10R80 Owners - ULTIMATE M6G 10R80 Facts + Resolutions to harsh or no shift conditions

[sirben711]

Characteristic of the trans. It does not sound like there is anything "wrong" with your car.

I would not label the 10r80 a "smooth" downshifting trans.

Personally, Ive learned to drive around it.

A big part of me wants you to be right. But when everyone says their transmission is very smooth, and mine jerks me around on the downshifts, I just have to believe something is wrong. Whether that be a hardware, software, or temperate issue I do not know.

Haha I also drive around the problem to, but I shouldn't have to. I can avoid it by never slowing down or stopping. But at the end of the day, its going to happen and be unpleasant.

My car does not have hard downshifts when in normal drive mode. The downshifts are very smooth.

Want to trade?




From what I have gathered over the almost year of owning this car and reading countless posts about the 10R80, seems to me that about 7/10 have a smooth transmission while the other 3/10 have nothing but problems or complaints.

Mine accelerates and upshifts wonderfully, but the downshifts? They are genuinely awful, so bad in fact I cant see how Ford would release such a bad product.

Without a doubt, the 10R80 is my least favorite transmission I have ever used.

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[gimmie11s]

A big part of me wants you to be right. But when everyone says their transmission is very smooth, and mine jerks me around on the downshifts, I just have to believe something is wrong. Whether that be a hardware, software, or temperate issue I do not know.



Want to trade?




From what I have gathered over the almost year of owning this car and reading countless posts about the 10R80, seems to me that about 7/10 have a smooth transmission while the other 3/10 have nothing but problems or complaints.

Mine accelerates and upshifts wonderfully, but the downshifts? They are genuinely awful, so bad in fact I cant see how Ford would release such a bad product.

Without a doubt, the 10R80 is my least favorite transmission I have ever used.

Remember how something "feels" is very very subjective.

I can tell you my 10r80 is NOT smooth haha. Definitely not in the lower gears.

 

[ChitownStang]

So I got an appointment on Tuesday morning for them to take my Mach 1 A10 into the local Ford Dealership. The plan is to have the Transmission specialist load the newest programming from TSB on A10 and harsh shifting.
I don't think there is anything wrong with my Trans but I want it to be smoother.
So I will report back.
I told them that I will do the relearn sequence myself for 2 reasons, save time and I don't like others driving my car.
Question I have, is this relearn sequence needed or will the Trans just relearn like it did when I got it new?

 

[Cobra Jet]

So I got an appointment on Tuesday morning for them to take my Mach 1 A10 into the local Ford Dealership. The plan is to have the Transmission specialist load the newest programming from TSB on A10 and harsh shifting.
I don't think there is anything wrong with my Trans but I want it to be smoother.
So I will report back.
I told them that I will do the relearn sequence myself for 2 reasons, save time and I don't like others driving my car.
Question I have, is this relearn sequence needed or will the Trans just relearn like it did when I got it new?

If the Tech does the software update via the TSB, they are to do the relearn strategy. It's also important that the relearn strategy is followed to the T... This strategy is noted in Post 1, Page 1 of this very thread.

If the Tech has to do a valve body replacement as mentioned in the most current TSB, they should also do the relearn strategy. Not only do they have to do a trans relearn strategy, but anytime there is major engine or trans work completed, they also have to do a crank relearn strategy too.

The problem I see with you wanting to do it, is IF the trans strategy isn't followed to the T and you end up with harsh shifts still, then you're stuck with taking it back to the Dealership again anyway.

I get the whole "it's my car, I don't want anyone else driving it", but seriously, let them do their job.

 

[ChitownStang]

If the Tech does the software update via the TSB, they are to do the relearn strategy. It's also important that the relearn strategy is followed to the T... This strategy is noted in Post 1, Page 1 of this very thread.

If the Tech has to do a valve body replacement as mentioned in the most current TSB, they should also do the relearn strategy. Not only do they have to do a trans relearn strategy, but anytime there is major engine or trans work completed, they also have to do a crank relearn strategy too.

The problem I see with you wanting to do it, is IF the trans strategy isn't followed to the T and you end up with harsh shifts still, then you're stuck with taking it back to the Dealership again anyway.

I get the whole "it's my car, I don't want anyone else driving it", but seriously, let them do their job.

If that's the case, I'm going to cancel the appointment. I don't think there is anything wrong with my transmission, was just looking for a smoother experience. My experience with dealerships is that they usually cause more problems than they fix so this is not worth it in my opinion.
Plus, I think the Mach 1 may have a different calibration which I don't want to lose.
Thanks for the advice Cobra.

 

[55Tele]

Question on all this “relearning” with the Automatic Transmission. What about a brand new car with under 10 miles on the odometer? Does the factory do the initial ”learning “? My car delivered with 6 miles on the odo………Or did my first miles (up to 100 or so?) do ”learning”….

I ask because my car really settled down after the first 100-150 miles. Especially Sport+ mode. I have about 1500 miles on it now……is it still “learning”?

I guess another related question is, does the trans continue to ”learn”, i.e., is there a buffer or memory / storage that preserves the shift quality that rolls over? For instance, if you initially shift very gently, but over time drive more spiritedly, does it then adapt? I would think so????

I wish Ford (or some trans expert) would speak to this in detail.

I’m having a hard time understanding why it is a hard requirement to do the “relearning” after work is done…I would think it a good idea to follow to procedure, but is this a definite requirement or is it something to minimize the harsh shifting that might occur until the trans “relearns” to operator’s driving style?

 

[Cobra Jet]

Question on all this “relearning” with the Automatic Transmission. What about a brand new car with under 10 miles on the odometer? Does the factory do the initial ”learning “? My car delivered with 6 miles on the odo………Or did my first miles (up to 100 or so?) do ”learning”….

I ask because my car really settled down after the first 100-150 miles. Especially Sport+ mode. I have about 1500 miles on it now……is it still “learning”?

I guess another related question is, does the trans continue to ”learn”, i.e., is there a buffer or memory / storage that preserves the shift quality that rolls over? For instance, if you initially shift very gently, but over time drive more spiritedly, does it then adapt? I would think so????

I wish Ford (or some trans expert) would speak to this in detail.

I’m having a hard time understanding why it is a hard requirement to do the “relearning” after work is done…I would think it a good idea to follow to procedure, but is this a definite requirement or is it something to minimize the harsh shifting that might occur until the trans “relearns” to operator’s driving style?

Go to page 1, post 1 of this very thread. Scroll all the way to the bottom and open the Gears Magazine pdf about the 10R80, it's very informative and explains the shifting/learning tech.

 

[sirben711]

Update: Had an appointment today with the dealer I bought the car from - (for those that don't want to ready previous posts on here, they previously only updated the software. It did not improve the hard downshifts). Anyway took it in, handed all the paperwork I have been keeping as a reference. They take my car for an hour or so. They called me back and told me they need to overhaul and inspect the valve body for the recall on that part. They told me its a two day process and they currently have the repair kit for this issue.

When I picked the car up. I asked, what exactly is wrong with the valve body? And why did it come flawed from the factory? The service lady says it was a flaw in the design and they have upgraded better parts for it now. She then walked back the recall statement and said it was only a common TSB - but not quite to full blown recall yet. She said they have been seeing a lot of 10R80's coming in lately with similar issues. I asked, how come the transmission didn't come with these upgraded parts from the beginning (as this car is not even a year old based on mfg date). They didn't have an answer.

They believe this fix kit will solve the problem, they will be cleaning, refitting, and replacing minor parts - but they warned me that if they are any deep scratches or groves in the valve body they will need to replace the whole thing - which may take 1-2 months to get the parts.

I HOPE this fixes the problem. I like the engine. I LOVE the chassis, but this trans makes driving unbearable. But at least there is progress. After I go back in next month, I will let you guys know how things turned out.

 

[55Tele]

If that's the case, I'm going to cancel the appointment. I don't think there is anything wrong with my transmission, was just looking for a smoother experience. My experience with dealerships is that they usually cause more problems than they fix so this is not worth it in my opinion.
Plus, I think the Mach 1 may have a different calibration which I don't want to lose.
Thanks for the advice Cobra.

Did you wind up taking your car in? Asking because you mentioned you had the same issue with late downshift and vibration as I had….I’ve only had one instance of it, but I am now very careful to manually downshift if I feel a hint of vibration….I think I am overthinking it, but just trying to be careful..

 

[ChitownStang]

So, I ended up cancelling it but I did go in and talk to the dealerships trans specialist. He said the TSB tune likely would not help and could actually cause more problems than it's worth. He was actually working on a Explorer where the new flash made the trans not work at all.
He said he could use his computer to reset the learning if I wanted.
I don't have any vibrations though like you. I

 

[55Tele]

Thanks for the reply….yeah, I just had the one incident where it lugged pretty good….

All in all, it shifts pretty well…….Normal is just programmed to upshift too early in my opinion………I find myself switching to Sport + once it gets warmed up……and the shifting is fine both up and down…..

I think throttle position has a lot to do with this…..you have to sort of “drive it like you mean it” with these……feathering the throttle confuses it…….

 

[ChitownStang]

Thanks for the reply….yeah, I just had the one incident where it lugged pretty good….

All in all, it shifts pretty well…….Normal is just programmed to upshift too early in my opinion………I find myself switching to Sport + once it gets warmed up……and the shifting is fine both up and down…..

I think throttle position has a lot to do with this…..you have to sort of “drive it like you mean it” with these……feathering the throttle confuses it…….

Yeah, I agree. Sport +\S with paddles is how I drive mostly once it’s warm.
S and normal is also better than just Normal for not going in 10th at 40mph.
But even that has to be a little warm to function smooth.
And I also agree about the throttle, if you hesitate when say taking a turn from a stop, I’ve lost all power for a second. It’s weird a very annoying .
But when using paddles, it’s very predictable

 

[musclecar6]

I have a 2020 GT with the 10 R 80 tranny. I’ve owned it about 15 months after buying it brand new from the local dealer and I have about 4700 miles on it. I took it in to the dealer shortly after buying the car and told them the transmission shifted roughly when going from 4 to3, 3 to 2, 2 to 1, when using the paddles and the throttle position at idle on a downshift. I explained this to the service writer. The tech drove it and said it operated normally. Obviously it does not and I’ve read this thread in the beginning part that cobra jet put on here and it is very helpful. So my question is I’m thinking maybe I should take it to a different dealership in the local area and go talk to the service writer and hopefully the tech and see if they’re gonna take the procedure that was described on here and use that with the seven checks after they do it. My guess is they’re gonna wind up having to replace that valve body that they probably did not want to do and just blow me off with a bunch of BS .
This is not the smoothest operating tranny I’ve ever driven. In drive and light throttle Caddy style driving it’s not too bad, and the downshifts you can feel them in auto, but they could be a little smoother. . When you put this thing into sport with light throttle application, it tends to buck more than it should. Now if you get on it then yes it works fine and accelerates very rapidly shifts hard, maybe a little hard, but it works OK overall. This tranny needs more dialing in from what I’ve seen or there’s something wrong with the transmission in this car that needs to be fixed.

Except for the tranny I really love the car. It would be nice to get this thing straightened out. I’m a long time Corvette owner and went to the Mustang because it’s easier to get in and out of and much more comfortable as a daily driver. I did hear before I bought the Mustang, that the same tranny they used in the Camaro got built with a joint venture with Ford. Supposedly the Camaro was better dialed in in that application as opposed to the Mustang application. That’s just hearsay though, so I don’t know if it has any validity.

Any helpful hints, would be greatly appreciate. Thanks in advance.

 

[sirben711]

Corvette owner and went to the Mustang because it’s easier to get in and out of and much more comfortable as a daily driver. I did hear before I bought the Mustang, that the same tranny they used in the Camaro got built with a joint venture with Ford. Supposedly the Camaro was better dialed in in that application as opposed to the Mustang application. That’s just hearsay though, so I don’t know if it has any validity.

Keep on it. I have hard downshifts (right before coming to a stop) when it full auto normal drive mode. Its super annoying. I also reported my issues to the dealer very early on in the life of the car. At first all they did was a software update / clean install. This had no effect. 4 months later and 10k miles in they are now willing to take the thing apart - and hopefully fix it. (see post above)

I have no idea why Ford/GM thought they should partner to develop a new transmission when they could have just leased or bought a proven design. The 6R80 (zf design I believe) is a god tier transmission if you ask me. My 10r80 has been nothing but a disappointment and a headache to say the least. But I am willing to let them fix it before I trash it further. I hope they can make it as good as other people claim it to be...but I haven't seen it yet.

Keep bothering them... I came to my dealer back in January and they are NOW willing to do something about it in June.

 

[musclecar6]

Keep on it. I have hard downshifts (right before coming to a stop) when it full auto normal drive mode. Its super annoying. I also reported my issues to the dealer very early on in the life of the car. At first all they did was a software update / clean install. This had no effect. 4 months later and 10k miles in they are now willing to take the thing apart - and hopefully fix it. (see post above)

I have no idea why Ford/GM thought they should partner to develop a new transmission when they could have just leased or bought a proven design. The 6R80 (zf design I believe) is a god tier transmission if you ask me. My 10r80 has been nothing but a disappointment and a headache to say the least. But I am willing to let them fix it before I trash it further. I hope they can make it as good as other people claim it to be...but I haven't seen it yet.

Keep bothering them... I came to my dealer back in January and they are NOW willing to do something about it in June.

Yes good idea that’s what I’m gonna do to just stay on it with them till I get some results. Thanks for the insight.

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