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Never mind. Although I thought that I searched for the answer I found Crazy001's answer to another thread. In M the converter stays locked up.
I had forgotten about this so at least it was a good reminder.
On another note, I find myself using manual mode often when I'm in town traffic. It maybe burns a little extra fuel running higher RPMs but it's better than the (small) lurches when you decelerate and the transmission shifts up a gear. Easier on the brakes too. Now if I could stop myself from eating out at lunch during the week I could avoid this but I can't.
One thing to add, if you shift faster through the gears than the truck will allow you can feel the torque converter slip and lock in 3rd or 4th gear, depending on the rpm and throttle input you are using.
Attempting to shift 1-2-3-4 with heavy throttle and keeping the motor under 1500 rpm's is probably the easiest way to feel it.
I have been using the "M" so much that I feel uncomfortable when it's in "D". I reached the point now where I don't even think about it anymore, just like when I used to drive a stick shift exclusively.
It would be be nice if FMC would add icons on the screen to show when TC was locked and when regen was active. Also a screen that you could customize to show the info you chose to display.
I have been using M mode around town the last few days. Undecided yet whether it makes a difference.
I think the best advantage is staying out of first gear.
Second gear through 5th is more than enough for traffic light to traffic light when we painfully put our trucks through that type of driving. Even with light throttle in 2nd, once the turbo spools the driver in front of you better have distance!
Originally Posted by bastech
It would be be nice if FMC would add icons on the screen to show when TC was locked and when regen was active. Also a screen that you could customize to show the info you chose to display.
I think a notification light would be a great idea.
The issue is, it creates too many questions Ford has to answer because not many read the manual or visit sites like this. "Oh my, a light appeared on my dash, my poor truck is broken!"
I use 2nd and haven't even tried 3rd. Sounds like a great idea.
Also agree with Kper that using M in town has a real benefit (although we can down shift in auto). I live in a large neighborhood (development is 900 acres) that has 25 MPH and 35 MPH speed limits. I take off in 2nd and upshift as soon as the RPM allows.
It just "seems" like I get better mileage because I can shift into 4th gear at (I actually don't remember exactly) 35 MPH and just idle through the neighborhood.