Anyone have any likes/dislikes regarding the 2011's Select Shift?

This is the main reason for wanting a 2011+.

Is it everything i'm hoping it is?

I'm most interested in locking out tall OD gears when towing and when in town to eliminate excessive shifting. But i can see myself picking a gear and locking it in on interstate.

Just looking for input, good and bad.

 

Your two reasons stated are exactly the reasons to want it and justify it. So I guess the next question would be how much are you going to need it?

 

Based on my annoyance factor with my 2010 work truck's propensity to jump into 6th gear at 40-45mph, and then downshift into 5th at the slightest throttle input, I forsee using it every time i drive the truck.

In my exploder, i shut overdrive off when driving in town every time. and once i hit the gravel roads i live on, i shut it off as well. For the same reasons, it jumps into OD at 40 and then downshifts back into 3rd at 35 or so ... just annoys the crap out of me.

IMHO, OD gears have no place below 45mph. The fuel economy gain is barely measurable and drivability becomes miserable, so I lock it out whenever possible at lower speeds. Also, i have a hard time believing that OD gears are good while towing, especially when it wants to downshift up every hill. But i know the 6speeds were made to shift, but it still annoys me.

Anyone else use it? Or find it useless?

 

I've got 2011 F-150 5.0L FX4 with the SS.

Overall its fine, though living in West Texas plains I rarely ever have a use for it. I think its real usefulness can only really be exploited when towing heavy loads, which is not something I ever have to do in my truck. I suppose it would be nice to lock out 6th gear around town, but honestly I have no complaints with the trucks normal shifting pattern for around town driving. So like I said, I rarely ever use SelectShift.

 

I found the select shift very useful while driving on snow packed and iced mountain roads for 150 miles last week. The ecoboost has so much snap that if it ever shifted gears on these surfaces the show would be over. Select shift is also nice when going down hill and not under cruise control. Its also helpful during engine break in if you have a long highway section to vary the RPMs but not the MPH.

 

I dont tow, but its great having the control of a manual. I can start off in second or third if necessary. I haven't driven this truck in snow yet but I'm sure this will be handy for that. I can also keep it in sixth when im just cruising on the highway.

 

I used it for the first time yesterday while pulling a float in our Veterans day parade. Once the parade started I didn't have to touch the brake hardly at all.

 

I used it while hunting in the mountains with snow. Locked them all out above 3rd. Loved it. Worked well.

 

Exactly why I wish I had it. But I'll survive in my old 09...

 

I have a 2011 SD with the selectshift. I think it's the best transmission Ford has ever built. The options for gear selection and lock-in are very useful. I tow a 13,000# 5TH Wheel. put the transmission in Tow-Haul. Start down a long downhill grade, hold your foot on the brake for 5 secondsat the speed you want and the engine brake, transmission and brake systems work together to hold it at that desired speed.

RogerV

 

Based on your criteria, You will love a SS tranny.
Mine does not shift into 6th until above 45. I also like to just push the up button while in drive to watch the shift patterns as I am still getting used to this truck.

Only gripes I have with the 6 speed is the shifts at times will be a bit harsh. Not sure why and I cant duplicate it.
One other oddity that I understand is when I drive with Cruise on through a particular hilly stretch that I frequent. The Tranny will hold 6th gear up every hill but down shift to 5th on the down hill to prevent going too much over the locked in speed. That can be a very good thing but is very different than any other cruise control I have ever had.

These Trucks are smarter than I am!!!

 

I love the ss transmission in my fx4 eco, always a gear for what ever I am doing and
the trans dosent hunt for gears, mine is a 12 modle year and I notice no harshness in the shifts at all, the only thing I kind of dislike is down shift when going down hill over set speed on cc! also shifts are good and firm when towing 7500# travel trailer.

 

Mine shifts so smoothly that I barely notice it. I do love the options that we have now, the transmission is more like a tool to assist the truck and driver than ever before.

 

the down shifting while on cruise going down hills is a change i'm actually quite glad to see. even though it doesn't really have anything to do with select shift, per se.

my 2010 at work will continually gain speed down a long hill with cruise set. the only way to slow it down is to press the brakes which kills the cruise, at which point it will downshift, then immediatly upshift when you let off the brake. if you press the brake again, it will downshift again, but it will not hold that lower gear to help hold it back (unless you are in tow/haul)

i'm sorry that you do not like that feature, but trust me, it is an improvement over the eariler models.

 

With the EB (and probably the 5.0 too) you won't see the frequent downshifts with small throttle position inputs. These engines have the umph to stay in gear under load.