New Ranger Lugging between 1200 and 1500 RPMs - Is this normal?

[mtbikernate]

21k in on mine, the shift patterns feel super refined. early on, it wasn't shifting exactly where I wanted it to and it would either rev higher than I liked or lower than I liked. I wouldn't call it lugging (I've driven enough MT vehicles and I damn well know what lugging is - the Ranger doesn't do that), but it meant that the response from more throttle was slow.

now it has a really balanced behavior when in D. it's pretty hilly where I live, so I do lots of coasting. but I also need a good response to more throttle when I want it when the road points uphill.

I use tow/haul when I'm actually towing and I don't use S very often.

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[Ericj]

My new tremor does the same. I was actually impressed at how well the 4cyl still pulls going up a hill slowly lugging the motor. I find myself just forcing a shift sometimes when it feels like its just too low.

 

[Kodiacnb]

Many people, myself included saw a slight improvement in mpg while in tow/haul. It's possible that you may have been driving what could be considered as more aggressively while in that mode. Switching to tow/haul and S modes alters the throttle, fuel and shift tables requiring less actual pedal travel to yield the same response from the engine. While the pedal/throttle plate position are not 1:1 due to drive by wire, the throttle plate is opening up more and faster while in those modes. This can result in increased fuel consumption if for example giving it the same amount of gas (pedal position/speed) in those modes as under normal mode.

I was coming home from the city a few days ago... about a 40 mile drive on hilly terrain. I had noticed the shift sequence seemed to be off as going downhill it didn't want to down shift properly and stayed in a lower gear longer. Thought something was wrong only to find I must have inadvertently pressed the towing button by mistake. Didn't catch it cause the button doesn't lite up. Only caught it halfway home on the dash readout.

 

[Porpoise Hork]

I was coming home from the city a few days ago... about a 40 mile drive on hilly terrain. I had noticed the shift sequence seemed to be off as going downhill it didn't want to down shift properly and stayed in a lower gear longer. Thought something was wrong only to find I must have inadvertently pressed the towing button by mistake. Didn't catch it cause the button doesn't lite up. Only caught it halfway home on the dash readout.

Yeah, tow/haul mode tends to hold gears much longer than normal or S mode. This is especially true when down shifting for hard acceleration. Let off the gas and it hangs there, and hangs there, eventually upshifts bringing the rev's back down. One of the main reasons I quit using it. That and I got tired of my wife asking what was wrong with the truck each time she was in it and saw the light on... ?

 

[HDEO]

Get a tune. Ford Performance to keep your warranty, or Livernois Motorsports (Who makes FP tune) if you aren't worried.

As mentioned it is for CAFE standards. #thanksobama

CAFE standards were initially established in 1975 under Gerald Ford. Only predating Obama by 34 years.

http://needtoknow.nas.edu/energy/en...07, Congress passed,26.2 mpg for light trucks.

 

[Floyd]

What sort and size tires are you running?

 

[BassRanger]

The engine isn't "lugging", it's just normal inline 4 nvh.

 

[Cabose-1]

When you say "tow" mode, do you mean?

This may offer the best gas mileage.

That is one way to get the best gas mileage for any vehicle.
Disappointed its not a new ford ranger doing the tow
2300lb trailer plus 4500lb truck
6800lb tow, gen-y adjustable hitch, ranger can do it!!

 

[CB750F]

YUP.

Please read/search forum as there is an incredible amount of information.
From tire pressure, oil changes(1k or 10k?) suspension (keep or change) to tune or not to
& 87 or 94 octane!
I just drive the truck when I can, as my wife uses it to commute.
Welcome to the forum.

 

[puckdodger]

Mine will do that sometimes and I drop it into S if I think about it, or not, as my mood strikes me. Sometimes I use Tow/haul, I like to surprise myself each time I get in the thing.

 

[FoD]

ACME Catalogue has a few ideas (cheaper than a tune)

You might spend more there than on any mods, maybe a tune isn't such a bad idea after all...

 

[D Fresh]

Tow mode , unless you have hills like I do ...OR, in my recent attempt to let the transmission adapt as advertised ( I was stubborn to the point of being ba.... Nevermind , I have been VERY vocal about the lug) I just refused to let it , I can feel when its about to (same commute , every day) and I either apply a little more or back off compleatly , its been about a week of this and between me and her figuring out how we like it (a little rough , we both like it a little rough) lug is almost gone , it does seem like the those shift points have changed for the better ! Happy dance ! , I can t speak for others ,but when I type "happy dance" I actually physically do a few seconds of it on my end...

That's not at all how it works.

The 10R80 does NOT adapt to your driving style. You adapted to it.

 

[The Tremor]

Try tow mode in town. It's better than D, not as aggressive as S, and it actually returns better MPG than drive for me.

Thanks to you and everybody else. I'll try all the suggestions and report back. Hopefully as it gets more miles on it and "learns" how I drive it'll get better. If not I may get it tuned. How much would that cost if anybody knows?

 

[Frenchy]

Hi Folks, I have a two week old Ranger Tremor with about 700 miles on it. When cruising I notice vibration from the motor "lugging," meaning that it feels like it needs to downshift. This is common under 60 MPH. It's fine on flat roads, but a slight incline and I have to force a downshift, which usually does not last long enough, and it goes back to highest gear. I'm sure this is to improve fuel economy but worry that this is not so great for the motor. Does anybody else have this? Should I just ignore it and let it be at the RPMs it wants? Maybe the motor was designed for this? I'm just used to a 5.0 F150 that has massive low RPM torque. Thanks!

For starters it's not lugging. This is normal action with a 4-cylinder. Four cylinders usually don't have the greatest power output at low RPM. It is nothing to worry about

 

[Wytchdctr]

For starters it's not lugging. This is normal action with a 4-cylinder. Four cylinders usually don't have the greatest power output at low RPM. It is nothing to worry about

This.

At that RPM it doesn't have the turbo to back up the 2.3. Even with its relatively long stroke that should make good torque for a 4 banger... it doesn't have the torque needed to move the, relative displacement to curb weight, heavy truck without the turbo. So of course it will be grumpy about doing it. I had a 2.0 oversquare motor car with the curb weight of 2400pds and 140hp and it was a bit pissy about hitting the gas hard under 1,500 RPM. I am surprised it is as smooth as it is under 1500 under highish throttle.

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