Transmission Stutters Up-Hill

[KeyLargoBill89]

So I have 5,000 miles on my 2021 ranger and I notice that when I’m going uphill, and even inclines at a slower the speed the transmission almost almost stutters between 25-30mph. I think it happens when it’s in a higher gear, when it should be lower. If I speed up before the hill it won’t do it, and if it starts rumbling on the hill, I’ll let off the accelerator and hit it and it will be fine. I’ve heard it could be some adaptive learning software from the transmission? Has anyone else had this problem? Other than that the truck has been solid.

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[Joeiconic]

I drive in hilly terrain a lot. If it’s a steep hill that I have to climb at slower speed due to traffic, curves, etc., I like to drop into Sport, which will keep the truck at higher rpm. In hilly terrain generally where I can travel at the speed limit for the road, I find that locking out the 9th and 10th gear will usually keep the truck at or above 2000 rpm, which avoids most lugging situations and generally makes the truck feel better on hills.

 

[slowmachine]

I drive in hilly terrain a lot. If it’s a steep hill that I have to climb at slower speed due to traffic, curves, etc., I like to drop into Sport, which will keep the truck at higher rpm. In hilly terrain generally where I can travel at the speed limit for the road, I find that locking out the 9th and 10th gear will usually keep the truck at or above 2000 rpm, which avoids most lugging situations and generally makes the truck feel better on hills.

Similar to this, I frequently use Tow/Haul mode in hillly terrain. It keeps the RPMs up, locks out 9-10, and has quicker downshifting on descents.

 

[OFC Ranger]

These transmissions are notorious for 'gear hunting'. The more gears (10 in our case) automakers keep putting in the worse it gets. Works fine on relatively flat ground, but leaves a very lack luster experience on hills.

If you ever get a tune in the future it will fix this.

Or you can lock out gears using the +/- while in D mode (not Sport)

 

[Big Blue]

Similar to this, I frequently use Tow/Haul mode in hillly terrain. It keeps the RPMs up, locks out 9-10, and has quicker downshifting on descents.

Tow haul does not lock out 9-10. You have to do that yourself with the minus button in D.

 

[Trigganometry]

What everyone is saying. In Drive or Sport lockout higher gears before you see incline coming and keep RPM around 2K and you’ll be a happy camper

 

[RedlandRanger]

These transmissions are notorious for 'gear hunting'. The more gears (10 in our case) automakers keep putting in the worse it gets. Works fine on relatively flat ground, but leaves a very lack luster experience on hills.

If you ever get a tune in the future it will fix this.

Or you can lock out gears using the +/- while in D mode (not Sport)

Everyone has their opinion, but I would not say this transmission is "notorious" for gear hunting. On the contrary, I was somewhat concerned about that when I bought it (10 speeds? Really?) - I've been pleasantly surprised at the LACK of gear hunting and in my experience typically does a great job of figuring out what gear to be in and the shifts are so smooth it isn't a huge deal.

For the problem posted by the OP, I would agree, either locking out 9 and 10 or using sport mode will easily address it.

If you want to experience a "notorious" gear hunting transmission, go drive a 3rd gen Tacoma....

 

[AdamHarris]

Correct these transmissions do not “gear hunt“ at all. I mean you can be in 10th gear and slowing down and then lightly hit the Excelerator to speed back up and often times it won’t even gear itself down or maybe just drop into 9th. These engines are very torquey and that help keeps the gear hunting to a minimum.

 

[GregsFX2Ranger]

As stated the +/- buttons on your shifter will let you control that situation. I use them quite frequently.

 

[GregsFX2Ranger]

Correct these transmissions do not “gear hunt“ at all. I mean you can be in 10th gear and slowing down and then lightly hit the Excelerator to speed back up and often times it won’t even gear itself down or maybe just drop into 9th. These engines are very torquey and that help keeps the gear hunting to a minimum.

What an Excelerator?

 

[Trigganometry]

What an Excelerator?

EXCELERATOR™ STIRRUP ANKLE SPLINT

Allows you to get full stomp without spraining your ankle!

Where have you been? ?

 

[myothercarizahearse]

I vote lock out upper gears or use sport mode. it always helps me. don't forget to return to all 10.... you can go 80mph in sixth gear and never notice a problem until you run out gas. ask me how i know

 

[GregsFX2Ranger]

I vote lock out upper gears or use sport mode. it always helps me. don't forget to return to all 10.... you can go 80mph in sixth gear and never notice a problem until you run out gas. ask me how i know

I think you'd notice your engine revving or see that on your tach.....

 

[OFC Ranger]

Everyone has their opinion, but I would not say this transmission is "notorious" for gear hunting. On the contrary, I was somewhat concerned about that when I bought it (10 speeds? Really?) - I've been pleasantly surprised at the LACK of gear hunting and in my experience typically does a great job of figuring out what gear to be in and the shifts are so smooth it isn't a huge deal.

For the problem posted by the OP, I would agree, either locking out 9 and 10 or using sport mode will easily address it.

If you want to experience a "notorious" gear hunting transmission, go drive a 3rd gen Tacoma....

Fair enough. All I know is mine and other people I have spoken to with a stock trans on any hill with some steep grading it would bog down and sometimes have to bounce two gears (or sometimes bounce up and down) if you entered the hill at cruising speed. Yes you can negate this by preemptively speeding up at the bottom, but meh.

I guess the problem is I have always owned manual transmission vehicles. My last truck was a V8 Magnum 06' Dakota 6-Speed, so proper gearing was never a thing.

On a side note, its kind of sad how my last V8 truck would get absolutely smoked by the Ranger and it got worse gas mileage. I will give props where props is due tho, the original clutch lasted 175,000 miles!

Man this generation Ranger would be bonkers will a manual 6 speed... to hell with MPG lol

I wonder how hard it would be to mate a last production year Focus RS 6 speed to our 2.3 EB....?

 

[myothercarizahearse]

I think you'd notice your engine revving or see that on your tach.....

not when you have SAVATAGE cranked to MAX!!!

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