharonville, Ohio, to make the transmissions.
Krisnaswami said six speeds are very efficient and cost effective, and automakers have to weigh efficiency gains against added costs, weight and shifting that come with more gears.
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