New Ranger Owner

[JeffAntonucci]

I just purchased a new 2023 XLT Shadow black with black out appearance package on Saturday. I'm coming from a Sport Trak I bought new in 2009. I have many questions but the first one is about an off idle hesitation. Its really annoying to try and drive smoothly as it seems to stumble or try to decide which gear to go get. Every Ranger I test drove did this. I assume its normal? Thanks in advance.

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[Superdannyboy]

Ahh yes, time for a tune.

 

[Racket]

Nice looking trucks. I think your experience is overall going to be good although being on this forum is likely going to cost you extra over time but from the looks of the truck you bought new in 2009 it appears you might be that kind of truck owner .

The 'stumble' may be the system 'learning' and all I can suggest immediately is to commit to mid-grade or higher gas. The truck's fuel system adapts to various octane levels and I'd bet the dealer just puts in half a tank of 87 octane on the lot.

Spring the money to top off with premium at least the first fillup and then try midgrade for a while. Use the Sport mode occasionally but don't shift manually via the shifter switches in that mode. I hope your dealer - like mine did - will have you back for an early first oil change. I went to Ford synthetic and haven't looked back. The 'stumblle' is intermittent for me still at almost 40K miles and seems related to temperatures, changes in fuel (even seasonal blends) though ethanol percentages don't appear to have much of an impact at low speed/take off.

That's been my impression anyway. I've done some things to change the way my truck drives including the hotly-debated catch can and a custom tune so there's that.

(Hint) if you are looking for exterior accessories Bushwhacker Trail Armor sill protection and the AVS hood deflector would be my first recommendations.

 

[BS67]

Welcome Jeff!

 

[Jason B]

Nice. I didn't think 5G's were still available. I haven't seen one on a lot for months, but my local Ford has 3 Mach E's and tons of F150's on his lot.

 

[IdahoRanger]

Welcome, Jeff. Some of the quirks you mention you will not notice after driving the truck a bit. As was mentioned getting a tune really wakes the truck up and helps with the shifting.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

Welcome Jeff,

I’m sure your 10-spd transmission’s indecisiveness will wane in time.

I think you’re going to love your new Ranger and some lucky soul is going to love that Sport Trac. It’s a beauty and I’m sure you’ll keep your Ranger looking that great too.

You’ll soon learn that you need to use completely different cleaning and detailing products on your Ranger than you did on the Sport Trac.

 

[Jason B]

I just purchased a new 2023 XLT Shadow black with black out appearance package on Saturday. I'm coming from a Sport Trak I bought new in 2009. I have many questions but the first one is about an off idle hesitation. Its really annoying to try and drive smoothly as it seems to stumble or try to decide which gear to go get. Every Ranger I test drove did this. I assume its normal? Thanks in advance.

1st. Is it Auto Start Stop? You can turn that off.
2nd. Drive in TOW mode. That lets the engine rev just a bit higher and just about eliminates gear hunting. Plus it will automatically turn of ASS.

 

[Superdannyboy]

I went like a full 2 years before getting the tune, and when I did it made the shifting sooooo much better. Even the stock can tune that came with the sct bdx had way better shifting, plus it finally chirped the 33" tires I had. Even with stock size tires the shifting sucked, and that dang fan was always on when turning on the truck and taking off. The tune fixed that too.

 

[MXGOLF]

Welcome Jeff to this great forum and the awesome 5G Ranger. Yes I agree with most a tune will fix that hesitation and the shifting problem. I really like my Unleashed tune but the Ford Performance one is apparently good as is a few others. Enjoy your new toy!!!

 

[MY23RANGER]

Welcome Jeff

 

[Grumpaw]

Welcome.
As Jason posted, start using at least midgrade for daily use. And start using the tow mode for everyday driving. Have used mid and premium since day one, and the first button I engage when I start up is the tow mode, and I've never experienced any stumble or hesitation. I'm not running a tune...still stock.
Just forget regular 87 stuff and regular "drive" mode.....bet you will notice an immediate improvement.

 

[5thranger]

I just purchased a new 2023 XLT Shadow black with black out appearance package on Saturday. I'm coming from a Sport Trak I bought new in 2009. I have many questions but the first one is about an off idle hesitation. Its really annoying to try and drive smoothly as it seems to stumble or try to decide which gear to go get. Every Ranger I test drove did this. I assume its normal? Thanks in advance.

I bet that dealership was crazy as a cat in heat for that Sport Trak, looks like it was a good one.

 

[Racket]

I wasn't going to lead with recommending a tune right away - if you have a tolerance for pain and frustration I'd recommend the UPR dual vacuum catch can first. Especially if you think you'll keep it as long as the Sport Trac.

I don't know about all the tuners out there but I've been told by the owner of Unleashed Tuning that if buy theirs and in your specific tune request the @TORQUERULES shift strategy he'll disable the adaptive learning on top of tweaking some shift points in addition to the performance for your octane preference. The Adaptive Learning 'feature' of the 10R80 seemed like a cool idea until it seemed no one is happy with what the transmission 'learns.'

 

[hookem57]

I just purchased a new 2023 XLT Shadow black with black out appearance package on Saturday. I'm coming from a Sport Trak I bought new in 2009. I have many questions but the first one is about an off idle hesitation. Its really annoying to try and drive smoothly as it seems to stumble or try to decide which gear to go get. Every Ranger I test drove did this. I assume its normal? Thanks in advance.

Welcome.

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