5 Hidden Ford Settings That Save Your 10-Speed (Before the $9,000 Bill)

[TJC]

Do these recommendations sound familiar? We've discussed them on this forum for quite some time. Seems we were on the right track. This 12 minute video covers the bases pretty well. Clear explanation of each issue and corrective action to take to prevent failure. I pulled a quick synopsis of each recommendation.

5 Hidden Ford Settings That Save Your 10-Speed (Before the $9,000 Bill)

4 of them Ranger owners can and should do. Here are the 5

• Change your transmission fluid temp gauge to digital to monitor real temperatures. The needle (analog) gauge is designed to mask high temperatures. By the time it moves it is too late. (F150 only)
  I added a Scangauge to monitor transmission fluid temps.
  
  
• Disable Auto Start Stop (A transmission Killer) - in Forscan, or pull the BMS Sensor plug. Stable fluid pressure is key.
  
  
• The Skip Shift Eliminator - In Forscan, PCM Module - Disable the Progressive Range Selection - Skip Shift Logic (skipping gears destroys clutch plates)
  
  
• Adaptive Learning KAM (Keep Alive Memory) Reset - Every 10K miles or fluid change, Clear the KAM
  
  
• The Tow / Haul Default - In stop and go traffic, high loads, or hilly terrain, switch to Tow Mode immediately
  
  Maintenance that goes along with the above
  • 30K miles - Fluid and filter change
  • 10K miles - KAM reset
  • Constantly monitor Fluid Temps Spikes > 210F in normal driving, replace thermal bypass valve. $50 part, 20 minute job.
  • Remember excess heat causes CDF drum expansion, resulting in sleeve slipping. Keep fluid temps under control.

5 Hidden Ford Settings That Save Your 10-Speed (Before the $9,000 Bill)

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[Deleted User 38384]

Good intel...

 

[TxOTRRanger]

Agreed. Good info and news to me.
Thank you @TJC.

 

[mtsoxfan]

Disable Auto Start Stop (A transmission Killer) - in Forscan, or pull the BMS Sensor plug. Stable fluid pressure is key.

Does pulling the BMS Sensor plug affect anything else? Where is sensor plug?

 

[Grumpaw]

If you always use the tow/haul around town it automatically cancels the stop/start....takes care of two out of the 5....and tow/haul does go thru the gears in proper order.
My Expedition has the same tranny as the Ranger, and the tow/haul is the first item I take care of after starting....every time.

 

[dtech]

Disable Auto Start Stop (A transmission Killer) - in Forscan, or pull the BMS Sensor plug. Stable fluid pressure is key.

Does pulling the BMS Sensor plug affect anything else? Where is sensor plug?

yes it also extends the life of your battery, but also disables low soc warnings, load shedding, and reportedly eliminates (estimated) .01 mpg fuel savings.

 

[underwhelmed]

I leave a 110 charger in my rear seat 110 plug and that keeps the ASS off. I also use sport or tow haul on the rare occasions I get into traffic.

 

[mtsoxfan]

yes it also extends the life of your battery, but also disables low soc warnings, load shedding, and reportedly eliminates (estimated) .01 mpg fuel savings.

Thanks, for those like me who are uniformed, what are low soc warnings and load shedding? And where is this sensor plug?

 

[Dr. Zaius]

The $6 night light (you get 2 of them) plugged into the rear outlet also kills the ASS function.

Night Light

I did a quick search and couldn't find the procedure for KAM reset.

Can someone post it?

 

[TJC]

I did a quick search and couldn't find the procedure for KAM reset.

Can someone post it?

I believe they are referring to the "Transmission Adaptive Learning Drive Cycle" when they mention Adaptive Learning KAM (Keep Alive Memory) reset procedure.

Adaptive Strategy
The Adaptive Learning Drive Cycle must be performed after any of the following
procedures are performed:

•Transmission rebuild or replaced​

•TCM replaced or reprogrammed​

•Major engine work performed​

•Air/fuel management adaptive values reset​

Perform the adaptive learning drive cycle on a level road surface as follows:

1. Record, and then clear any DTC’s

2. Drive the vehicle until the engine and transmission reach normal operating
temperature.

3. Accelerate from a stop with light throttle (15%), ensuring that upshifts 1st
through 8th occur at engine speeds between 1300-1600 rpm.

4. Continue to accelerate (may apply slightly more throttle after 7-8 upshift at
32-38 mph (51-61 km/h) until you achieve 55 mph (88 km/h) and the 8-9
and 9-10 shifts complete.

5. Brake very gently to a complete stop and hold the foot brake for five (5)
seconds.

6. Shift the transmission to Neutral. Wait 1 second.

7. Shift the transmission to Reverse. Wait 2 seconds.

8. Shift the transmission to Neutral. Wait 1 second.

9. Shift the transmission to Drive. Wait 2 seconds.

10. Repeat Steps 3 through 9 six (6) additional times. After the final step, place the vehicle in park and cycle the ignition key off. Wait 3-5 minutes before driving.

Given the complexity of the TCM control strategy, the engineers made every effort to allow for partial operation of the unit under most failure conditions.

 

[Texasota]

The $6 night light (you get 2 of them) plugged into the rear outlet also kills the ASS function.

Night Light

This is a simple and foolproof method to eliminate the ASS. I've been using that night light since day #1 in my 2020 Ranger.

 

[TJC]

I just asked ChatGPT "What is the 10R80 Adaptive Learning KAM (Keep Alive Memory) reset procedure?" Here is the reply with my comments...

Ford-Approved Method (Recommended)
Use Forscan (or a Scan Tool (IDS / FDRS / capable aftermarket)
My xTools D8 has this function

This is the only complete and guaranteed reset.

Procedure

1. Vehicle at normal operating temperature
2. Connect Ford IDS, FDRS, or a scan tool that supports TCM functions
3. Navigate to:
   • TCM → Service Functions
   • Select Clear Transmission Adaptive Tables or Reset KAM
4. Follow on-screen prompts
5. Key OFF for at least 2 minutes
6. Start vehicle

Clears all shift, clutch fill, and pressure adaptives

Required Drive Cycle After Any Reset
After a proper KAM/adaptive reset, the 10R80 must relearn. Use my previous post to have it relearn.

 

[TJC]

This has brought back memories! I recall performing this function on my seriously ill transmission.
Forscan had 3 options in the Service Procedure section:

• Clear Transmission Adaptive Tables
• Transmission / TCM Reset / Reset All Adaptations
• Stop or Halt Adaptive Learning

I halted Adaptive Learning and my transmission was immediately worse, Turned it back on and cleared the Adaptive Tables, then performed the Adaptive Learning Drive Cycle procedure. By the time I completed the procedure (I did 6 cycles of step 10), the transmission was behaving normally.

 

[TJC]

I'm going to document a comprehensive step by step procedure in PDF and post it here. May take a while. I just got a "Honey Do" request from my bride!

 

[awd.nv]

Do these recommendations sound familiar? We've discussed them on this forum for quite some time. Seems we were on the right track. This 12 minute video covers the bases pretty well. Clear explanation of each issue and corrective action to take to prevent failure. I pulled a quick synopsis of each recommendation.

5 Hidden Ford Settings That Save Your 10-Speed (Before the $9,000 Bill)

4 of them Ranger owners can and should do. Here are the 5

• Snip
• The Skip Shift Eliminator - In Forscan, PCM Module - Disable the Progressive Range Selection - Skip Shift Logic (skipping gears destroys clutch plates)
  
  
• Snip

Have you or anyone tried this on the Ranger? So I presume in normal drive, it will act normally but not skip gears? That could be quite nice if so. Just looking for real world feedback.

Even with the Ford tune, I still end up keeping it in tow/haul most of the time. More now so after the tune, less reason to go into Sport unless I want to have a little fun.

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