LOBO “Manual” Mode first drive today

[Chops]

Drove west down Broadway then back east on Speedway - those that know Tucson know those roads are infested with stoplights.

Which is perfect for “rowing through the gears” which I did!
Seems the “piped in” engine noise got turned up - making it easier to hear the rpm’s better & “shift” appropriately.

I find this more fun than a “stick”. No concerns about stalling or money shifting Still involves engagement - but a bit more low key & fun.

It will be a Lobo learning experience for all the new Lobo owners using the paddles. If you guys/gals have any tips - please share?

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[Gearbox88m]

Most of my driving, right now at least, is done in manual mode since I am in "break-in" period.

Other than that, I have other cars with 3 pedals if I want to actually row gears.

 

[Chops]

Most of my driving, right now at least, is done in manual mode since I am in "break-in" period.

Other than that, I have other cars with 3 pedals if I want to actually row gears.

I’m in break in too. My brakes have settled in but I’m going to give the EcoBoost a couple hundred more miles.

Question: You lift off the gas when upshifting your manual - do you stay on the gas when up shifting your Lobo in manual mode? I tried both but seems smoother with foot still on the gas?

 

[Gearbox88m]

I’m in break in too. My brakes have settled in but I’m going to give the EcoBoost a couple hundred more miles.

Question: You lift off the gas when upshifting your manual - do you stay on the gas when up shifting your Lobo in manual mode? I tried both but seems smoother with foot still on the gas?

Lifting off the throttle in an automatic to shift gears? No.

 

[Chops]

Lifting off the throttle in an automatic to shift gears? No.

Makes sense. Why simulate turbo lag when you have the real thing.

 

[r0tax]

Manual 'mode' is OK on the Lobo. Its is NOT a manual trans though.

Lobo needs a 6 speed MT (option).. That wouldn't sell enough to be worth while for Ford, but would make the few 6 MT seekers happy, and truly fall in love with the Lobo.. Yeah yeah, it won't happen, but i won't stop dreaming. lol

 

[Hosenose]

Having 60+ years pleasurable experience with manual transmissions, I'm a bit "whelmed" with manual shifting in my Lobo. The feel of the shifts, even in Lobo mode, is somewhat vague and it still shifts for me sometimes, whether I want it to or not. So, coming to a stop, for instance, I don't necessarily know what gear I'm in without looking at the dash display -- not horrible, but mildly irritating. It's like some Ford engineers and/or product planners want to be my mother. They let me pick gears totally on my own over the years with Mustangs, Rangers, F-150s, etc. Why not now?

 

[Hosenose]

Manual 'mode' is OK on the Lobo. Its is NOT a manual trans though.

Lobo needs a 6 speed MT (option).. That wouldn't sell enough to be worth while for Ford, but would make the few 6 MT seekers happy, and truly fall in love with the Lobo.. Yeah yeah, it won't happen, but i won't stop dreaming. lol

Yes!

 

[Chops]

Manual 'mode' is OK on the Lobo. Its is NOT a manual trans though.

Lobo needs a 6 speed MT (option).. That wouldn't sell enough to be worth while for Ford, but would make the few 6 MT seekers happy, and truly fall in love with the Lobo.. Yeah yeah, it won't happen, but i won't stop dreaming. lol

Manual transmissions are fun & engaging, especially the “fancy” footwork involved. But if Ford offered a manual on the Lobo - I’d still choose the auto w/paddles as my only car.

Ford could make the manual standard & charge $2000+ for the auto/paddles like the manufacturers that still offer a manuals on a model do. If Ford charged more for the manual, even less folks would buy it?

 

[r0tax]

If it came down to it, I'd pay extra for a manual. In this day and age, I get it, manuals have their cons as well. For in town driving, stop-n-go lights, short point to point stuff. Then the auto is great, easy, comfortable. And I suspect That is what a very large majority of Maverick owners do. (yep, me too)

And when I'm Not doing that type of driving, I want the manual, for Everything else outside of town. Long distance highway and freeway blasts, I prefer the manual. Tight n twisty, I prefer the manual. For hauling/towing (especially at higher elevations and road grades), yep, the manual.

The feeling of a well timed, mechanically initiated input into gear selection. The clutch in > throttle blip > move lever to mechanically engage gear > clutch out. The clutch to further control and modulate the application of power input.

Oh yeah, did I hint at how the downshifts are a bit lack luster on the Lobo. They are.
And if they need to repurpose from other Ford parts. Focus RS has a transverse engine and rear drive shaft??
#bringbackthe6mt

 

[Chops]

If it came down to it, I'd pay extra for a manual. In this day and age, I get it, manuals have their cons as well. For in town driving, stop-n-go lights, short point to point stuff. Then the auto is great, easy, comfortable. And I suspect That is what a very large majority of Maverick owners do. (yep, me too)

And when I'm Not doing that type of driving, I want the manual, for Everything else outside of town. Long distance highway and freeway blasts, I prefer the manual. Tight n twisty, I prefer the manual. For hauling/towing (especially at higher elevations and road grades), yep, the manual.

The feeling of a well timed, mechanically initiated input into gear selection. The clutch in > throttle blip > move lever to mechanically engage gear > clutch out. The clutch to further control and modulate the application of power input.

Oh yeah, did I hint at how the downshifts are a bit lack luster on the Lobo. They are.
#bringbackthe6mt

The downshifts are lackluster aren’t they. I usual let the Lobo auto downshift as I approach a traffic light etc - but manually downshifting to accelerate without lugging the engine still feels luggy. Oh well, I need more practice to master the “quirks & features” of this 7 speed

I learned how to drive manual on a Corolla Hatchback with the “intelligent Manual Transmission” (iMT). It automatically blipped the revs when downshifting. Lobo needs to blip lol.

 

[matmondro]

Question: You lift off the gas when upshifting your manual - do you stay on the gas when up shifting your Lobo in manual mode? I tried both but seems smoother with foot still on the gas?

Yes, in any vehicle with paddle shifters you can keep your foot into the gas while upshifting. Give 'er the beans!

 

[pa4ul]

Shift logic in the lobo is okay. IT still seems slow compared to my old dct trans which takes some getting use to. I normally hit the paddle a second early to get it to shift without overrevving.

 

[SorryDad]

I've tried the paddles a few times and have to admit, like several of you who've driven an ACTUAL stick, I still have the clutch muscle memory in my left foot. I "forced" myself to stay on the gas while shifting and the experience was better. My last car, a '15 Subaru Legacy (H6), had the paddles but that just didn't quite do it for me. The downshifts were good but will admit Subaru's CVT simulation of a traditional tranny was for me quite well done. But back to this truck: fun little Lobo! Will be doing the paddles again for sure.

 

[Chops]

I've tried the paddles a few times and have to admit, like several of you who've driven an ACTUAL stick, I still have the clutch muscle memory in my left foot. I "forced" myself to stay on the gas while shifting and the experience was better. My last car, a '15 Subaru Legacy (H6), had the paddles but that just didn't quite do it for me. The downshifts were good but will admit Subaru's CVT simulation of a traditional tranny was for me quite well done. But back to this truck: fun little Lobo! Will be doing the paddles again for sure.

F1 drivers have been using paddle shifting without a clutch pedal for decades now. NASCAR eliminated the clutch pedal recently - but still have a “stick shift” mounted in the traditional place “on the floor”

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