Community Forums

RottenRalph · 06-19-2021, 08:35 AM

I have 14,000 miles on my 2020 F250. 7.3 10 speed. I have towed my 5ver about 4,000 miles, mostly on flat lands. A recent trip to lower Smoky Mnts reveled some things that have me concerned. While towing I have selector in Tow Haul mode and lock in the tranny at 8th gear. If I use cruise control while going up a small hill, the tranny will downshift from 8th straight to 4rth and bypass 5,6 and 7. Although concerning, this doesn't really bother me because I usually don't use CC and can control uphill downshifts manually. What Really has me ticked is engine braking while going downhill. There seems to be no way for me to control this. While descending a 1/2 mile hill, I applied the brakes to reduce speed from 40MPH. The tranny automatically downshifted to 2nd gear and put engine RPMs at 5000. I was basically stuck at 2nd gear with no way to override. Is this normal?

TexasJeff · 06-19-2021, 09:24 AM

I had an F-150 4x4 for many years and when towing my TT or other heavy loads, I used the tow-haul mode. What you're experiencing is what I experienced in my truck. The upshift on downhill grades is meant to save your brakes. So, based on our related experiences, I would say that this is normal behavior (I'm with you on uphill grades, once the trans begins shifting up and down, I definitely kick off the CC and just keep a steady pedal allowing the speed and gears to adjust themselves to whatever grade you're pulling).

If you are on a slight down-grade, you can opt to deselect tow-haul and just do your thing. But, on those more aggressive declines, I prefer to let the engine brake my speed than wear my brake pads.

tuffr2 · 06-19-2021, 11:55 AM

I would check for a TSB to have the computer reflashed to change the shift points. There just might be one. I know GM had some issues with the 10 speed, like it was not dialed in so maybe Ford too has this problem.

bross · 06-19-2021, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TexasJeff

I had an F-150 4x4 for many years and when towing my TT or other heavy loads, I used the tow-haul mode. What you're experiencing is what I experienced in my truck. The upshift on downhill grades is meant to save your brakes. So, based on our related experiences, I would say that this is normal behavior (I'm with you on uphill grades, once the trans begins shifting up and down, I definitely kick off the CC and just keep a steady pedal allowing the speed and gears to adjust themselves to whatever grade you're pulling).

If you are on a slight down-grade, you can opt to deselect tow-haul and just do your thing. But, on those more aggressive declines, I prefer to let the engine brake my speed than wear my brake pads.

Agreed, on both my Canyon Star (Ford F53 chassis) and my F-150 if Tow/Haul is holding a gear too long, like when you see the end of the grade heading up another hill etc, I just tap it out of Tow/Haul, then back in again when headed up the next hill. The computer can't "see" what you can as far as the terrain ahead so sometimes needs your involvement. Not a big deal. :shrug:

GME3470 · 06-19-2021, 03:45 PM

I have an earlier F250 with only the 6 speed trans so not exactly a good comparison. But, I had similar issues and just use the M (manual) function and select the gear that works the best for the downhill I'm on.

DirtRider · 06-20-2021, 05:51 PM

I commonly wish for a manual gear selector in my e450. So in your situation, I would be very happy to put it in M and use the selector. Is that more of a pain than I’m giving it credit for?

twinboat · 06-20-2021, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DirtRider

I commonly wish for a manual gear selector in my e450. So in your situation, I would be very happy to put it in M and use the selector. Is that more of a pain than I’m giving it credit for?

The 2021 E series now have manual shift mode.

AlaskaKeller · 06-21-2021, 03:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RottenRalph

I have 14,000 miles on my 2020 F250. 7.3 10 speed. I have towed my 5ver about 4,000 miles, mostly on flat lands. A recent trip to lower Smoky Mnts reveled some things that have me concerned. While towing I have selector in Tow Haul mode and lock in the tranny at 8th gear. If I use cruise control while going up a small hill, the tranny will downshift from 8th straight to 4rth and bypass 5,6 and 7. Although concerning, this doesn't really bother me because I usually don't use CC and can control uphill downshifts manually. What Really has me ticked is engine braking while going downhill. There seems to be no way for me to control this. While descending a 1/2 mile hill, I applied the brakes to reduce speed from 40MPH. The tranny automatically downshifted to 2nd gear and put engine RPMs at 5000. I was basically stuck at 2nd gear with no way to override. Is this normal?

Put it in manual mode and shift, that should get it out of second when it’s engine breaking. I’m constantly putting it in manual mode when I tow.

RottenRalph · 06-21-2021, 08:52 AM

I will try Manual mode on next outing.

Thanks

mecheng · 06-21-2021, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RottenRalph

I have 14,000 miles on my 2020 F250. 7.3 10 speed. I have towed my 5ver about 4,000 miles, mostly on flat lands. A recent trip to lower Smoky Mnts reveled some things that have me concerned. While towing I have selector in Tow Haul mode and lock in the tranny at 8th gear. If I use cruise control while going up a small hill, the tranny will downshift from 8th straight to 4rth and bypass 5,6 and 7. Although concerning, this doesn't really bother me because I usually don't use CC and can control uphill downshifts manually. What Really has me ticked is engine braking while going downhill. There seems to be no way for me to control this. While descending a 1/2 mile hill, I applied the brakes to reduce speed from 40MPH. The tranny automatically downshifted to 2nd gear and put engine RPMs at 5000. I was basically stuck at 2nd gear with no way to override. Is this normal?

Thanks that is good to know.

Xmcdog · 06-26-2021, 02:29 PM

Please sir,
Can I have a 10 speed manual?

Jack Klompus · 06-27-2021, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xmcdog

Please sir,
Can I have a 10 speed manual?

Yes you can, if you want it.

Sounds lie the OP found his options. I have a 7.3 / 10 speed with 8000 towing miles. Tow/Haul is pretty aggressive, and a wonderful thing on steep and long grades like I find here in the west on occasion. Usually I m not running in Tow/Haul however. If I want manual, I use manual.

TexasJeff · 06-28-2021, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack Klompus

Yes you can, if you want it.

Sounds lie the OP found his options. I have a 7.3 / 10 speed with 8000 towing miles. Tow/Haul is pretty aggressive, and a wonderful thing on steep and long grades like I find here in the west on occasion. Usually I m not running in Tow/Haul however. If I want manual, I use manual.

Exactly. What I liked best about Tow/Haul is the engine working for me when approaching intersections and the need to slow down. It keeps the engine at higher RPM to take advantage of engine torque as well as saves your brake pads.

Climbing grades, I think even the owners manual says that if you find the engine shifting aggressively, or back and forth, to simply drop the gear lever below the Drive selection.

PulNSerenity · 06-28-2021, 08:29 AM

My Ram with just the 6 speed does similar thing. Sometimes it downshifts to a much lower gear & my rmp's go to 4-5,000 rpm's. This engine has rev limiter so I do not worry that I am damaging the engine. What gets me is even after the engine has slowed the truck down it will sometimes stay in that lower gear longer than I would like it to. Hoping Ram comes out with a 8-10 speed for their HD trucks here soon. Rumor has it sometime next year.