Looking at a 2013 SE 5spd - Talk me into a Powershift

[vacman]

Originally Posted by Kabigon

I didn't realize that there were a significant number of DCT owners stalling on the freeway or having their transmission slam into gear.

No need to change your driving habits if you know how to drive properly to begin with.

It's not transmission failure, it's his driving habits. Just like everyone else's issues. Easily remedied by learning to drive like Kabigon, apparently.

[Kabigon]

Originally Posted by vacman

It's not transmission failure, it's his driving habits. Just like everyone else's issues. Easily remedied by learning to drive like Kabigon, apparently.

You are misinformed.

There certainly have been DCTs that have had (or still have) mechanical issues. I would suggest doing a search of this forum.

However, one's driving habits (particularly a smooth application of throttle) will often make a difference as to the operation of the DCT.

[opies]

Well, I wish I could say my transmission has remained smooth. Just got into my moms in MD from MI. Did great on the highway, but pulling away from the first light off the highway the transmission shuddered so bad I thought something was going to break. It continued to misbehave at every light. A few times there was a rattling between gears that sounded like a heat shield was loose somewhere.

Traction control on or off makes no difference.

Sent from my MB860 using FF Mobile

[FordCustomerService]

Originally Posted by opies

Well, I wish I could say my transmission has remained smooth. Just got into my moms in MD from MI. Did great on the highway, but pulling away from the first light off the highway the transmission shuddered so bad I thought something was going to break. It continued to misbehave at every light. A few times there was a rattling between gears that sounded like a heat shield was loose somewhere.

Traction control on or off makes no difference.

Sent from my MB860 using FF Mobile

Hi opies,

This is just a reminder that I can help by escalating your case. Send me your information via PM (VIN, dealer, mileage, daytime phone number, and full name) so I can get your regional customer service manager involved.

Crystal

[opies]

Originally Posted by FordCustomerService

Hi opies,

This is just a reminder that I can help by escalating your case. Send me your information via PM (VIN, dealer, mileage, daytime phone number, and full name) so I can get your regional customer service manager involved.

Crystal

Crystal,

I don't have a "case" yet. I did not bring this up to my dealer because when I took the car in I was under the impression I had fixed the issue by fixing how I drove it. Since I created that post, driving around metro DC I am only experiencing minimal shuddering. What I believe the dealer would call normal.

However, I will send you my information regarding the headliner. Its failing at 3 of its mounting points and the info and pictures the dealer sent off to Ford warranted a " does not need replacement. Fix or repair." My dealer does not have a tech comfortable with performing the repair, so they are going to send it out.

Sent from my MB860 using FF Mobile

[Chewie12]

Wait talk you into a powershift? ><

[offroad]

Funny huh?
Ordered the wife a 5spd, should arrive in 4-6 weeks now per our dealer.

[RonMaiden]

I was wondering what you decided after 12 pages and just reading this thread would've made me not even consider a DCT. The DCT might shift quicker but at the dragstrip the 5 speed is the winner.

[offroad]

Originally Posted by RonMaiden

I was wondering what you decided after 12 pages and just reading this thread would've made me not even consider a DCT.

We started out looking at 5spd's and before reading much here, I posted this thread. Looks like quite a few are happy with the DCT, but the level of those who aren't would make me too nervous about getting a bad one.

The one we test drove had a a bit of shudder but nothing else I noticed.
I was driving it like I'd stolen it though, so not sure what it would be like under normal driving.
Anyway the wife is looking forward to her new 5spd, here's hoping it gets 40+ mpg like some apparently do.

I was surprised how few 5spd's were on local dealers lots, and to get what she wanted we had to order it.

[gkirk]

Originally Posted by AZfocus2012

I tried to convey something similar a few pages back, all you have to do is adjust your driving style to the automated systems in place in the vehicle and most all of the DCT issues are gone, minus known mechanical ones.

I guess if you drove a manual for years and the clutch engagement point was high in the pedal travel and you bought car B and the engagement point was low in the pedal travel near the floor and the car constantly stalled in intersections because you failed to anticipate the engagement point and give the appropriate amount of gas at the correct time, the manufacture has failed, because you are going to have to adjust the way you drive the car to get the desired result? Every manual shift car and truck I have driven, and I have driven several, I have had to adjust the amount of gas given taking into consideration 4,6, or 8 cylinders and or diesel, and where and how the clutch engages. With a little practice, I am able to get the same drive ability out of each, but I can't drive them all the same way and expect the same results. So why is it so hard to comprehend, that you might have to make some adjustments to your driving style to get good drive ability out of a DCT?

This is such a fantastic point. I've had my focus for almost 1.5 years, 25k miles. When the warm weather comes, i expect i'll get the grinding again when it shifts, but otherwise the DCT is really great.

Whenever i drive a regular tranny now, I realize how great the DCT is and how used to it I've gotten. You do need to learn it's behavior a little though.

And overall, while the grinding is annoying as hell, the car is so great otherwise.. well, i'm really enjoying it now.