'01 F-150 transmission overdrive

welcome to the world of 'CAFE-driven engine programming'

CAFE = Corporate Average Fuel Economy, the Holy Grail of the vehicle makers' quest to please the mileage gods in Washington

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Is this normal?

I think it should shift around 50 to 55mph... When it shifts at that low of speeed the RPM's drop to almost idle speeds...

======== ======== Dear Customer, You have several options as I see it.

1) Load the bed to full with 60lb bags of Sakcrete.

2) Keep a 32' GradyWhite hooked to it at all times.

3) When empty and not towing..... drive uphill on steepgrades only.

4) Find someone to do a costly performance upgrade on the computer. (yes..costly)

5) Take an electronics course or two.... and learn how to trick the computer into thinking yer hauling 50 60lb bags of Sakcrete. (again, likely costly)

6) Get a tranny shop to install an aftermarket wire harness adapter on the truck that will allow for a moderate amount of adjustment in line preasure that MAY...increase the shift timing for you. At a fairly costly price. (fairly costly=about $200)

7) Go get the truck checked out and maybe purchase yerself a new MAP sensor, TPS, or VSS.....all of which may,can, should, but not always will.....turn the check engine light on when going bad. A few involved tests of these 3 sensors can eliminate one,two or all of them as a possible cause of yer concern.

8) Live with the situation as is.

.................... NOTES 4-U: Your transmissions "shift timing" is commanded by the computer, telling it when to shift and at what speed, based on what it perceives as engine load demand and actually vehical speed.

Governor pressure affects upshifts. (normally)

Throttle pressure affects downshifts. (normally)

Governor pressure must overcome throttle pressure in order for the next upshift to occur. (normally)

Vehical speed determines governor pressure. (normally)

The MAP sensor and the TPS determine throttle pressure. (normally)

VSS + TPS + MAP = Time of shift (normally)

NORMALLY = a mechanically sound tranny and a sound running engine system. Things that we are taking your word for.

The computer sees Vehical Speed and Engine load demand, and says.... "oooh,we're under a strain...lets hold this gear for sec before we upshift." UNLESS.....it doesn't see the truck straining to move at the speed the trucks moving. Then it simply shifts on out to the next gear according to the FACTORY SETTINGS programed into it.

(end Notes)

......................... Random Thoughts

sooo....all you have to do is pick out one of the methods that i posted above for changing load demand and your shift timing will increase accordingly, as each and everyone will cure your complaint, excluding number 8.

hopefully helpfull,

~:~ MarshMonster ~a resister inline extends time~ ======= =======

9) Buy a stick next time! - Oh crap, you can't even get one in a new F150.