A simple, non-performance focus tune?

[SpaceRanger]

Ok so I've dealt with tuning before. Especially on the 2.3 in my old RS. Mountune was the tuner and supplied the Accessport (handheld tuner made by Cobb if you guys haven't heard of the device).

But I'm not looking for gains. I know these trucks have massive tuning potential but I'm not looking for increasing stress and beyond normal operating parameters just because I don't need them and I don't want to lose reliability or durability. Also, I'd like to not possibly void the warranty if something happens and they can trace it back to the tune.

So, all I want is a tune that can pep up the transmission and disable the auto start/stop. Possibly using the Accessport but I know Cobb doesn't support it just yet. And hey, maybe cost less than a full blown tune?

Anybody have any suggestions or ideas?

Thanks!

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[RedlandRanger]

Ok so I've dealt with tuning before. Especially on the 2.3 in my old RS. Mountune was the tuner and supplied the Accessport (handheld tuner made by Cobb if you guys haven't heard of the device).

But I'm not looking for gains. I know these trucks have massive tuning potential but I'm not looking for increasing stress and beyond normal operating parameters just because I don't need them and I don't want to lose reliability or durability. Also, I'd like to not possibly void the warranty if something happens and they can trace it back to the tune.

So, all I want is a tune that can pep up the transmission and disable the auto start/stop. Possibly using the Accessport but I know Cobb doesn't support it just yet. And hey, maybe cost less than a full blown tune?

Anybody have any suggestions or ideas?

Thanks!

Not sure what you are looking for as far as "pep up the transmission", but auto start/stop can be disabled using FORScan - no tune needed.

Are you looking to change shift points?

 

[AzScorpion]

Ok so I've dealt with tuning before. Especially on the 2.3 in my old RS. Mountune was the tuner and supplied the Accessport (handheld tuner made by Cobb if you guys haven't heard of the device).

But I'm not looking for gains. I know these trucks have massive tuning potential but I'm not looking for increasing stress and beyond normal operating parameters just because I don't need them and I don't want to lose reliability or durability. Also, I'd like to not possibly void the warranty if something happens and they can trace it back to the tune.

So, all I want is a tune that can pep up the transmission and disable the auto start/stop. Possibly using the Accessport but I know Cobb doesn't support it just yet. And hey, maybe cost less than a full blown tune?

Anybody have any suggestions or ideas?

Thanks!

If you're just looking to "pep up the transmission" drive it in S position. This should do everything you're looking for. You can disable the auto start stop many ways by either pressing the button,using Forscan,plugging something into the outlet behind the console like a LED night light or use this by 4D Tech.

https://www.4dtech.com/auto-start-stop-eliminator-ranger/

 

[doug910]

If you're just looking to "pep up the transmission" drive it in S position. This should do everything you're looking for. You can disable the auto start stop many ways by either pressing the button,using Forscan,plugging something into the outlet behind the console like a LED night light or use this by 4D Tech.

https://www.4dtech.com/auto-start-stop-eliminator-ranger/

Auto Start/Stop is also disabled in "S" mode. Looks like his problems are all solved!

 

[AzScorpion]

Auto Start/Stop is also disabled in "S" mode. Looks like his problems are all solved!

Doh! I forgot about that.

 

[Polar Bear]

Auto Start/Stop is also disabled in "S" mode. Looks like his problems are all solved!

I've seen this posted so many times. None of the typical tricks ever disabled mine. It always engaged duirng Max AC, S mode, and with a plug in the outlet. Dorks at Ford said it was 'functioning properly', so, I bought the autostop eliminator. Haven't looked back sense.

As for S mode.... Dude it's the tune your looking for based on what your OP said.

 

[Rinn69]

Also, I'd like to not possibly void the warranty if something happens and they can trace it back to the tune.

If you hook up a tuner to it, they (the dealer) can see it. The only one that can't be "seen" is by Burger....at least that is what someone on this forum claims. A member of my family works in Detroit as an engineer....they told me they've been able to see modifications done by tuners for a long time. Not only on the computer, but by visual inspection of various engine components. One of the places they worked looked at the tops of pistons, looking at the pattern of the carbon deposits and they proved the engine had been tuned. The best option would be to find a "mod friendly" dealer, but even they will only go so far to help. If you tune it, then grenade the engine, you're on your own.

Don't want to void your warranty, don't tune it....it's that simple, IMHO.

 

[SpaceRanger]

I just ordered a ELM327 adapter from Amazon and I'm going to try my hand at FORscan. The plug in device mentioned before seemed a little pricey at $100 so I'll try this first.

But I guess I should have been more clear on what I meant by "pepping up the transmission". My opinion on this transmission is that it's a little lazy with shifting. I read that a proper tune (by a proper tuner who knows what he's doing) will wake it up a bit, making shifts a tad bit snappier and more decisive(?). Granted, that defies my "no tune just quite yet" etho so I wondered if there was a middle ground. The aforementioned "put the transmission into S mode and you'll be good on both accounts!" doesn't really work. "S" doesn't stand for "Sport Mode", it actually stands for "Selective Shift Mode". It doesn't actually change shift characteristics beyond holding gears for a bit longer, as if you were towing or going up a hill. And to me, that just gets annoying.

And yeah, I know a "tune is a tune" in every dealerships' eyes and whatnot. But like I said before, I've been down that road. Specifically for performance and specifically for 2.3L EcoBoosts. I know what just a tune can do and what kind of harm if not properly done right. So for now, on my end, a tune will just have to wait. I guess for my benefit, my dealership kind of worked with me for warranty claims and they swore up and down that they'd go with "we'd have to prove that the tune was the actual cause of the problem". But we know that that could mean "more power equals more stress on blah blah. So the taillight fell off because the car was faster than what it was from the factory, and the speed rotated each individual screw out. Nope, not covered under warranty."

Anywho, enough of my late night ramblings. Thanks for the replies, guys! (Hey, that rhymed!)

 

[SpaceRanger]

from the owners manual...

I must spell "selective" different than you I guess

"Sport Mode (S) Switch on sport mode by shifting the transmission selector lever to sport (S). In sport mode the transmission selects the optimum gear for best performance. This gear selection is typically lower than that of drive (D) and the shifts are faster."

Well shit. Color me f*****g dumb and now feeling like a pretentious ass. But I swear I've heard every "qualified" presenter call it the "select shift" mode and even maybe read an article or two. Damn.

Head. Up. Ass.

 

[T-Wrecks]

While a tune (mountune) pepped up my Fiesta ST's 1.6L ecoboost it seems to me all tuning does on a stock motor is require the use of premium fuel. Short of a bigger turbo you really need a larger intercooler and a freer flowing downpipe to get the most out of tuning. You might encounter a warranty issue with those but I doubt it on a stock motor with just a tune as they are pretty conservative and these motors have knock sensors to prevent damage due to increased ignition advance or lower quality fuels.

Does the Ranger have a towing function for the tranny? If not that would be a valuable tune to get. Also my FiST tune came with an eco and valet modes which I never used but those are a nice options to have on a truck, and certainly not going to cause warranty issues.

 

[RedlandRanger]

While a tune (mountune) pepped up my Fiesta ST's 1.6L ecoboost it seems to me all tuning does on a stock motor is require the use of premium fuel. Short of a bigger turbo you really need a larger intercooler and a freer flowing downpipe to get the most out of tuning. You might encounter a warranty issue with those but I doubt it on a stock motor with just a tune as they are pretty conservative and these motors have knock sensors to prevent damage due to increased ignition advance or lower quality fuels.

Does the Ranger have a towing function for the tranny? If not that would be a valuable tune to get. Also my FiST tune came with an eco and valet modes which I never used but those are a nice options to have on a truck, and certainly not going to cause warranty issues.

I'm not sure if all Rangers have it, but I think you get tow/haul mode when you get the tow package. It is very useful when towing.

 

[SpaceRanger]

Yeah, there is a tow/haul but putting it in "SPORT" mode (ha, I was corrected), does exactly that. But I'm not a fan of how long it holds the gears for, potentially tanking fuel economy (?).

And I had a Focus RS with Mountune's B3 kit with a pretty comprehensive but a little conservative tune via the Accessport. Being that these motors are essentially the same, power comes easy. I think 5 Star Tuning - with only running 93 octane and JUST their tune, was pulling stock RS numbers at the wheels.

 

[RedlandRanger]

Yeah, there is a tow/haul but putting it in "SPORT" mode (ha, I was corrected), does exactly that. But I'm not a fan of how long it holds the gears for, potentially tanking fuel economy (?).

And I had a Focus RS with Mountune's B3 kit with a pretty comprehensive but a little conservative tune via the Accessport. Being that these motors are essentially the same, power comes easy. I think 5 Star Tuning - with only running 93 octane and JUST their tune, was pulling stock RS numbers at the wheels.

Tow/Haul mode is DEFINITELY different than sport mode. From my experience, it isn't as aggressive as sport mode is. It keeps the RPMS up slightly and does engine braking on downhills.

 

[AzScorpion]

Yeah, there is a tow/haul but putting it in "SPORT" mode (ha, I was corrected), does exactly that. But I'm not a fan of how long it holds the gears for, potentially tanking fuel economy (?).

And I had a Focus RS with Mountune's B3 kit with a pretty comprehensive but a little conservative tune via the Accessport. Being that these motors are essentially the same, power comes easy. I think 5 Star Tuning - with only running 93 octane and JUST their tune, was pulling stock RS numbers at the wheels.

While in Sport mode you can press the +/- button on the side of the gear shift. That way you can control how long/short you want it to shift. I used this a lot this past week when were were traveling through some very hilly areas. Nice to control your speeds when descending steep grades in traffic. Also useful when entering highways to gain speeds for merging. Heck,it's just a fun mode!

 

[JimJa]

I use "sport" mode all the time. Yes, RPM is higher when shifting, ~ 3,100 RPM. 10th doesn't engage until about 65 MPH. I've done some experimenting between Sport and Drive and find - in specific cases - the MPG is actually better at a higher RPM with the reduced load than at a lower RPM with the higher load. This is likely due to increased turbo boost at higher loads. Additionally, in Sport mode, when slowing with brakes applied, the transmission will shift down to a lower gear raising the RPM, BUT the MPG is still 99 plus, since little to no gas is being supplied in trailing throttle regardless of RPM.

Over a measured distance of 135 miles, I've gotten 2 MPG better in sport mode with both my wife's 2.0 Escape and with the Ranger. Although the test was not scientific, and was out in Sport and back in Driver, I still need to reverse the trip modes (out in Drive, back in Sport vs. the reverse) for a more accurate test, but the result is Sport vs Drive results in very similar economy..

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