Knocking in the transmission at cruising speed

[Guitarplayer1]

From day 1 whenever my Maverick is not under stress on the engine I hear a noise and a vibration on my steering wheel. It feels like an old car that you leave in third gear and press the gas. There is a knocking especially when cruising at around 25 mph and even 45 and above when the engine is cruising. I have had it in the Ford shop twice to look at it and the first time they said the transmission isn't broke in yet. The second mechanic said he couldn't feel anything. I don't even like driving it because I feel it every time and it ticks me off. Anyone else having this same issue?

Sponsored

 

[bighead]

There should be zero feeling in the wheel. Breaking in a tranny is laughable.

 

[Scott Asheville]

From your description it sounds like the engine is lugging because the transmission has selected way too high a gear. Question - have you tried different modes to see if it always present? Is it still there after the car is warmed up?

I ask the second question because it could have nothing to do with the transmission - it could be a temperature sensor that is wrongly triggering an overly lean fuel-air ratio. I had this on an old RAV4. The engine lugging or bucking isn't always the transmission.

Caveat - I'm not an auto repair tech, and everything I just said could be balderdash.

 

[Robber's Roost]

If you are running 85 octane fuel which I believe Utah has, try a higher octane grade. If that resolves it do not run 85 octane.

 

[Montana]

Do you have the 4k tow? Some reports including myself is that is loves to hunt for gears around those speeds and shifts kind of rough.

 

[Guitarplayer1]

From your description it sounds like the engine is lugging because the transmission has selected way too high a gear. Question - have you tried different modes to see if it always present? Is it still there after the car is warmed up?

I ask the second question because it could have nothing to do with the transmission - it could be a temperature sensor that is wrongly triggering an overly lean fuel-air ratio. I had this on an old RAV4. The engine lugging or bucking isn't always the transmission.

Caveat - I'm not an auto repair tech, and everything I just said could be balderdash.

It doesnt happen when its in sport mode cause the engine is always at a higher RPM. It still happens when its warm. Thanks for your reply

 

[Guitarplayer1]

Do you have the 4k tow? Some reports including myself is that is loves to hunt for gears around those speeds and shifts kind of rough.

I do have the tow package...its shifts smooth its just lugging when the engine isnt reved up. Feels like driving a standard tranny in third gear and going 20 mph

 

[Guitarplayer1]

There should be zero feeling in the wheel. Breaking in a tranny is laughable.

yes it doesnt make sense but i cant get a mechanic that wants to diagnose it

 

[Bob The Builder]

The low RPM cruising vibration is a known issue and even discussed by Consumer Reports in their overall favorable review. I have frankly been amazed so few people have discussed this issue here leading me to believe it was just my truck doing it.

I mentioned this in a thread a number of months ago where cruising along at around 40 the tach reads around 1200 RPM and feeling exactly like the engine is lugging down with that slight vibration I can feel. Most other vehicles will. be around 1500 RPM under similar situations and feel much smoother.

Has Ford programmed the tranny to do this to save gas? I have no idea.

I do not have sport mode in my FX/4 but I would imagine under similar conditions, in sport mode, the RPM's would be reading closer to 2000 RPM thereby smoothing any lugging or vibration but consuming more gas.

I have learned to live with it. Also, oddly, no one who has ridden with me has mentioned it.

https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/forum/threads/chug-chug-chug.39907/

 

[Guitarplayer1]

If you are running 85 octane fuel which I believe Utah has, try a higher octane grade. If that resolves it do not run 85 octane.

I will try that...It is supposed to handle 85 octane

 

[Robber's Roost]

No, 87 minimum and that's just barely. I realize 87 is probably not available to you so you should step up to a mid grade at least.

 

[Guitarplayer1]

The low RPM cruising vibration is a known issue and even discussed by Consumer Reports in their overall favorable review. I have frankly been amazed so few people have discussed this issue here leading me to believe it was just my truck doing it.

I mentioned this in a thread a number of months ago where cruising along at around 40 the tach reads around 1200 RPM and feeling exactly like the engine is lugging down with that slight vibration I can feel. Most other vehicles will. be around 1500 RPM under similar situations and feel much smoother.

Has Ford programmed the tranny to do this to save gas? I have no idea.

I do not have sport mode in my FX/4 but I would imagine under similar conditions, in sport mode, the RPM's would be reading closer to 2000 RPM thereby smoothing any lugging or vibration but consuming more gas.

I have learned to live with it. Also, oddly, no one who has ridden with me has mentioned it.

https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/forum/threads/chug-chug-chug.39907/

My wife can feel it in the passenger seat so its not just me. You would think Ford would be aware of it and put out a fix

 

[Robber's Roost]

Here is wording from the 2024 operators manual regarding fuel octane. Personally I'm not an advocate of running premium if not necessary but when you can hear knocking at low RPM under load it is time to pay attention. I've had enough turbo cars to know the signs.

Your vehicle operates on regular unleaded
gasoline with a minimum pump (R+M)/2
octane rating of 87.
Some fuel stations, particularly those in
high altitude areas, offer fuels posted as
regular unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating below 87. The use of these fuels
could result in engine damage that will not
be covered by the vehicle Warranty.

 

[Bob The Builder]

My wife can feel it in the passenger seat so its not just me. You would think Ford would be aware of it and put out a fix

Yes, it is annoying. I too had my wife mention it when we first got the truck. Forgot about that.

Like I said earlier, I've been a little amazed more people here have not mentioned it.

Seems like an easy fix for Ford. Wondering if an aftermarket tranny tune would correct this. Gonna run my gas down to the light coming on and fill with 93 and see if that makes any difference.

 

[Guitarplayer1]

Here is wording from the 2024 operators manual regarding fuel octane. Personally I'm not an advocate of running premium if not necessary but when you can hear knocking at low RPM under load it is time to pay attention. I've had enough turbo cars to know the signs.

Your vehicle operates on regular unleaded
gasoline with a minimum pump (R+M)/2
octane rating of 87.
Some fuel stations, particularly those in
high altitude areas, offer fuels posted as
regular unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating below 87. The use of these fuels
could result in engine damage that will not
be covered by the vehicle Warranty.

Thanks for that

Sponsored