How are you guys driving your trucks the majority of the time?

Just curious? After having my Transmission fluid topped off this truck is still hunting gears like a dog most of the time, I don't feel its getting better. I might have to figure out a way to get the ECU reflashed/reset.

Seems like the only way I can remedy the "great gear search" of 2016 is by driving in sport mode all the time or with the ECT turned on.

I leave it in drive "D" on the highway but I have to mash my foot through the floor like Fred Flintstone to get the truck to respond in those upper RPM bands.

Hit the poll if you can.

 

I just put it in drive and go. Zero transmission issues and no reason to use ECT.

 

I only use the S4 when going up hills then go back to the D.... I rarely use ECT mostly because I don't even think of it.

 

With fifth and sixth gears both being overdrive gears, I found driving around in fourth is adequate driving around town and if traffic is heavy on the freeway when speed is running 55-60 its good in 4th. up to 65 or 70 Ill tap it into 5th, depending if I want the R's to drop and if Im on a grade. If I want immediate throttle response I will hit the ECT button.
This way it has eliminated all the hunting.
Putting the trans in D and just going about your day is not a smooth choice, the shifter has to be manipulated as a sport shifter, the good thing is if you do a lot of city driving leaving it in 3rd or 4th I found, is the best range to run in without hunting and shifting erratically. You have to be in tune with the engine rpms/throttle load/grade angle and be in the right gear. Reminds me of when I learned to drive a big rigs back in the day without a tach, you have to listen to everything so you dont lug the motor, all this now with a manual automatic.
Whats throwing everything off for most people is the double overdrive, OEM has it designed when in drive it defaults to one of the overdrives for fuel economy, you have have to manually control the automatics gears. Ask anyone that use to have one of the first gen Fords with the 4 speed O/D trans, you had to turn the O/D off to avoid hunting. They use to fail around 25k miles

 

the transmission gets better after a couple thousand miles. also if you just had your transmission fluid filled, they probably reflashed the ECU already, when I had them check mine, the truck had to relearn my habits again

 

I had read issues of the auto trannies down shifting before I ordered my manual. I only have to shift down to 5 on steeper hills to maintain 65mph. I only wanted a manual anyway.
Duane

 

I already have over 5k miles on it, I don't feel the ECU has changed or "learned" as much as I thought it would.

I wonder if the dealership really did re-flash my ECU when they kept it overnight to check the transmission fluid, and is there any way I can verify that.

 

Im not sure if there is a way to or not, i just noticed that my truck drove different (felt little more sluggish, like it did when I got it) after they checked than before they checked,

 

4,000 miles here and feel my shifting has settled down. I do not use the ECT button and am fine with the truck. I don't expect it to ride like a Lexus and perform like a corvette.

 

I mostly use D, but I'll use ECT when getting on the highway or driving in the wind (I'm talking 30-60 MPH winds here, hit 55 yesterday) otherwise it can't find a gear to settle into and you have to floor it to maintain 70MPH.

I like ECT not for the higher revs, but more for the better pedal responsiveness that isn't there with it off. It's so numb compared to my old Tundra that was admittedly super touchy but I got used to it being that way.

8,500 miles here and the tranny hasn't changed a bit. I'll be having it checked at my 10K though, very well could be low. Delays from R to D, or even N to D and was built in October.

 

Same here. No need for ECT

 

Why wait until 10k service to get your fluid level checked? I would have brought it in once i had the delays shifting.

Worst thing that could happen is maybe you would have to pay out of pocket if fluid ended up being full.

My guess is that it is low and 10k miles seems like quite a bit to be driving around with low fluid.

 

Same Here !!!

 

Same here, almost never use cruise either and the truck maintains gear, speed and revs just fine.

 

Gearcruncher said that YOU can re-set your ECU after a tranny top up of fluid if the dealer didn't do it.... Just disconnect battery for 30 minutes and re-connect...!!

It will start re-learning your driving habits.... Some dealers ARE reserting using TechStream, some are not, apparently..!!

If they added fluid, you have nothing to lose by doing this yourself.....you will not lose radio presets, etc...

 

ECT on when around traffic, so I can pick my way around a little more responsively

ECT off in general or when I loaf along nowhere to go nowhere to be

 

Well I drive a MT so I guess I drive like a man most of the time lol

 

+1. Manual Transmission FTW.