Manual shifting while in Drive

[Booker’s Bronco]

Today I accidentally downshifted while in Drive and discovered I could up and down shift without being in Manual mode. Is this normal? I assumed it would have to be in Manual to do that.

Sponsored

 

[4xFord]

Totally normal. Really comes in handy when you're driving in the mountains. Allows you to downshift without riding your brakes the whole way down.

 

[Dan-O]

Yes you can downshift or upshift while in Drive. Difference is in drive it will automatically shift back to recommended gear if RPMs get to high. In manual it will not shift on its own. At least that’s how mine works on ‘21 and ‘23.

 

[ThunderFlash]

I had assumed the same thing about Manual until I accidentally bumped the +/- button with my knee and it down shifted. I was at first concerned, but learned it was per design. It's great for hills or if you want to spool 'er up for a dramatic pass on two lane road! Down hill, it seems to hold the selected gear as long as you're off the gas. Once back on the gas, it will auto shift after maybe 5 or 8 seconds.

 

[Spooled]

Yup. Comes in handy while using cruise control and you can "pre" downshift before a hill so it doesn't lose momentum before downshifting

 

[NC_Oak]

totally normall but the computer takes back over after a few seconds.

I use this quite a bit and def in 4LO (which it also works in) when I disagree with the gear

 

[NMWildtrak]

I use it all the time when I'm running in Baja Mode. Sometimes I get a straight that I don't need the revs of the lower gear so I'll shift up to cut down on the noise.

 

[BillyB]

Good to know...all good replies here...also see pg 200 in the e-manual...

 

[DALOLA]

lol... it's the stupidest thing ever. It's just a temporary shift. They have an awesome Select-Shift program in the F-series, but some dumbass decided to make it completely pointless for the Bronco.... One of my biggest gripes....

 

[ThunderFlash]

lol... it's the stupidest thing ever. It's just a temporary shift. They have an awesome Select-Shift program in the F-series, but some dumbass decided to make it completely pointless for the Bronco.... One of my biggest gripes....

Maybe it's because I've never driven the F150 Select-Shift, but I think it's great. I have a considerable 50 mph hill about 300 yards from my house. I bump it down to 5th or 6th and it holds 55-60 mph in the 3500+/- rpm range all the way down with a few brake taps and at the bottom the tranny takes over after a few seconds. Didn't know holding the + button would cancel the selection. I guess some people still read manuals. I also like it in mud & ruts w/ 4L. It holds a gear for a long time and I can bump it up to 2nd or 3rd once over an obstacle.

 

[DALOLA]

Maybe it's because I've never driven the F150 Select-Shift, but I think it's great. I have a considerable 50 mph hill about 300 yards from my house. I bump it down to 5th or 6th and it holds 55-60 mph in the 3500+/- rpm range all the way down with a few brake taps and at the bottom the tranny takes over after a few seconds. Didn't know holding the + button would cancel the selection. I guess some people still read manuals. I also like it in mud & ruts w/ 4L. It holds a gear for a long time and I can bump it up to 2nd or 3rd once over an obstacle.

Sure, compared to not having anything (Maverick team are you listening??), it seems great. Compared to how it works in the F-series, it's garbage. (there are some threads discussing the differences, if you are interested) It's annoying, because all they (Ford) had to do was copy/paste the excellent system they already have.

 

[ThunderFlash]

Sure, compared to not having anything (Maverick team are you listening??), it seems great. Compared to how it works in the F-series, it's garbage. (there are some threads discussing the differences, if you are interested) It's annoying, because all they (Ford) had to do was copy/paste the excellent system they already have.

Hum, do you know if there is any chance of unlocking it with FORscan?

 

[Ducati1098]

Hum, do you know if there is any chance of unlocking it with FORscan?

You can’t modify shifting with Forscan. A custom tune on the other hand may be able to change it

 

[not on the rug]

lol... it's the stupidest thing ever. It's just a temporary shift. They have an awesome Select-Shift program in the F-series, but some dumbass decided to make it completely pointless for the Bronco.... One of my biggest gripes....

They should have offered Manual on all the Broncos or at least paddle shifters. Driving in auto is lame and thumb-shifting is even more lame

 

[BroncoChallenger]

Sure, compared to not having anything (Maverick team are you listening??), it seems great. Compared to how it works in the F-series, it's garbage. (there are some threads discussing the differences, if you are interested) It's annoying, because all they (Ford) had to do was copy/paste the excellent system they already have.

Considering the main use of the feature in the F-series trucks is to lock out higher gears when hauling or towing heavy loads, it comes as no surprise that it isn't a similar feature in a vehicle that is rated to tow 3500 lbs.

Yes, on my F350 I can lock out gears so it will only shift up to a certain point. I use it on cold mornings to keep it out of the top two gears to warm up faster, once it's warmed up it can have all ten gears back.

But on our Bronco, which isn't meant for towing and has the louvers in the grill to restrict airflow and help it warm up faster, there isn't really a use for a gear lock-out feature in most situations, other than some of the ones noted above. For the vehicle's application, it works fairly well, and if you need it to hold a particular gear, you simply have to switch to manual and hold it that way.

I do agree, though, that it would be nice if manual mode came with paddle shifters and/or using the gear shifter to up/down shift. Using a thumb button just sucks, and I have the same complaint about the manual shift mode in the truck. I would prefer to have something other than buttons on the shift lever. Some of us still know what it feels like to row through the gears ourselves.

Sponsored