Drive 3
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Joined: Dec 2010
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Drive 3
Okay, might be a silly thing but I'm not a gearhead and don't really know. I have a 2010 Lariat with the 5.4 in it and I have the center console shifter in between the seats. On this console, there are gear selections ranging from Drive to Drive 1. I ordinarily use only Drive but on occasion, I drop it into Drive 3 for take off. Is that a bad idea? Here is what happens. I put into Drive 3 at a light or stop sign and as I accelerate, it seems as though the clutch is slipping or something like that is happening. Basically, as I hit the gas, it seems as though the engine speed is increasing but the truck isn't moving very quickly which makes me think something is wrong or slipping. It's like its not catching on or grabbing like it should. Not sure if I should even be using Drive 3 in this case but it still seems odd to me. Any ideas or advice? Thnx
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Allen, Tx
I don't know about the 6R80E but on the 4R75E and 4R70W, when you select "2", ( PRND21) the transmission is ONLY using 2nd gear. It does not use 1,3 and 4. So when I am stopped and I select "2", it does feel like the transmission is slipping and the takeoff is very slow. According to the service department, this is the way Ford transmissions are made to operate.
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2010
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From: South Carolina
The only time you should ever need to start out in 2nd or 3rd gear is if you are starting out on ice or slick snow.It drastically cuts your power to prevent spinning.I don't think it is wise to do this unless you have to.If you did that with a standard transmission a lot what will happen?Right, a burned out clutch.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Dayton, TX
yeah, its not like the older chevy truck where you had 1,2,D,and overdrive. Drive nowadays means drive/overdrive, 3 is 3rd and so on. that is why we have tow/haul buttons to disable overdrive.
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From: NC
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2010
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From: South Carolina
Just a comment. I think Ford has the only transmissions that if you put it in 2nd or 3rd it will start out in that gear.GM,Toyota,Dodge I think start out in 1st but will only go up to the gear you put it in.Correct me if I am wrong.
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2010
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my 06 silverado had 1st and 2nd gear start, and putting it in third simply kept the trans from shifting into 4th, up to a certain rpm at least.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Dayton, TX
Your right, my mistake. I dont know why I said that. I just changes the shift points, and firmness and holds the gear longer. I have used it a few times on heavy loads, and up in the arkansas mountains.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,821
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From: South Dakota
3-2-1 is also meant for times when you don't want the tranny to shift and want to use the HP of the motor....i.e. pulling stumps, mud, deep snow etc.
I've learned that 2nd or 3rd is friggin awesome with the locker kicked in. Just low enough to keep from bumping up on the 25mph trigger, but a whole lotta power to go through the wicked deep stuff.
A few weekends ago I was marching right through bumper deep plus heavy snow in 4x4, rear locked and in 2nd or 3rd.
I've learned that 2nd or 3rd is friggin awesome with the locker kicked in. Just low enough to keep from bumping up on the 25mph trigger, but a whole lotta power to go through the wicked deep stuff.
A few weekends ago I was marching right through bumper deep plus heavy snow in 4x4, rear locked and in 2nd or 3rd.
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From: NC
Electronic locking differential (ELD) axle (if equipped)
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2010
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Download a manual at http://www.motorcraftservice.com and search the pdf for:
Electronic locking differential (ELD) axle (if equipped)
Electronic locking differential (ELD) axle (if equipped)
The 2011 Super Duty elocker will automatically disengage on tight radius turns, but this is a different elocker than that used in the F150 (GKN) -- the Super Duty locker is "similar" to the F150 GKN, but "similar" does not mean "equivalent".
The GKN website is practically worthless -- they don't provide much information. I suspect the F150 GKN elocker would automatically disengage on a tight radius turn, but I have nothing concrete to back to that up, and I don't want to experiment on something that could potentially cause damage.
For the Super Duty:
One of the best options in the 2011 Super Duty is the addition the electronic locking rear differential for the first time that's similar to the GKN-supplied e-locker ...
The e-locker has been designed by Ford and is manufactured at the Sterling Axle plant for single-rear-wheel F-Series Super Duty trucks only.
... The truck will also disengage the locker if it's making a tight radius turn by sensing the steering wheel position, so the rear wheels and tires aren't damaged from scrubbing on pavement.