Shift Points

[MFSHO]

I am sorry if this has been answered before... I am new here.  Just picked up a 2011 non-PP SHO a couple weeks ago.  I am curious about what effect I can expect from just flashing the computer in regards to the tranny... If I paddle shift the car it is perfect but in full auto Drive the shift points seem all out of whack.  Any thoughts would be appreciated

 

[DJE624]

Most likely a tune will give you firmer shifts at optimal points.  I hardly ever use the paddles.  Especially when racing.

 

[mjhpadi]

Most of us with tuned cars have discovered that using the paddle shifters aren't the best way to get responsive shifts, leaving the car in Drive seems to be yielding the best track times and the best shifts.

 

[SHOdded]

I'd make sure the PCM calibration is up-to-date, and that there are no leaks in the powertrain/fluids look good.  THEN I would head in for a tune.

 

[Brucelinc]

If I paddle shift the car it is perfect but in full auto Drive the shift points seem all out of whack.  Any thoughts would be appreciated

MFSHO, please describe what do you mean by out of whack - shifts too soon?  Too Late?  Irratic?  At WOT, it should shift at around 6200 RPM.  Driven normally, it will go to the next gear at very low RPM so that fuel economy is maximized.  Additionally, with the stock transmission settings, the engine power is cut as the car shifts.  The purpose of that is to make it smooth and gentle on the transmission.  A tune will firm that up but still not be harsh at all.

 

[DRII]

i just had my car, which i got used, in for some warranty work (replace failed ignition coil and wheel-bearing) at the dealer.  i think they reflashed the engine and electronics management, because my car is behaving differently.  the transmission is buttery smooth, but less aggressive; the ride is also ridiculously smooth and compliant but has lost some 'feel'.  idk if a wheel bearing fails all at once or if its over time.  i think the slight vibration that i felt before ('feel'), that gradually became worse along with tire roar, was the bearing going bad.

so all thats to say, if you think the transmission is behaving badly; you probably should take it in and have the dealer do a diagnostic and possible reflash.  if the car is still under warranty, it should be no charge to you...

 

[SoCalSHO]

MF, if you just got the car, don't forget that it has an adaptive learning transmission. So it means that it learned it's shifting pattern to the previous owner. Yes, the paddle shifters work better, because you are telling it when you want it to shift.

In order to fix the shifting, do what everyone above says to do. See if you have the current programming in your trans, or see if they can reset the adaptive learning mode, a new tune will also reset it. Good luck.

 

[MFSHO]

If I paddle shift the car it is perfect but in full auto Drive the shift points seem all out of whack.  Any thoughts would be appreciated

MFSHO, please describe what do you mean by out of whack - shifts too soon?  Too Late?  Irratic?  At WOT, it should shift at around 6200 RPM.  Driven normally, it will go to the next gear at very low RPM so that fuel economy is maximized.  Additionally, with the stock transmission settings, the engine power is cut as the car shifts.  The purpose of that is to make it smooth and gentle on the transmission.  A tune will firm that up but still not be harsh at all.

Thanks for the input.  It just seems as tho the car is " searching" for the right gear causing it to up and down shift irratically. Nothing too harsh but it seems to jump 2-3 way to quick and if just cruising there is a shift point at exactly 45mph under little or no throttle.  At WOT it seems ok although it seems like it could stay in 2 and 3 slightly longer.

 

[Brucelinc]

That shift at 45 under little or no throttle is probably the 5-6 shift.  I think mine usually does that at between 45 and 50 if driven really gently.  That drops the RPM down to around 1000 - barely above an idle.  I think it is programmed that way for fuel economy reasons.  Once it shifts at that low speed, if you add more throttle it would probably go back to 5th - giving the feel of searching. 

I really never had any complaints about the shifting characteristics of mine - other than the built in lag between the shifts.  The tune fixes the lag and really improves overall transmission behavior.  Having said that, the tune will not cure something abnormal or something that is wrong.  You might want to have a Ford tech drive it or you might want to drive a different SHO to see if yours is abnormal.  There are some TSBs out there that apply to the transmission but your description really doesn't fit any of the TSBs that I am familiar with.

 

[SHODYOU]

^ correct

I have to cruise at that speed everyday to work and at 45 itll shift to 6th but apply any kinda throttle and its right back to 5th.

 

[DJE624]

^ correct

I have to cruise at that speed everyday to work and at 45 itll shift to 6th but apply any kinda throttle and its right back to 5th.

That is good.  You really don't want to accelerate at all in sixth.

 

[Brucelinc]

This is a situation where I do use the paddles - cruising on at street where the speed really too slow for the next gear but the tranmission disagrees with me.  For example if I am on a street where the speed is around 45-50, I just manually select 5th.  If I am not mistaken, the 2013s and newer lock out 6th in "sport" mode.  Also, I think some guys with earlier models have a tune that locks out 6th even in manual mode.  I recall LMS asking me if I wanted that in my tune.

 

[DJE624]

Yes Bruce.  I have the "Grade Assist" on my tune.  It holds gears longer/better during normal driving and locks out sixth.  For instance, in a short, one block run, it will shift up to third and then hold it there while I slow down.  Something like that.  I don't use it a lot but I like it. 

 

[Needmoreboost]

Yes Bruce.  I have the "Grade Assist" on my tune.  It holds gears longer/better during normal driving and locks out sixth.  For instance, in a short, one block run, it will shift up to third and then hold it there while I slow down.  Something like that.  I don't use it a lot but I like it.

That is exactly what my sport mode does versus normal drive.  I really only use sport when I'm on roads with hills or curves or both.

 

[MFSHO]

MF, if you just got the car, don't forget that it has an adaptive learning transmission. So it means that it learned it's shifting pattern to the previous owner. Yes, the paddle shifters work better, because you are telling it when you want it to shift.

In order to fix the shifting, do what everyone above says to do. See if you have the current programming in your trans, or see if they can reset the adaptive learning mode, a new tune will also reset it. Good luck.

The car is at the dealership now and will be done in the morning.... the techs are putting the most recent program in and resetting the adaptive learning mode.  I will let everyone know if it has helped at all as soon as I get to take it for a ride tomorrow.

I know this must have been answered a million times on here, but what is the story with tunes and warranties?  I bought the car as a certified pre-owned and added the ford premium care for an additional 5 years 100k miles.  I am certainly interested in tuning but not at the expense of voiding either warranty.

 

[BiGMaC]

MF, if you just got the car, don't forget that it has an adaptive learning transmission. So it means that it learned it's shifting pattern to the previous owner. Yes, the paddle shifters work better, because you are telling it when you want it to shift.

In order to fix the shifting, do what everyone above says to do. See if you have the current programming in your trans, or see if they can reset the adaptive learning mode, a new tune will also reset it. Good luck.

The car is at the dealership now and will be done in the morning.... the techs are putting the most recent program in and resetting the adaptive learning mode.  I will let everyone know if it has helped at all as soon as I get to take it for a ride tomorrow.

I know this must have been answered a million times on here, but what is the story with tunes and warranties?  I bought the car as a certified pre-owned and added the ford premium care for an additional 5 years 100k miles.  I am certainly interested in tuning but not at the expense of voiding either warranty.

Just got off the phone with LMS discussing this... Ford employees please chime in.... If the car is tuned the warranty will get voided.  However I understand that all that can be told routinely is that the OBD2 port has been accessed... as far as this goes the loading of a tune will show up just like a trip to Autozone to just look or canceling a CEL with your tuner or an MX. 
That said, I do also understand that Ford has the ability with more advanced programs to actually tell whether a tune was loaded, but that this advanced program is not routinely run on the car.  This is basically a "data rescue" software that can read code on the SSD that is off the directory.

Anyone with different info that they personally know to be fact, please chime in.  After all, we do pay to play sometimes.

 

[SHOdded]

If you can, find a tune-friendly servicing dealer.  Surely they are all aware of the existence of tunes for these vehicles.

 

[Brucelinc]

My humble opinion is that your warranty is clearly at risk if you have a tune.  I doubt I could find a tune-friendly dealer simply because I never take my car to a dealer except for warranty work.  It is difficult to build a relationship that way.  I view a dealer's service department much the same way I would view a proctologist - nice they are available but prefer to avoid them.

If my car was still under warranty and I had a tune, I would see no reason for a dealer to even suspect a tune if I went in for something non-powertrain related - faulty brake caliper, for example.  However, if I had my car towed to a dealer with a connecting rod hanging out the bottom of the oil pan or a catastrophic transmission failure, I imagine they might be suspicious enough to do some investigation - and I couldn't really blame them.

 

[MFSHO]

So I just picked the car up from the dealership.  Took three days but the computer was all reset and the power lumbar system and the SYNC module were also replaced.  Lumbar works and I'm finally comfortable.  And so far the car is driving great.  Nice crisp shifts smooth ride I'm happy. Not even sure what the SYNC module replacement accomplished but knock on wood all systems are go and maybe it's my imagination after driving my Wrangler for a few days but I'd swear the exhaust not is a bit louder and more throaty. 

 

[DJE624]

Great news MFSHO!