Calling all Lariat Owners with the FX4 package

[Marpater]

I don't know about sluggish, feels like my transmission is slipping at intial startup (startup and put it in gear), the engine at startup sounds like a jet engine firing up. This was concerning enough to me that I had the dealership check the tranny fluid, they reported back to me that all was normal and if I wanted to make a subsequent appointment they would have their tranny expert look at it. I have my doubts they actually checked the fluid though. The service adviser at first told me that there was no way to check fluid and that the tranny case was a closed case, I looked at her and said, it that what they taught you in service adviser school?
I got the distinct impression I was not the first one to report this kind of behavior.

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[coyote5.0man]

I don't know about sluggish, feels like my transmission is slipping at intial startup (startup and put it in gear), the engine at startup sounds like a jet engine firing up. This was concerning enough to me that I had the dealership check the tranny fluid, they reported back to me that all was normal and if I wanted to make a subsequent appointment they would have their tranny expert look at it. I have my doubts they actually checked the fluid though. The service adviser at first told me that there was no way to check fluid and that the tranny case was a closed case, I looked at her and said, it that what they taught you in service adviser school?
I got the distinct impression I was not the first one to report this kind of behavior.

LOL. The 10R80 has a normal pan and fill plug on the side. I’m not sure where she’s getting that from. The transmission fluid should be changed every 30,000 miles because they’re using Merkon LV. That’s definitely when I’ll be changing mine. Drop the pan change the filter add new fluid. Never ever ever do a flush. Bad bad bad. What year and how many miles do you have? I also wondered that I’m glad I’m not the only one experiencing this it just feels different to me. So I usually let it warm up for 2 to 3 minutes and I take it really easy until it gets up to temperature.

 

[Marpater]

LOL. The 10R80 has a normal pan and fill plug on the side. I’m not sure where she’s getting that from. The transmission fluid should be changed every 30,000 miles because they’re using Merkon LV. That’s definitely when I’ll be changing mine. Drop the pan change the filter add new fluid. Never ever ever do a flush. Bad bad bad. What year and how many miles do you have? I also wondered that I’m glad I’m not the only one experiencing this it just feels different to me. So I usually let it warm up for 2 to 3 minutes and I take it really easy until it gets up to temperature.

My Lariat FX4 is a 2021 with less than 6K on it. My request to the service advisor was during the check-in on its first service visit. She really got flustered with me, before I went for the change I looked up on Mr Google how to check the trans fluid on these trucks, so her telling me that it wasn't possible made me laugh. Her manager came over and talked to me ensuring me that they would do the check as requested.
I have been going to this dealership for years, purchased at least 7 new vehicles there, this gal (service adviser my a**) is new, young and speaks, matter of factly, which didn't help, like I didn't have a clue as to what I was saying, I offered to show her the Youtube video of, "How to check the trans fluid on a 19-22 Ranger" she really didn't like that.
I have little tolerance for a 20 something talking to me like I am a wall flower.........

 

[t4thfavor]

^^^^^ THIS ^^^^^

Perhaps it goes without saying, but as someone who performed hundreds of emissions tests back in the day for oil companies testing their fuels and as someone who built a smog chamber for the research institute to test how these fuels impacted smog, I think it is important to highlight the "why" of the EPA testing.

The "Cold Start" portion of the emissions test is important because the first 60 seconds or so is when modern ICEs produce the most harmful emissions. As you can imagine, the engine is not operating as efficiently until it warms up, and more importantly, the catalytic converters require heat to perform their function. Once warm, you would be shocked at how clean the emissions are from modern cars. Gasoline lawn mowers produce way more emissions than a car in the same amount of time.

I also notice that my Ranger is sluggish for the first minute or so. Do I sit and let it warm up before driving? No, not more than maybe 15 seconds. Am I worried about it? Also no.

I changed my dash screen to show gal/hr when idling, it's SHOCKINGLY high at cold start (like 1.9gal/hr) and after the engine is warm, it's somewhere like 0.2 or 0.1gal/hr. This is why the remote starter seems to suck fuel down (because it does).

 

[Apples]

I did! Freudian slip me thinks!

 

[coyote5.0man]

I changed my dash screen to show gal/hr when idling, it's SHOCKINGLY high at cold start (like 1.9gal/hr) and after the engine is warm, it's somewhere like 0.2 or 0.1gal/hr. This is why the remote starter seems to suck fuel down (because it does).

I am going to put mine in this mode. Remote starts really help the engine tho, I am 100% ok spending a little more for gas to have a happy engine.

 

[t4thfavor]

I am going to put mine in this mode. Remote starts really help the engine tho, I am 100% ok spending a little more for gas to have a happy engine.

Idling for more than 30-45 seconds after cold start is too much. Drive slow and light on the throttle is the best to warm up and get your block heated up faster (less blowby = less fuel that seeps into the oil). Idling warms up the engine under an extreme rich condition which is hard on a lot of components and wasteful, and it does nothing to warm up the transmission which is just as important as the engine.

 

[MathGod]

I have a 2019 Lariat with FX4.

Mine has the jerky transmission when I start out. After I get going on the road it stops.

I use the digital speedometer on my left screen. It is fairly accurate for my taste.

 

[Carmell269]

I have a 2019 Lariat FX4, just under 31K miles. Out of force of habit, first start of the day I remote start it and let it warm up for 5 minutes. I’ve never noticed any engine or transmission symptoms, she runs smooth as glass. I don’t bother with the tachometer portion of the display but the couple times I had it in that mode, it is a bit delayed in its reaction to actual engine RPM, but even at that, it’s nothing I care about.

 

[coyote5.0man]

I have a 2019 Lariat FX4, just under 31K miles. Out of force of habit, first start of the day I remote start it and let it warm up for 5 minutes. I’ve never noticed any engine or transmission symptoms, she runs smooth as glass. I don’t bother with the tachometer portion of the display but the couple times I had it in that mode, it is a bit delayed in its reaction to actual engine RPM, but even at that, it’s nothing I care about.

The many reason I have the display on is because it is the only one that has the temp gauge. I know this is not a real temp gauge but it is better than nothing. I cannot believe they removed oil pressure and water temperature completely from the cluster.

 

[Fletch]

The many reason I have the display on is because it is the only one that has the temp gauge. I know this is not a real temp gauge but it is better than nothing. I cannot believe they removed oil pressure and water temperature completely from the cluster.

'19 FX4 Lariat w/Ford pro pack.. A bit cold blooded for a very short time after start. Barely a block. Every quick vehicle I ever owned was, and this qualifies. 3 years and still having fun driving it.

 

[Spurlinb]

I am so thankful for this thread. I just picked mine up on Friday and was about to call the dealership to take it back for them to inspect. When I got home from the dealer , told my spouse I was pretty sure the transmission. was not right. Exactly as described in this thread. 2022 Lariat, 4x4, 501a, black out version. Already have appointment for Toneau cover, mud flaps and raised black RANGER letters for tailgate!

 

[Tooch]

I don't know about sluggish, feels like my transmission is slipping at intial startup (startup and put it in gear), the engine at startup sounds like a jet engine firing up. This was concerning enough to me that I had the dealership check the tranny fluid, they reported back to me that all was normal and if I wanted to make a subsequent appointment they would have their tranny expert look at it. I have my doubts they actually checked the fluid though. The service adviser at first told me that there was no way to check fluid and that the tranny case was a closed case, I looked at her and said, it that what they taught you in service adviser school?
I got the distinct impression I was not the first one to report this kind of behavior.

So they are saying the slipping at first start is normal? Not going to damage the tranny?

 

[Marpater]

So they are saying the slipping at first start is normal? Not going to damage the tranny?

They said they would check it if I made an appointment as it only happens at a cold start. I haven't taken it back and have over 10K on it now. It does still do it but only when cold.

 

[Friday yet?]

Hi idle. When you start any EFI vehicle it will high idle for a few minutes before idling down to around 650 to 750 RPM. I am from the old days and call that a choke as I use to have to pull a lever called "choke."

I laughed... but it was with you. Yep, remember what a choke is...

Had to choke it uphill. Both ways. In the snow. Barefooted. Wrapped barbed wire around my feet for traction.

Now, "Get off my lawn!"

Anybody seen my glasses?

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