Chug, chug, chug!!!

[Bob The Builder]

I have a state highway I travel on mostly to get where I need to go. Speed limit 50 but most of the time traffic is moving around 45 or so. I have noticed that at that speed, around 45 or so keeping a steady gas pedal, the transmission likes to shift into a gear where the tach is around 1200 RPM. It almost feels like the engine is starting to lug down a bit. I'm thinking this is yet another example of Ford programming the tranny to help meet those cafe standards.

This does not bother me too much, per se, if it did just step on the gas a bit. I'm just wondering if others have noticed this. Of course, I do like the gas mileage 1200 RPM @ 45MPH affords me.

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[Montana]

The tranny hunts worse than Elmer Fudd. At least in my Tacoma a tune was common and widely regarded as the best thing you could do even to stock Tacoma's... but no such thing exists for the Maverick (at least on the scale where it was so highly praised for the Tacoma or with the amount of research and data behind it to prove it's reliability). I definitely like the eCVT in my previous Escape more than the 4K's shifting points and I don't think it's something I'll ever get used to either. It bothers me constantly. Sometimes I put it Sport mode just for that reason.

 

[Ozarkbeard]

The tranny hunts worse than Elmer Fudd...

ROFLMAO
That's one thing I am so glad I no longer have to deal with in the Hybrid. No hunt, no lug.
I'm sure you do miss the Escape's smooth as butter eCVT.

 

[Oscarcat]

Have you considered changing the driving mode using the buttons down by the gear selector? Try "sport" mode - it may change the speed at which the trans torque converter locks up. Disclaimer: I haven't tried it.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

Have you considered changing the driving mode using the buttons down by the gear selector? Try "sport" mode - it may change the speed at which the trans torque converter locks up. Disclaimer: I haven't tried it.

If you have adaptive cruise set it at 50-52 or whatever set speed. I have hybrid but it appears that driving in cruise does act differently and uses electric miles more readily. Perhaps knowing where max speed increase needed would change ice rpm slightly and reduce the perceived need to shift as much?

 

[Ike]

I have a state highway I travel on mostly to get where I need to go. Speed limit 50 but most of the time traffic is moving around 45 or so. I have noticed that at that speed, around 45 or so keeping a steady gas pedal, the transmission likes to shift into a gear where the tach is around 1200 RPM. It almost feels like the engine is starting to lug down a bit. I'm thinking this is yet another example of Ford programming the tranny to help meet those cafe standards.

This does not bother me too much, per se, if it did just step on the gas a bit. I'm just wondering if others have noticed this. Of course, I do like the gas mileage 1200 RPM @ 45MPH affords me.

I've had my EB two years with all types of driving. My EB 8-speed works flawlessly. Gas mileage of 32+ at 74 MPH and 35+ around 60MPH.

 

[Bob The Builder]

I've had my EB two years with all types of driving. My EB 8-speed works flawlessly. Gas mileage of 32+ at 74 MPH and 35+ around 60MPH.

I feel mine does as well. I'm convinced what is happening is by design due to attempts to improve gas mileage.

Traveling the very same road at the same speed my wife's ZF transmission in her Jeep is around 1600 RPM.

 

[710-oil-614]

I run in normal and I have found that the 8spd actually holds 2nd longer than I would want it to.

At 45mph mine runs around 1600rpm.

 

[dalola]

I have a state highway I travel on mostly to get where I need to go. Speed limit 50 but most of the time traffic is moving around 45 or so. I have noticed that at that speed, around 45 or so keeping a steady gas pedal, the transmission likes to shift into a gear where the tach is around 1200 RPM. It almost feels like the engine is starting to lug down a bit. I'm thinking this is yet another example of Ford programming the tranny to help meet those cafe standards.

This does not bother me too much, per se, if it did just step on the gas a bit. I'm just wondering if others have noticed this. Of course, I do like the gas mileage 1200 RPM @ 45MPH affords me.

That's right, it's doing what it was designed to do....under low torque demand, upshift.

I really wish Ford would have optioned their excellent Select-Shift software for the Maverick, so engaged drivers could eliminate low load upshifting, along with many other benefits.

As it is, you might try Tow/Haul mode, it's like a Sport-Lite, behaves a little less aggressive out on the road. Sport mode works well in city conditions, but sucks on the secondary roads, IMO.

 

[Paulyz]

I have a state highway I travel on mostly to get where I need to go. Speed limit 50 but most of the time traffic is moving around 45 or so. I have noticed that at that speed, around 45 or so keeping a steady gas pedal, the transmission likes to shift into a gear where the tach is around 1200 RPM. It almost feels like the engine is starting to lug down a bit. I'm thinking this is yet another example of Ford programming the tranny to help meet those cafe standards.

This does not bother me too much, per se, if it did just step on the gas a bit. I'm just wondering if others have noticed this. Of course, I do like the gas mileage 1200 RPM @ 45MPH affords me.

I have the Ecoboost & my transmission shifts very smooth, never had that problem.

 

[colinl]

but no such thing exists for the Maverick (at least on the scale where it was so highly praised for the Tacoma or with the amount of research and data behind it to prove it's reliability).

respectfully, that's an unrealistically high bar you set given how many Tacos have sold per year with that antiquated 5spd auto. It will take a decade or more to get near that kind of a number with the 8F35 since all the hybrids don't use it.

also, cobb tuning does offer a stage 0 tune with transmission optimization only, if someone wanted to run 87 and improve the transmission. details here: https://cobbtuning.atlassian.net/wi...ck+Maverick+Tremor+Bronco+Sport+2.0L+EcoBoost

COBB OEM+

• Shift Points
  • Upshift schedules revised for updated power band, more predictive shifting.
  • Downshift schedules revised for updated power band, more reactive downshifts.
• Shift Firmness
  • Moderately increased during high power/RPM shifts in Normal and Sport mode
• Upshift Backout
  • upshift inhibit (zero Accelerator pedal position gear-holding) in ‘Sport’ mode following high-power acceleration and throttle backout has been disabled. Stock behavior would inhibit upshift until pedal position is re-applied above ~10%.
• Torque Limits
  • Increased torque limits for more aggressive launches and acceleration

COBB Sport

• Shift Points
  • Upshift schedules revised for updated power band, more predictive shifting. Will hold lower gears for longer than OEM+.
  • Downshift schedules revised for updated power band, more reactive downshifts. Will downshift sooner than OEM+.
• Torque Converter
  • Altered TCC unlock and slip schedules for more responsive power delivery
• Shift Firmness
  • Moderately increased during high power/RPM shifts in Normal and Sport mode
• Upshift Backout
  • upshift inhibit (zero Accelerator pedal position gear-holding) in ‘Sport’ mode following high-power acceleration and throttle backout has been disabled. Stock behavior would inhibit upshift until pedal position is re-applied above ~10%.
• Torque Limits
  • Increased torque limits for more aggressive launches and acceleration

 

[colinl]

also - Ford and GM both use the 8F35, and its related 9 and 10 speed automatics. since Ford chose to maximize fuel economy - GM chose to maximize smoothness - you can get some bogging as it picks a very high gear and the torque converter can lock at low speeds, and stay locked when shifting because it uses internal clutches.

when locking torque converters first were used, it was only done in top gears at highway speeds because the engine could easily bog if the converter wasn't allowed to freely spin at low speed and transitions from low to high load.

as was previously mentioned, if you enable sport mode you're not going to have these types of issues. yes - even if you drive very conservatively in sport mode.

 

[WildGrok]

I have the Ecoboost & my transmission shifts very smooth, never had that problem.

Adding my two cents:
My 2024 EB AWD with towing is one week old
The shifting is perfect

 

[Bob The Builder]

I have the Ecoboost & my transmission shifts very smooth, never had that problem.

I do not view it as a problem. My tranny shifts beautifully as well and I am very pleased with it. Very pleased with the truck as a whole. The intent of my post is it seems Ford, in their desire to improve gas mileage and meet government mandated requirements may have gotten a bit too aggressive in their shift points trying to keep rpm's down.

Now maybe it is just my truck. Maybe I'm the Lone Ranger here and everyone else sees what my wife's Jeep sees and that is 1600 RPM at the same given speed. I do not know. I'm seeing this as more of a curiosity than a problem and wondering what others are seeing and how they feel about it.

 

[colinl]

wondering what others are seeing and how they feel about it

it's not very hilly where I live, and I don't drive 45 too often, especially not sustained it's more city traffic flow. I have not noticed lugging.

you could ask your Ford dealership to reset the learning on the transmission. it's probably not worth a separate service visit, but it couldn't hurt to do it your next oil change or whatever and see if it helps.

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