Automatic shifting really harshly in Sport mode

[wynand32]

The harder shifts are normal if you were to drop the pan of the passenger car automatic. Open the valve body, and install a shift kit B&M, it will shift harder than the stock slushbox.

The B&M kit has different springs that cause the valve body to shift, crisper/harder.

The Mustang has an electronically controlled shifting transmission, instead of springs, solenoids control the firmness of the shift.

This IS a general description of what is going on, the electronics of the mustang transmission internally I'm not aware of.

Worry all you like but the sport & track modes will make the car shift, tighter, and crisper, harder.

And definitely has nothing 100% to do with the ATF

Yes, Sports/Sports+/Track modes will shift harder than Normal mode. Duh.

But individual shifts shouldn't feel like the transmission is ripping itself out of the drivetrain. You can say it's not affected by the amount of ATF (which DOES affect the amount of pressure that exists in the transmission, which is why it feels better when it warms up -- higher temp, more pressure) all you want, but mine drove better yesterday with the ATF topped off than it has since I've owned it.

And it was in the mid-'60's, so not exactly winter weather.

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[Charlemagne]

Don't get me wrong, love my '22 GT, but it has the worst Auto Transmission I've ever experienced in my lifetime.

That sounds really weird. I love my '21 Mach 1 10R80! In D it's fluent and not noticable at all, in S it's nicely fast and has nice sport behaviour, not overly harsh to me, but any fast shifting will be noticable in any car (in the manuals too) and you expect that in Sport mode. It's either a different personal tolerance to it, some fault, stepping on it hard when it's still cold, or some difference from car to car. Perhaps try in other cars too to see the difference (dealers, car & coffee etc).

I always drive at least 10 miles before switching to Sport mode, to warm everything up. Takes longer in the cold winter too.

 

[sirben711]

Don't get me wrong, love my '22 GT, but it has the worst Auto Transmission I've ever experienced in my lifetime. Wanted to step away from a Manual this time, but this 10 speed auto is almost a deal breaker. (bought the car sight unseen). Why they didn't offer a true DCT, like what's on the GT 500 is beyond me.

Agreed (see my signature below )

I am happy that the ops problems have been solved.

 

[wynand32]

Agreed (see my signature below )

I am happy that the ops problems have been solved.

So far, don't jinx me!

 

[NeedForGreen]

So, the transmission tech said he did an "accelerated break-in" process, which I think means that it reset the transmission tables. He said it would take a little while to work everything out and might still be harsh for a bit. But once it settles in and particularly learns my driving patterns, all should be good.

I love how some of these techs try to toss out techincal words like "accelerated break in process" as if they did something special. I guarantee all he did was reset the KAM which anyone can do with a battery disconnect or Forscan which 1 click. Glad to hear it's working better.

 

[wynand32]

I love how some of these techs try to toss out techincal words like "accelerated break in process" as if they did something special. I guarantee all he did was reset the KAM which anyone can do with a battery disconnect or Forscan which 1 click. Glad to hear it's working better.

If I had a better memory for all this terminology maybe what he told me made sense, but I can't remember the particulars. And maybe it was all gobbledygook.

 

[MCS]

I had this happen to me once the Roush kit was installed. In SPORT+ or TRACK mode 1 to 2 and 3 to 4 feel like a Viking invasion.

 

[luca1290]

I love how some of these techs try to toss out techincal words like "accelerated break in process" as if they did something special.

Actually it really does exist an "accelerated break in" procedure on IDS for the 10R80. It cycles the valve control body and the clutches to accelerate the break in.
So no, this time is not the usual lingo used to confuse the customer.

 

[luca1290]

Ford should put their tranny in the Mustang! Annd, no I haven't checked the oil level yet.

The Acura transmission is from ZF, Germany, so they know what they are actually doing when engineering. Sometimes to obsession, but they come from a different philosophy and probably also cost.

The 10R80 is really a good unit, one of the best if you ask me, potentially on par with the ZF (and I drove it).
Take your time and check the oil level, Ford is known for underfilling regularly these transmissions. When an automatic transmission is underfilled it will not reach the correct working pressure and that is what you will experience.

Check the fluid.

 

[wynand32]

Actually it really does exist an "accelerated break in" procedure on IDS for the 10R80. It cycles the valve control body and the clutches to accelerate the break in.
So no, this time is not the usual lingo used to confuse the customer.

Thanks for that. This guy seemed very knowledgeable and completely up-front, so if he was feeding me any crap I'd be very surprised.

 

[scurfie]

Do you have to check the fluid warm and with the engine running? When I checked mine cold fluid squirted out.

 

[wynand32]

Do you have to check the fluid warm and with the engine running? When I checked mine cold fluid squirted out.

As I understand it, you do have to check the level at operating temperature. I don't know that the engine needs to be running, though.

 

[wynand32]

Just for giggles, I thought I'd keep a short diary of how the transmission is performing. I drove quite a bit today, both casually and at low throttle through side streets and a bit more spirited on the freeway.

1. In Normal mode, cold or warm, the transmission is smooth as silk. No more harsh upshifts at the usual points and even downshifting from 3rd to 1st at a stop is smooth. Higher throttle performance is just aggressive enough and as expected. For now, the transmission in Normal is what I would characterize as "perfect."

2. In Sport/Sport+, it's still just a tiny bit harsher when cold versus warm, but the difference isn't as stark. Then, when fully warmed up, I can drive at low throttle as if in Normal mode and it's just as you'd expect -- a little quicker to shift, and shifts are more aggressive, but it's still smooth enough for daily driving. EVERY now and then the 3-4 shift hesitates a little and is harsher, but that only happened a few times. I think it's very throttle-sensitive at that particular shift point.

At higher throttle, wow, it's a lot of fun. I hadn't driven the car as aggressively yet, and the car's even quicker than I expected. I have no intention of driving at triple digits very often, but I hit 105 without even trying just going about ¾ throttle on a long onramp. The quickness surprised me. Back to the transmission, Sport/Sport+ modes are awesome when given enough throttle. Very aggressive shifts but not what I would characterize as "harsh."

3. Track mode: didn't try it yet.

So, I'm now a helluva lot happier with the car because the transmission now fits what I expected when I bought it. I should be pissed off that the car was shipped that way, but I'm over it. It's fixed, it didn't cost me any money, and I'll have plenty of warranty to cover any issues.

 

[merlin803]

Just for giggles, I thought I'd keep a short diary of how the transmission is performing. I drove quite a bit today, both casually and at low throttle through side streets and a bit more spirited on the freeway.

1. In Normal mode, cold or warm, the transmission is smooth as silk. No more harsh upshifts at the usual points and even downshifting from 3rd to 1st at a stop is smooth. Higher throttle performance is just aggressive enough and as expected. For now, the transmission in Normal is what I would characterize as "perfect."

2. In Sport/Sport+, it's still just a tiny bit harsher when cold versus warm, but the difference isn't as stark. Then, when fully warmed up, I can drive at low throttle as if in Normal mode and it's just as you'd expect -- a little quicker to shift, and shifts are more aggressive, but it's still smooth enough for daily driving. EVERY now and then the 3-4 shift hesitates a little and is harsher, but that only happened a few times. I think it's very throttle-sensitive at that particular shift point.

At higher throttle, wow, it's a lot of fun. I hadn't driven the car as aggressively yet, and the car's even quicker than I expected. I have no intention of driving at triple digits very often, but I hit 105 without even trying just going about ¾ throttle on a long onramp. The quickness surprised me. Back to the transmission, Sport/Sport+ modes are awesome when given enough throttle. Very aggressive shifts but not what I would characterize as "harsh."

3. Track mode: didn't try it yet.

So, I'm now a helluva lot happier with the car because the transmission now fits what I expected when I bought it. I should be pissed off that the car was shipped that way, but I'm over it. It's fixed, it didn't cost me any money, and I'll have plenty of warranty to cover any issues.

After my trans fluid top off, my 3-4 shifts when in sports/sports+ were also a little harsh still but smoothed out to normal after a few drive cycles in that mode so hopefully yours will be the same.

 

[wynand32]

After my trans fluid top off, my 3-4 shifts when in sports/sports+ were also a little harsh still but smoothed out to normal after a few drive cycles in that mode so hopefully yours will be the same.

Cool, thanks, that's awesome to hear. It's my only complaint, so if it works itself out, I'll be perfectly happy with the transmission.

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