Slow shift 5th to 6th when cold
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Logistics Pro
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From: West Michigan
Slow shift 5th to 6th when cold
All, I've already made an appointment with the dealer, but wanted to verify that there is nothing I can do myself. Situation is I have 2016 F350 that when cold, seems to have shift problems between 5th and 6th gear, where the engine revs between the gear shift under light acceleration. Once warmed up, doesn't seem to do it, 4th to 5th might be a little slow or maybe just my imagination.
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I thought it was a problem too. My truck has done it since new. My wife's uncle has a truck identical to mine, except an 8' bed and his does it when it's cold too.
I have noticed it's only first thing in the morning, under 50 degrees and only happens under VERY light acceleration. If you accelerate a little harder, it shifts perfectly. Once the trans temp reaches ~100 degrees, it stops doing it.
When it's cold out, I just lock 6th out until the engine is up to temp. I think that lugging the engine when cold isn't good for it. If I accelerate gently enough, I can get it into 6th at 42 MPH.
I have 29k on my truck now and the transmission hasn't skipped a beat other than this weird thing when it's cold.
All this to say, after fretting about it, I'm personally not going to stress about it.
I have noticed it's only first thing in the morning, under 50 degrees and only happens under VERY light acceleration. If you accelerate a little harder, it shifts perfectly. Once the trans temp reaches ~100 degrees, it stops doing it.
When it's cold out, I just lock 6th out until the engine is up to temp. I think that lugging the engine when cold isn't good for it. If I accelerate gently enough, I can get it into 6th at 42 MPH.
I have 29k on my truck now and the transmission hasn't skipped a beat other than this weird thing when it's cold.
All this to say, after fretting about it, I'm personally not going to stress about it.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Regina, Saskatchewan
It may be that what you are feeling is the torque converter not locking until the transmission reaches a certain temperature. The converter not locking is a strategy to raise the temp quicker. The next time you are feeling it pay attention to your tach after the shift is completed and see if it revs like the converter is not locked (make sure your gear indicator is lit)
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Logistics Pro
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From: West Michigan
oh, the engine revs between 5-6 like a slipping clutch. I don't buy that its intentional. my 2011 never did that once, and there would be many more guys on here talking about it if it were "normal".
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Mine has a build date of 7/14. The other has a build date of 3/15.
Let's remember, in 2015 they put a new torque converter in (along with a bunch of other stuff). Maybe they've changed the shift logic for when it's cold? So that makes sense that your 2011 didn't ever do that.
It's honestly very hard to duplicate, and is very subtle unless you're 'in tune' with your vehicle. It only does it under VERY VERY light throttle.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: West Michigan
Well, we'll see what the dealer has to say. The 2016 just started doing it this fall when outside temps have started to drop. I've owned the 2016 since the end of February, which was still winter here in Michigan, and this was not occurring then either or at all this past summer when outside temps were warmer.
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Logistics Pro
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From: West Michigan
I'll report their final findings when I pick it up tomorrow.
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Logistics Pro
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From: West Michigan
I got the truck back. They said they cleared the strategy tables, and let the transmission relearn. They drove it again this morning, and by the time I picked it up, it was cold, and the problem did not reoccur. Tomorrow morning will be the true test, but I believe it is fixed.
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Logistics Pro
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From: West Michigan
OK, final update. The clearing of the transmission shifting strategy out of the computer has fixed the problem. Drove quite a bit over the weekend, no cold shifting issues. There may be a way to do this with Forscan, I havent poked around in there to find out. Since I was still under warranty, I left Ford handle it.