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Anyone Have Experience with Ford Select-Shift?

InertiaFaze

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InertiaFaze Enthusiast

InertiaFaze

Posted
Posted

Kind of an odd question in a GM Truck forum, but wondering if anyone has had experience with Ford's Select-Shift automatic transmission features?

 

I know it's been out there for a while (2011?), but if you've driven it, did you use this feature, did you understand how it works, and did you like it?

 

I won't claim to be an expert on Select-Shift, but from what I gathered here is how it works....

  • If you are in Drive and you use the tap switch to tap up or down you enter a mode that controls that controls the transmission "range" (the range of gears the trans will select from).
  • So if you're in D in 6th gear and you tap down you'll be in a mode that will limit the trans to gears 1-5, and so on. Pretty much the same way the GM 6-Spd transmission work in the M position.
  • In this mode the IP shows both the range of gears available. It also show the current gear by highlighting that character.
  • However, if you move your shifter (floor or column?) to the M position you are now controlling the gear the transmission is operating in as opposed to the range.
  • This allows you to lock in a specific gear and keep it locked in. The transmission may eventually shift out of that gear on its own if necessary to prevent the engine from stalling.

 

So the ultimate question is, would it be worthwhile for GM to offer a feature like this? Would you like the ability to control both the transmission range and / or the transmission gear? Does having a visual on the IP help understand the difference between range and gear? Does displaying the current gear add any value?

 

Are these features ones that you would like to have in your GM truck??

Carder09 Senior Enthusiast

Carder09

Posted
Posted

I drove a 2011 350 in the desert and it had what you were explaining. I like how it displays what gear you are in and wouldn't mind if they put it on the new trucks but I really wouldn't care if they did the gear selector thing.

music Senior Enthusiast

music

Posted
Posted

Yes, I'd prefer to see the gear selected... and like the idea of seeing the others too. However... I don't care for the newer ipod like LCD interfaces, as opposed to our LED types. I *really* don't like the "feel" of the gear selector on the new F150. It feels like a toy controller. I realize that the days of solid mechanical detents, etc. are probably coming to an end... but I prefer them by a long shot. Keep in mind, however, that I don't like "busy" gizmo dashes, and prefer real mechanical knobs/switches vs momentary push-button stuff. I think this is the beginning of my generation gap... :(

2010LTZ4x4 Enthusiast

2010LTZ4x4

Posted
Posted

I would like to see what gear the tranny is in on the IP while in D mode. When in manual mode I can already see what gear its in.

InertiaFaze Enthusiast

InertiaFaze

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I would like to see what gear the tranny is in on the IP while in D mode. When in manual mode I can already see what gear its in.

 

 

Agree with your comment about "D mode", but when in manual mode the IP displays the "range", ie the top gear available in that range, not the gear. For example, when the IP display M5, gears 1-5 are all available (not 6th) depending on speed and accel pedal conditions. It is true that when you move the shift lever from D to M, the number next to the M displays the gear that was active at the time the shift lever was moved, but gear is allowed to change as conditions change.

 

I'm sure you get what I'm saying, but just wanted to point out that the number next the M doesn't always represent the current gear.

music Senior Enthusiast

music

Posted
Posted

Re-reading your original post, I get the impression that maybe you're not asking just for the fun of it, but maybe you're working on the display for the new truck. If that's true, then maybe you're working with a LCD display panel, and can "show whatever you want". I'm a little disappointed w/ the idea of the LCD stuff, but understand that this is the kind of display people are coming to expect on new vehicles and gadgets.

 

That said, I like the idea of having the range displayed, with the current gear highlighted... e.g., [ 1 2 3 4 5 . ]

2010LTZ4x4 Enthusiast

2010LTZ4x4

Posted
Posted

I would like to see what gear the tranny is in on the IP while in D mode. When in manual mode I can already see what gear its in.

 

 

Agree with your comment about "D mode", but when in manual mode the IP displays the "range", ie the top gear available in that range, not the gear. For example, when the IP display M5, gears 1-5 are all available (not 6th) depending on speed and accel pedal conditions. It is true that when you move the shift lever from D to M, the number next to the M displays the gear that was active at the time the shift lever was moved, but gear is allowed to change as conditions change.

 

I'm sure you get what I'm saying, but just wanted to point out that the number next the M doesn't always represent the current gear.

 

When in M mode, starting out from a stop 1 is showing until I tap the "+" than its 2, then 3 and so on. Or gearing down the same happens but of course in reverse 3 2 1 .

But you are right if I select M mode while in 5 it will show the current gear and not change as the tranny is gearing down or up and it should.

Just curious but why do you ask about this ? Do you work for GM and are looking for GM owners input. Cause I got a list a mile long of things that could be improved.

Doug_Scott Senior Enthusiast

Doug_Scott

Posted
Posted

Ford used to have the start in 2nd gear option back in the 60's. Really liked that option for winter driving. Sounds like it is back in the select shift. It is a great feature, would like to have that in my truck now. Sometimes starting in 2nd gear is nice to have in snow.

InertiaFaze Enthusiast

InertiaFaze

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I agree with your comment about 2nd gear starts. It has actually been available in many GM trucks over the years. Virtually all 4L60 trans equipped trucks (and I think 4L80 too, but not 100% sure) have had 2nd gear starts when the shift lever is in the "2" position. Trucks with the 6L80 trans have not had 2nd gear starts, but 2500/3500 HD trucks with the 6L90 trans have had 2nd gear starts in "M2".

 

Because the Select-Shift system gives you control of range OR gear my experience is that with the shift lever in the "M" position (gear control) you can select up to M3 and actually launch in 3rd gear. When you try to select a gear higher than 3rd when the truck is stopped the three flashes for a couple of seconds and then stays solid on M3.

MikeNH Senior Enthusiast

MikeNH

Posted
Posted

Supposedly if you put a 6L80E in M2 the throttle is remapped to allow a gentler start, like being in second gear.

 

 

Fun fact- you can make the new Dodge Avenger/Chrysler 200 start in 5th or 6th if you're gentle. :lol:

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

InertiaFaze Enthusiast

InertiaFaze

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I know that the A1000 (Allison Transmission) in the 2500/3500 HDs with the Duramax ask for a torque reduction when in M2, This reduces the output torque to somewhere between 2nd gear and 3rd gear levels.

 

The 6L80 in 1500 series trucks and SUVs doesn't do any torque reduction or throttle progression changes in M2 related to reducing output torque at launch. It starts in 1st gear at normal torque levels.

 

But back to the Select-Shift question:

 

  • The Ford tap range in drive is pretty similar to GM tap range in M
  • However Ford's Tap gear in M is something the GM trucks don't have, and while it would give you the ability to launch in a higher gear, it would also give you the ability to control gear in hilly or trailering conditions if you really wanted to be in control.

 

Anyone else actually experience Ford's Select-Shift that has an opinion - or - understands it well enough to know whether or not you'd like to see it in a GM truck?

MikeNH Senior Enthusiast

MikeNH

Posted
Posted

I thought I read something about it doing that. Whatever. But to answer your question, no I would not care to see that feature. Many of my past trucks allowed a 2nd gear start and I never needed it.

InertiaFaze Enthusiast

InertiaFaze

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Sorry dude, the question was not how does it work - or do you like it in your ford pickup........the question was have you experienced it and do you think it is something you would like in the Chevy or GMC pickup. That question is pretty relevant in a GM Truck Forum.

 

There isn't anyone who loves GM products more than I do. But they do evolve over time, so is this a direction they should evolve in?

Carder09 Senior Enthusiast

Carder09

Posted
Posted

Like I stated before, I did use most of the features, In D mode, you can use the +/- on the shifter to limit what gear the truck shift into, doing that will also allow the truck to not use any "safety modes" to upshift the tranny if you are about to grenade that thing from bouncing the rpms all the way max, maybe useful in towing but not my cup of tea; Driving in M mode is ok, being automatic, it isn't as responsive as having a manual tranny so I'm not sure why they have both the modes being that they basically are doing the same thing just one letting you shift with the +/- button. Also I think the manual mode will shift up for you after awhile but I haven't driven that turd since the desert so I can't remember. Let GM add what gear your in display and I'll be happy.

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