Limp Mode on the Track

[superman07]

My extra 2 more cents is HPDE tracking the current Base or Tech under an advance or experienced skills level would likely produce overheating concerns... therefore if you fall into at the very least an Intermediate skills level HPDE participant then buying the Track pack or an R is a must IMO. BUT tracking these 2 types of (Tech & Base) cars under a newbie/beginner status and in novice category at moderate speeds w/ occasional track traffic in a limited session (i.e. 30mins or less) should NOT quickly trigger a limp mode result.

Maybe the non-Track/R cars were inadequately tested to at least survive a 20-30mins session HPDE under less than advanced levels or extreme conditions. We're talking about Novice skill levels fellas in a crowded group at a very cool evening. Someone at FP did not exhaust all possibilities or 'thank' outside the box. That's where one of the balls were dropped, IMHO.

Not even that, these cars will hit limp mode on the freeway in high temps.

There is no way ford tested anything without coolers in any kind of heat or with much load. 45 min at 80mph in high 80s and 2 small passengers will almost hit 250. No signs of it cooling. put 600 pounds of people in the car on a hot day and run 5th gear on the highway for a while and just watch what happens.

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[superman07]

I have a 4 hour drive to Morgantown WV and with the heat and mountains I might not even take the car. Sad to day it scares me. Who the hell wants to run the transmission for 250-270 degrees that long, even if I dont hit limp.

 

[142KMPH]

Do you ming elaborating on the kind of driving when hitting rev limiter !
Hills, twisties, hill climb, what RPM's, temperature !

Houston is flat, no giant hills or mountains, but it's hot 95+ and humid 100% here. No twists or hard turns, just a couple downshifts to pass some folks, no more than 7000 rpm on a 10 lane interstate, and the next thing you know, its to the service lane. I restarted the car after a couple minutes, and it seemed to be ok, but the Ford master tech says that the tranny takes much longer to disipate heat. Thought it might be a sensor or software, but everything checked out ok, they put in a ticket, so perhaps Ford will do something before this gets out of hand when temps get to 105-110 degF outside.

 

[superman07]

Man, I think it might be worse than many thought.

In my experience the transmission temps just keep rising at high temps. either drop it in 6th and feel like a Camry, or stop frequently for hot trips.

 

[mattlqx]

You don't run in 6th while cruising on the highway? Really?

 

[krt22]

You don't run in 6th while cruising on the highway? Really?

lol seriously, gee I wonder why it might get a bit hot when you are constantly loading it

 

[superman07]

55-70 mph in this car, in 6th, is a camry. I didn't buy a camry. I use sixth especially for mpg but drop into 5th extensively in traffic and for hills.

Also, try getting out of your own way in rush hour, in 6th.

 

[Hack]

lol seriously, gee I wonder why it might get a bit hot when you are constantly loading it

It was raining on my way in to work this morning and I was still in 5th a lot on the highway. Running with traffic at 60-70 mph.

Are you saying it's unreasonable to think the car should be able to run in 5th on the highway? You don't think the car should be able to handle being "loaded"?

 

[superman07]

exactly, in most traffic 5th is needed to get out of your own way

 

[raiderjatt02]

I think he means that it would be pretty unreasonable to be cruising at 80mph in 5th gear for a long time. Yeah, when the speeds drop down to 60-70 and you need to accelerate faster than a Prius you'll need to drop to 5th but how many of you honestly drive 45 minutes at a constant 80mph and keep it in 5th?

 

[superman07]

traffic, hills, having fun, a lot of reasons to hit 5th, the issue shouldn't be that a 1 to 1 gear runs your transmission to the 260s, the biggest problem is under prolonged driving even popping into and out of 5th causes a steady temp rise, and without airflow it does not like too cool down.

This weekend if I take it through the mountains, do you think I will be able to avoid 5th for the hills in West Virginia, hell no. But bring out more excuses. I do the same drive in a honda and drop 2 gears, no temp problems.

Sorry its a design issue. Its not even about track time now. its a fundamental issue with ambient temperature, airflow, and heat buildup.

but go ahead and flame me I really dont care. the facts will come to light as we go into the warmest months and more cars are sold and driven.

 

[gearhead999s]

I was at Mosport last Thursday and I had a student in a Tech package and it went into limp home after about 3 hard laps limiting it to about 4500 RPM.The R that we also had there had no such issues.

 

[arsenalrocks]

changed my tranny fluid to full synthetic
will see what happens this weekend. sat is gonna rain the pace will be slower.

I was at Mosport last Thursday and I had a student in a Tech package and it went into limp home after about 3 hard laps limiting it to about 4500 RPM.The R that we also had there had no such issues.

 

[50 Deep]

Bottom line is the car should not be hitting limp mode on the street. Regardless of how long you stay in any gear. For track use and abuse I totally understand. On the street in ANY driving conditions the car should not be limiting itself.

 

[Old Car Guy]

I have a 4 hour drive to Morgantown WV and with the heat and mountains I might not even take the car. Sad to day it scares me. Who the hell wants to run the transmission for 250-270 degrees that long, even if I dont hit limp.

What Mountains are you talking about from Columbus Ohio to Morgantown West Virginia, some little ones on route 50 If your coming from Columbus Ohio on US33 then thought Parkersburg WV and pick up US50 east. :shrug: :cheers:

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