Shifting 16 F350
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,665
Likes: 164
From: Cartersville, Ga
That's about right. My SRW with 3.55s was right there when casually going through the gears when it was stock. Now tuned, it will hold out to about 45mph. The 6.7s like to lug. That is for sure.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,521
Likes: 11
From: Greenwood, SC
Ford programmed the trans to hunt for the tallest gear as quick as possible. It's very annoying driving around town in 35-45mph zones. It's all about emissions and economy.
I spend 90% of my driving time in manual shift because it allows me to control the truck the way I like to. 3rd and 4th gear are usually where I'm at putzing around in between traffic lights and stop signs. I almost never run the engine beyond 2000rpm and truly enjoy the manual shift button. It's something that Chevy does not allow a driver to have. They do have a manual shift mode and the button is almost the same but the transmission won't let you control it. It's like it takes the command from the driver as a suggestion and waits until it decides whether or not it will let you have the gear you want. Our fords will shift into any gear you want instantly except when it simply can't do it.
I spend 90% of my driving time in manual shift because it allows me to control the truck the way I like to. 3rd and 4th gear are usually where I'm at putzing around in between traffic lights and stop signs. I almost never run the engine beyond 2000rpm and truly enjoy the manual shift button. It's something that Chevy does not allow a driver to have. They do have a manual shift mode and the button is almost the same but the transmission won't let you control it. It's like it takes the command from the driver as a suggestion and waits until it decides whether or not it will let you have the gear you want. Our fords will shift into any gear you want instantly except when it simply can't do it.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 9,293
Likes: 10
From: Parker, CO
When you're empty, there's more than enough power at very low RPMs to move the truck easily. As mentioned, the early upshift is for fuel economy. It's perfectly normal.
When loaded, switch to Tow/Haul for a different shift strategy. Now the truck will hold lower gears longer and downshift sooner to keep it in the appropriate power band for heavier loads.
When loaded, switch to Tow/Haul for a different shift strategy. Now the truck will hold lower gears longer and downshift sooner to keep it in the appropriate power band for heavier loads.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 366
Likes: 0
From: Aloha (Portland), OR USA
Sounds normal for our trucks; my '16 with 3.55s does the same thing. I can't stand how much the engine will lug, so 5th and 6th are almost always locked out around town. I'll only unlock 6th if I'm cruising on the highway at 55+ mph.
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Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2016
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From: Massachusetts
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Elder User
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: The Sunshine State
My 2016 6.7 is always driven unloaded. It don't spend much time in any Gear till it gets into 6th
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 61
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From: Iola, Texas
Glad to find this thread, I have just gotten away from a 2006 6.0L with all sorts of problems. Into a 2016 F350 6.7L now and experiencing concerns with the tranny. Its hard to believe that lugging a diesel is normal as mentioned above. In traffic at a slower speed then accelerating the transmission seems to lag to the point of vibration and pausing. The dealer tells me these new transmissions go through a learning curve with the drivers normal driving conditions? WHAT?? When I am behind a slow mover and try to pass it all but stalls, not all of the time but this is a dangerous situation when passing. What do you say?
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 6,801
Likes: 7
From: DFW, TX-GoldCanyon, AZ
Glad to find this thread, I have just gotten away from a 2006 6.0L with all sorts of problems. Into a 2016 F350 6.7L now and experiencing concerns with the tranny. Its hard to believe that lugging a diesel is normal as mentioned above. In traffic at a slower speed then accelerating the transmission seems to lag to the point of vibration and pausing. The dealer tells me these new transmissions go through a learning curve with the drivers normal driving conditions? WHAT?? When I am behind a slow mover and try to pass it all but stalls, not all of the time but this is a dangerous situation when passing. What do you say?
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 9,762
Likes: 115
Yes the truck goes through a learning curve with the tranny. But I have never had an almost stalling or slow to pass event. I give it fuel it goes.
I don't think it's lugging the motor at all. When I go up hills the truck will down shift accordingly.
If it's that bad, maybe have the tech go with you or ask to test drive another truck on the lot... 440HP and 860 TQ and empty you shouldn't be so slow as to think it's a hazard. Then again if your previous ride was a sports car it could seem that way.
I don't think it's lugging the motor at all. When I go up hills the truck will down shift accordingly.
If it's that bad, maybe have the tech go with you or ask to test drive another truck on the lot... 440HP and 860 TQ and empty you shouldn't be so slow as to think it's a hazard. Then again if your previous ride was a sports car it could seem that way.
Senior User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 282
Likes: 0
I have a 2015 and noticed it would shift out to 5th and 6th really early when i first got it. Not to the point i thought it would stall but when i left my house cold it just seemed to lug more than i would like. I am basically straight onto the highway from my house i should add. I used to lock out 6th untill i wanted it to shift out. After a couple weeks of driving the truck it no longer shifted that early into 6th. Not sure if it was just the normal tranny learning procedure that fixed this or the fact that i would lock out 6th untill i felt it should shift but the truck shifts right where it should now with no manual use of the lockout.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 6,801
Likes: 7
From: DFW, TX-GoldCanyon, AZ
Almost all diesel engines do their best work in the lower RPMs - this is one of the reasons why the manufacturers are increasing the gear-count in their transmissions.
The base programming for your transmission is consistent with the design spec of the truck/engine combination.
In other words, let the truck work the way it was designed and both you and your truck will be happier..
The base programming for your transmission is consistent with the design spec of the truck/engine combination.
In other words, let the truck work the way it was designed and both you and your truck will be happier..
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,352
Likes: 4
I tuned my truck with DPF (5star tuning)on to get rid of the 6th gear lugging issues. This truck will run 42mph going up a 6% grade at under 1,000rpm.. it is lugging bad.
The trans shifting is much better now. Won't shift to 6th until you hit 46mph, downshifts to 5th and gets your rpms up.
MUCH improved and well worth the tranny tuning.
Not only that but my regens have increased from about 325 miles per regen to 500 miles per regen tuned.
The trans shifting is much better now. Won't shift to 6th until you hit 46mph, downshifts to 5th and gets your rpms up.
MUCH improved and well worth the tranny tuning.
Not only that but my regens have increased from about 325 miles per regen to 500 miles per regen tuned.