DCT / PowerShift Transmission Update TSB Thread

[allyy]

Originally Posted by kam327

You should at least test drive the powershift to see how you like it. It seems that most people who have one like it.

From what i read on this forum most people do not like it ,they are all gripeing

[kam327]

Originally Posted by allyy

From what i read on this forum most people do not like it ,they are all gripeing

There are many who have said they have no problems and I think it's true that more people come on to these forums to gripe than to shower praise. So this forum is probably not a realistic sample of all Focus owners.

[suss6052]

Originally Posted by allyy

From what i read on this forum most people do not like it ,they are all gripeing

Again they wouldn't be on a forum generally to sing the car's praises, but the small but vocal community doesn't make up the entire population of people who have the cars, and those who are happy tend not to yell and stick out their necks about it, even if the car was fine for them.

I've seen both sides of the issue from a distance, as I am still contemplating acquiring one sometime soon (a 2012 Focus that is), that if all the vocal complaints were accurate how could they disprove the good experience I had in both a test track environment, as well as in an abused rental car that was stained and a bit dirty inside, but mechanically shifted like silk being pulled across skin. Mathematically the DCT is the more efficient gearbox at freeway speeds, even though it does cost more upfront and is far more sophisticated than the simple sliding gear single clutch manual. The manual which by the way was coming from Germany when the DCT was coming from Mexico.

I do not mind and actually enjoy shifting gears myself, as long as I'm not caught in block to block, heavy traffic, but besides the slightly larger tires effectively tweaking the gearing taller the new Focus manual isn't really geared any better than my old and current car. It also weighs more which hurts mpg in city driving when its that inertia that you need to overcome to get the car moving, however on the freeway its engine speed and aerodynamics that play a larger component than vehicle weight, at least on level pavement.

[Rogerschro]

Originally Posted by suss6052

Again they wouldn't be on a forum generally to sing the car's praises, but the small but vocal community doesn't make up the entire population of people who have the cars, and those who are happy tend not to yell and stick out their necks about it, even if the car was fine for them

Also earlier on when someone who DID like their DCT said so the one who were having problems went after those positive comments and said in effect shut up, this is about the PROBLEMS not the good stuff!! So most just quit trying to say how it isn't ALL bad.

[st falcon]

Originally Posted by Rogerschro

Also earlier on when someone who DID like their DCT said so the one who were having problems went after those positive comments and said in effect shut up, this is about the PROBLEMS not the good stuff!! So most just quit trying to say how it isn't ALL bad.

yep! I like it, with S mode its there when i want it to be, and in D it's smooth and efficient. its a fact that a DCT isnt as mushy as a conventional auto, and maybe thats why people dont think the DCT is smooth...its a different beast, and people like kam327 can voice their concerns while remaining objective.

[BigFuzzyArchon]

i like the DCT 1000x better than a traditional automatic.

[bsp_53]

My DCT is far superior to any "automatic" I've ever owned or driven. Is it perfect? No. But then again, what is? Since having the TSB applied and enjoying the tranny holding gears a bit longer before the upshift, I like it all the more.

[dan50]

Originally Posted by allyy

From what i read on this forum most people do not like it ,they are all gripeing

IMHO, the DCT represents more of a crap-shoot than any major component of any car you can buy today. You should take a really long test drive, or better yet rent one before you buy. Even if you like what you drive, you can't be sure the one you actually get will behave the same way.

You odds of getting a good one are pretty high, but not 100%. To make matters slightly worse, if you do have problems, the dealer network seems somewhat unprepared to fix them. This may be inevitable when a completely new technology is introduced, but it is the situation owners have to deal with.

Me? Mine behaves OK most of the time, though it has high temperature shudder at launch, is rather difficult to drive smoothly and, because it upshifts really early, can feel sluggish. So I guess I'm not a fan...can't help but think how much better it would be with a contemporary 6 speed conventional automatic.

[r1derbike]

Most of us love our DCTs...when they work right! I love mine!

Most of us hate our DCTs...when they don't work right. See a trend here?

I would not want the DCT without select-shift, but that's just me.

If they would just make the select-shift gear changes much quicker, it would be better. Always room for improvement.

[thelongone13]

Mine seems to get me now. I've driven a few Foci, but the others were just LAGGY. This one seems to hold 1st long enough not to just dog on me. The one thing they NEED to change? A GOD DAMNED GATED SHIFTER DAMMIT. I HATE the selectshift rocker thing, NEVER use it. The MINI has a gated shifter, and that adds so much to the driving experience. Without the gates, I'd rather have a manual, honestly.