I can't figure this one out...

[madchassey]

So guys, I've been having some issues with the truck lately but the big one is the fact that the truck is shifting funky. Cold in the first 15 min of driving the truck, it's delay shifting 1-2 and occasionally 6-7. It was a bit low on fluid so that's topped off, which was yesterday. It still does it but it's not as bad as before. After the truck is up to operational temp, or at least the transmission, it shifts just fine. I'm under the impression that if I had transmission issues, it would happen hot and cold but it just happens cold. Full disclosure, I have the PPE extended pan on it as well.

Should I prepare myself for the transmission to take a dump or could it be as something as simple as the fluid being low and it's doing its learning thing or whatever?

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[ctechbob]

It is likely your valve body being a tad slow with the thicker (cold) fluid. Try a 10oz bottle of Lubegard Platinum and report back. It will help clean up anything in there and free up some of the slow valves.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002MB57UI/ref=twister_B016YBDYF6?_encoding=UTF8&th=1

Normal dose is 1oz per qt, our transmissions hold about 12 quarts. 10oz will work fine, if you're a stickler for details, order the 15oz bottle and use 12oz of it.

Depending on how close to full your fluid is, you might need to suck out a little to make room.

The sooner you can free up the valve body and get it working properly, the more damage you'll prevent down the road.

 

[LawnMM]

It's normal. I notice the same on a cold start, I go easy till it's in third then womp it a little to get the juices flowing. By the time it down shifts and starts shifting back up through the gears a second time it's usually smoothing out as the fluid comes up to temp.

 

[ctechbob]

It's normal. I notice the same on a cold start, I go easy till it's in third then womp it a little to get the juices flowing. By the time it down shifts and starts shifting back up through the gears a second time it's usually smoothing out as the fluid comes up to temp.

Have you ever looked at your fluid temps? They don't warm up nearly that fast.

It's also not normal. We've been getting down to the low 20's here lately and mine is just as smooth as it is when warm. Having a slow valve in the transmission is an excellent way to flare or bind a shift, and neither one of those is a good thing.

I'm not being argumentative, just things I've learned over 4 years that can hopefully keep people from grenading these things.

--Edit--

https://datazap.me/u/ctechbob/log-1705740120?log=0&data=1-2-3-4-5

That data log is from last year. Ambient temp was around 25f. My normal 15 mile drive to work. Truck starts off absolutely stone cold. Trans temp is reported as 23f. Max trans temp is just over 165f, which is where I would consider it to start getting into 'normal' range. (Real normal is right around 200f). Takes forever for the engine to warm as well, especially if you're using the heat. These stupid little things just don't make tons of heat these days.

 

[got3fords]

How did you check your fluid, do you have the Fitzstick? Was it warmed up? Yes, toss a bottle of Lubegard Platinum in there.

 

[GhostStrykre]

yeah, try letting your truck warm up for 3-5 minutes before driving and see if the issues resolve. for me, i always let my truck warm up for 5 minutes or so, especially in the winter. it just drives smoother if i do so.

 

[Big Blue]

yeah, try letting your truck warm up for 3-5 minutes before driving and see if the issues resolve. for me, i always let my truck warm up for 5 minutes or so, especially in the winter. it just drives smoother if i do so.

I tend to agree with the couple minute "warm up" especially the first start of the day. I don't think it is the temperature though. I think it is more getting the fluid that drains down while sitting, back up where it needs to be and all the pressures back to where they need to be.

I find that if I get in the truck start it, then buckle up and do all the little pre-flight routines, the first shifts are normal. In the winter I do use remote start so the heated seats have a little extra time to warm up. Especially when it is -3 F, like it was this morning here.

 

[RangerPNW]

So mine used to clunk a bit with cold temperatures as well, however since installing my Ford Performance tune its extremely rare that I get a clunky shift.

 

[Willier]

Prewarming the truck helps me on a cold day, and can’t help the transmission!

 

[got3fords]

Prewarming the truck helps me on a cold day, and can’t help the transmission!

You mean can't hurt the transmission?

 

[Msfitoy]

My tranny PTSD got triggered...

 

[HeatXfer]

That deep tranny pan does a good job of keeping the trans fluid on the cool side. Before I installed the stock depth PPE I could get up to 200° after ½hr of 3k rpm in 3rd gear. Now it takes the same amount of time just to get to get 180°. On a hot day towing it's no problem, but it'll never hit the recommended +200° tooling around town.

 

[AzScorpion]

yeah, try letting your truck warm up for 3-5 minutes before driving and see if the issues resolve. for me, i always let my truck warm up for 5 minutes or so, especially in the winter. it just drives smoother if i do so.

This is what I do and (so far) have no problem. Growing up in MA where if was very cold you learn fast that things just need more time to warm up when it's really cold outside. Now, after living in AZ for 10 years I'm back in the cold (but nothing like MA winters) and don't drive all that much. I'll remote start my truck in the house and just listen and wait for the rpm's to drop then go out and leave. It's been in the teens at night and upper 20's with this cold front and it drives smoothly doing this.

 

[Fordup]

Mine has acted the same since new. Hates cold weather and shifts like crap for the first couple miles even after warming up some. I was told it's normal for them. Never had a tranny like it before.

 

[Frenchy]

Things to keep in mind with the 10R80 transmission. When cold it will act funky. Might be a delay shift or even a hard shift. Pretty normal when cold. Making sure you have the correct transmission fluid level is important. Make sure you check that level when the transmission is up to operating temperature. Too much transmission fluid is worse than two little transmission fluid.

That's but not least you should not have that PPE deep pan. The standard pan is more than enough

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