marshallr

I think you misunderstood my point.

On older Ford transmissions, as well as older and current Chevy and Dodge transmissions top gear has always been a 1:1 ratio regardless of manual or automatic. all of the specs I can find show a 1:1 ratio for everyone but Ford. An old school typical 3 speed automatic would have ratios something like this. Manuals were geared lower in 1st, but still had a 1:1 ratio in 3rd.

1st--2.46:1
2nd--1.46:1
3rd--1:1

With an overdrive transmission 4th would have been something like .067:1

The current Ford transmission has the following gear ratios.

1st--4.17:1
2nd--2.34:1
3rd--1.52:1
4th--1.14:1
5th--.87:1
6th--.69:1

There is no true 1:1 ratio of power getting from the engine to the transmission like on most other transmissions. We have 2 overdrives and 4th gear is closest to what would have been considered top gear traditionally. If we were to lock out both 5th and 6th gears we'd have basically the same 4 speed transmissions that were used for years before OD transmissions became common.

I read a lot of guys here concerned that their transmission drops to 3rd or even 2nd gear when towing on inclines. They think the engine is under powered. But in reality with the gear ratios of these transmissions it would be perfectly normal.

gatorblue92

I used the M setting when I was staying at a cabin in the Smoky Mountains this summer. The road coming down was very steep and twisty and having full control over what gear I was in was needed. Haven't found another use for the manual setting anywhere else though. That's what my manual cars are for.

GFL

Trying to imagine how this would work on the 10 speed...would it make M more...or less useful/needed. That's a lot of gears...

2014fiveoh

I used the manual mode when I'm pulling my landscaping trailer in traffic that's running about 45ish. I keep it in fourth and it tows nicely with all the hills north Georgia has. Otherwise it's a constant annoyance of downshifting.

7thSeal

Well Ford is focusing these options toward its heavy hauling 1/2 ton for now. If you dig into an 18 wheeler preferred options toward manual or auto, most want manual. Though technology is slowly changing minds in heavy haulers which will likely funnel down as usual.

If you don't want to shift manually it seem the the new trans will skip gears unless needed if left in auto... tech changing minds.

Ricktwuhk

See for yourself. Put it in drive with your foot on the brake. Hit minus and watch the display. Hit plus. Locks out whatever you tell it too.

M just keeps you in a gear unless you shift up or down. Starting in 2 on snow might be a use, but with 4x4 and e-locker I cannot imagine using it.

BostonBruins

That would be sweet, I find them to be really fun. I remember seeing a thread a while back about some guy who made his own. It was cool, but kind of something that I personally wouldn't want to mess with. He seemed to know what he was doing though!

untraceable

Played with locking out 5-6 today. Pretty sweet


with a 3.55 rear, I was at roughly 1950rpm at 60 in 4th and 3K at 70mpg


great for heavy traffic on the freeway.


also nice was once I did it, the gears appeared on my instrument display. was nice to know what gear I was actually in driving around town. My dads Super Duty shows the gears all the time I believe. Wish my '16 display did

SixShooter14

If you're in drive the gears should be displayed. IF NOT, PRESS THE "+" BUTTON ONCE. Like you're trying to upshift, this should show the 1-6 in white and highlight the current gear in orange.

SixShooter14

I've driven a lot of cars with paddle shifters, I've never really liked them.

The best "manual" mode automatic I've driven was a Chevy Cruze rental.

To switch from Auto to "manual" you slide the console shifter to the left. Then it acted like a rocker. Press the shifter forward to shift up and press it rearward to shift down. Much more like a real manual stick. Still no clutch, no feeling the gear, and no shift pattern. But felt much better than buttons or paddles.

Of course I just bought my first auto. trans vehicle in April. And I love it, but sometimes I do miss my stick.