2010 Ford tranny question

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elf

Well-known member
Just a quick question for all you knowledgeable people out there. I have a 2010 F150 with the 6 speed automatic. Whenever I tow with it I hit the tow/haul button but it seems like it is constantly shifting. It'll go onto OD, then the torque converter will kick in, then it'll drop a gear and then back. I really noticed it this past weekend towing the camper. Is this OK or is there something wrong? My 2004 Ford I'd just hit the OD lockout and the thing would never shift.
Thanks.
 
S

snow_monkey

New member
elf said:
Just a quick question for all you knowledgeable people out there. I have a 2010 F150 with the 6 speed automatic. Whenever I tow with it I hit the tow/haul button but it seems like it is constantly shifting. It'll go onto OD, then the torque converter will kick in, then it'll drop a gear and then back. I really noticed it this past weekend towing the camper. Is this OK or is there something wrong? My 2004 Ford I'd just hit the OD lockout and the thing would never shift.
Thanks.
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I think this is normal. I talked to my trans guy and with the 6 speed you are feeling the extra gears!
 
E

elf

Well-known member
snow_monkey said:
I think this is normal. I talked to my trans guy and with the 6 speed you are feeling the extra gears!
Click to expand...

Thanks for the feedback. I also spoke to my dealer and they said they didn't think it was an issue and that as long as no lights come on, don't worry about it.

But, I spoke to another person who has one and he said he doesn't use the tow/haul mode because then it doesn't shift as much.
 
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saber

New member
The difference between the older truck with the O/D lockout and the new ones Tow/Haul button is that the older one would completely lock out the overdrive. The newer model simply changes the shift pattern and downshifts out of O/D sooner to save the overdrive band in the trans. It is also normal with a 6 speed trans to shift a little more often to keep the vehicle in the best gear for the situation to try and keep the MPG's as high as possible.

The advancements in the electronics of the transmission has allowed the manufacturers to fine tune the shifting for towing a little more and that is why the O/D lockout has gone away for the Tow/Haul mode.
 
S

snow_monkey

New member
saber said:
The difference between the older truck with the O/D lockout and the new ones Tow/Haul button is that the older one would completely lock out the overdrive. The newer model simply changes the shift pattern and downshifts out of O/D sooner to save the overdrive band in the trans. It is also normal with a 6 speed trans to shift a little more often to keep the vehicle in the best gear for the situation to try and keep the MPG's as high as possible.

The advancements in the electronics of the transmission has allowed the manufacturers to fine tune the shifting for towing a little more and that is why the O/D lockout has gone away for the Tow/Haul mode.
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What he said!!
 
D

dcsnomo

Moderator
saber said:
The difference between the older truck with the O/D lockout and the new ones Tow/Haul button is that the older one would completely lock out the overdrive. The newer model simply changes the shift pattern and downshifts out of O/D sooner to save the overdrive band in the trans. It is also normal with a 6 speed trans to shift a little more often to keep the vehicle in the best gear for the situation to try and keep the MPG's as high as possible.

The advancements in the electronics of the transmission has allowed the manufacturers to fine tune the shifting for towing a little more and that is why the O/D lockout has gone away for the Tow/Haul mode.
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Wow! That's some really good 'splainin'!
 
J

jmvette427

Active member
6speed auto f150

elf, how big is the camper, headwind? up hills, i am ford service manager,and tow haul is different than the old odrive lockout, as saber says. there have been a few reprograms of ecm and trans modules for shift concerns none of which address towing but if you know someone at the dealer see if they will upgrade ecm if your truck is still under 36k miles , if you come thru reedsburg wisconsin, i would do it , myself, when towing especially something heavy or lot of frontal area, you have to find the rpm, torque, sweet spot, sometimes depending on weight or drag, faster is better if you can maintain control , i used to have a dealer demo BRONCO and tow a 7000lb 30 ft BAJA , triple axle trailer, and it looked like a tractor trailer, but it would tow best at 74 mph jim
 
E

elf

Well-known member
Jim,
The camper is only about 4000 lbs so it's not real heavy. I was towing on the freeway running about 68 or so. I'm ok with it shifting lots as long as it isn't hurting anything. I've only got 10000 miles on it so far. I have noticed that the sweet spot on this truck when running empty is about 75-78 mph. Thats when I get the best mileage (18-19) with it.
 
D

dickmsp

New member
Any thoughts on a F-150 with the eco boost V6? Can it pull a double top cap snowmobile trailer without being into the turbo constantly? or would I be better off with a v8?
 
S

scott_b

Member
Elf,
If you have any concerns you may want to look into a Scanguage II. It will allow you to monitor any sensor in the vehicle in real time, think trans temp, engine oil temp, etc but will also allow you to monitor torque converter slippage. Pretty cool little device for $169 and it works as a scan tool to retrieve and clear codes.

Here is a recent discussion about monitoring transmission conditions.
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2730002&posted=1#post2730002
 
S

snow_monkey

New member
The two big mistakes I see when people are towing are lack of transmission coolers and the level of the trailer that is to be towed. There are alot of myths and miss information when it comes to leveling a trailer. When leveled properly rolling resistance, handling, and fuel economy can all improve. You need a big flat parking lot to make this happen and you also have to give regard when leveling, to the payload you will be carrying. There are specific measurements that have to be made to make it right with some trial and error. Also how you load the trailer can also make a difference! If you need help send me a p.m. . I used to pull a very large trailer with a ranger 4x4 with two yami quads piggybacked in the bed!
 
L

lx700kev

New member
Hoosier said:
I was wondering about this engine myself.
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Ok to pull the crap out of it. The important part of the turbos are liquid cooled. The other can glow red hot if it wants too. That V6 is an animal and has gone thru LOTS of durability tests. I saw a video on that thing during testing at wide open throttle for 24hrs straight pulling 11000 lbs. (except for refueling and trailer tire replacement) You might check Utube to see if the video is on there, it's pretty cool.
 
M

moen lake

New member
lx700kev said:
Ok to pull the crap out of it. The important part of the turbos are liquid cooled. The other can glow red hot if it wants too. That V6 is an animal and has gone thru LOTS of durability tests. I saw a video on that thing during testing at wide open throttle for 24hrs straight pulling 11000 lbs. (except for refueling and trailer tire replacement) You might check Utube to see if the video is on there, it's pretty cool.
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I saw that video on NBC. That engine took a beating and just kept performing! I was very impressed.
 
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