Is this normal - auto tranny question.
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Is this normal - auto tranny question.
Hi all!
So I am new to automatic transmissions - this is my first truck / car with one. Besides the occasional rental, I have only driven and owned manual transmission vehicles, so be gentle ....
Basically, when I just cruise in say 6th gear, and then step a little on the gas (or there is a hill), the engine rpm's jump up by like maybe 500 rpm's without a noticeable increase in speed, and there is no downshifting either.
I am sure this is normal, right? So what is the transmission doing? Coming from manuals only in the past, this seems strange.
Thanks a lot!
So I am new to automatic transmissions - this is my first truck / car with one. Besides the occasional rental, I have only driven and owned manual transmission vehicles, so be gentle ....
Basically, when I just cruise in say 6th gear, and then step a little on the gas (or there is a hill), the engine rpm's jump up by like maybe 500 rpm's without a noticeable increase in speed, and there is no downshifting either.
I am sure this is normal, right? So what is the transmission doing? Coming from manuals only in the past, this seems strange.
Thanks a lot!
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2010
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From: plymouth mi
most likley the torque converter unlocked and you dropped a gear, from 6 to 5. if you have the select shift ( i think all eb engines are equipped with this trans ) the driver info screen will display the gear you were in if you toggle the + - button on the shifter,(at least on console shift), just torque converter locking or unlocking is only 200-250 rpm's difference, you may not notice a speed change because of big torque from ecoboost, just a guess.
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most likley the torque converter unlocked and you dropped a gear, from 6 to 5. if you have the select shift ( i think all eb engines are equipped with this trans ) the driver info screen will display the gear you were in if you toggle the + - button on the shifter,(at least on console shift), just torque converter locking or unlocking is only 200-250 rpm's difference, you may not notice a speed change because of big torque from ecoboost, just a guess.
My gear indicator is on, and there is no downshift with what I am talking about. But, it could be that it's only a 250 rpm jump, I need to watch this closer. I am not sure about the exact rpm number change when it drops or goes up.
So this could be the torque converter, even with no shifting? (The no shifting part I am 100% sure of. This only happens with a smallish increase in load or throttle - if I'd step on it more, it then would downshift).
I think I just may have to get used to the automatic transmission.
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Torque converter unlocked. When it comes to the transmissions in these trucks, forget everything you know about Ford transmissions. They behave completely different and feel very strange, until you get used to them.
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Joined: Mar 2011
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From: Guelph, Ontario, Canada
+1. New autos are much more progressive with TC lockup through the gears than older units. Even my lowly '09 Corolla 1.8L with 4-speed automatic locks the converter in 3rd and 4th, so that when you accelerate calmly from a stop, the shifting is:
1 - 2 - 3 - 3locked - 4 - 4locked
so it feels like 6 "shifts." This is what allows that car to get better gas mileage than the manual trans version. Compare this to my 2002 Grand Marquis with the 4.6 + 4R70W, which only locked the TC in overdrive (4th) at light throttle cruise.
I wonder if any of the manufacturers have beefed up TC clutch material to compensate for this much greater lockup activity? Seems like the clutch would wear faster in these newer transmissions compared to the older ones that just locked up in high gear at a cruise.
1 - 2 - 3 - 3locked - 4 - 4locked
so it feels like 6 "shifts." This is what allows that car to get better gas mileage than the manual trans version. Compare this to my 2002 Grand Marquis with the 4.6 + 4R70W, which only locked the TC in overdrive (4th) at light throttle cruise.
I wonder if any of the manufacturers have beefed up TC clutch material to compensate for this much greater lockup activity? Seems like the clutch would wear faster in these newer transmissions compared to the older ones that just locked up in high gear at a cruise.
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Thanks guys!
I would have thought that locking it would preserve the clutch - but maybe I am thinking manual tranny again here.
I have also noticed that when I am going down a steep hill, the rpm's seem to drop to something significantly lower than when under power at that speed.
I really need to get accustomed to the auto transmission. Right now, this is the only thing about the truck I don't like all that much, but will hopefully get used to soon. Not that it's really bad or anything, I just keep on wondering what the heck that truck is doing all the time that I didn't expect.
I would have thought that locking it would preserve the clutch - but maybe I am thinking manual tranny again here.
I have also noticed that when I am going down a steep hill, the rpm's seem to drop to something significantly lower than when under power at that speed.
I really need to get accustomed to the auto transmission. Right now, this is the only thing about the truck I don't like all that much, but will hopefully get used to soon. Not that it's really bad or anything, I just keep on wondering what the heck that truck is doing all the time that I didn't expect.
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