Ford got the paddle shifters completely wrong

[WhatExit?]

Well I think all's been said that needs to be said about this topic.

 

[JacobZ06]

Incorrect..

Ford has already been doing this for a few years now. My 2015 explorer sport temporarily switches to manual when a paddle is pulled and will automatically switch back if no further inputs are received. The f150 operations are different because, IT'S A TRUCK. Designed to do TRUCK STUFF. Locking gears out is a wonderful feature for towing and off road use... u know TRUCK STUFF. They designed the system appropriate to the design use of said system. And I for one think they got it right. Then again I don't pretend my truck is a sports car either. If there was anything at all I can find a problem with first on my list would be the fact that paddle shifters are attached to the wheel and not the column (all Ford's) are this way and I don't care for it.

Our 2017 Escape Titanium 6 speed auto is the same. I use the paddles in auto mode mostly to gear down on hills or tight corners. The trans will default to auto mode after a few seconds of steady state driving. This I would like duplicated on the Raptor.

 

[Toadster]

The way Ford integrated the paddle shifters on the Gen 2 in regular drive mode is asinine. I understand that if you're in 'M' for manual it should react to whatever up or down shift you select however in 'D' Drive mode it should work like my wife's Infinity works. If I'm cruising in Drive and I hit '-' it should drop a gear, plain and simple, however it doesn't. Unless you're cruising in the top gear it basically drops the upper limit of the available gears down a notch. So if you're in traffic and your loping along in say 7th and have an opportunity to kick it in the butt and get around something you'll have to hit '-' down shift 4 times before you get a down-shift reaction. And when you're done it'll be stuck with that 6th gear upper range until you upshift.

While in drive it 'should' drop a gear regardless of what gear you're in when you hit a single downshift, and since it's in drive it should upshift whenever it's appropriate again. No muss no fuss.

As it works now it's pointless.

agreed - my AMG drops gears each time i flick the paddle...

 

[troverman]

They’re a bit laggy in my experience.

Engage Sport mode, then pull the shifter into manual and use the paddles. They are much more responsive in this mode. Shifts are definitely quicker.

 

[rtmozingo]

Engage Sport mode, then pull the shifter into manual and use the paddles. They are much more responsive in this mode. Shifts are definitely quicker.

Really!? That's good to know. FWIW I didn't have a problem with response time in Baja mode, and the engine braking was helpful (well, my wife didn't think so, she got seat belt bruises from it)

 

[jaz13]

Really!? That's good to know. FWIW I didn't have a problem with response time in Baja mode, and the engine braking was helpful (well, my wife didn't think so, she got seat belt bruises from it)

Careful with Baja mode because it engages 4H and the diff lock. Don't use either on pavement.

 

[rtmozingo]

Careful with Baja mode because it engages 4H and the diff lock. Don't use either on pavement.

Haha, this was off-road, I'm the first to tell people to stick to the proper mode (or at least, the proper set of modes). Also, Baja defaults 4H diff off. 4H diff locked is currently my favorite way to roll tho.

 

[hkguns]

Engage Sport mode, then pull the shifter into manual and use the paddles. They are much more responsive in this mode. Shifts are definitely quicker.

I will give that a shot. Thanks for the tip, I haven't tried that yet.

 

[gwpfan]

I tow, use off road mode and haul things.
I love the gear lockout, great for towing/hauling - turn the 10 spd into a 6 spd or whatever you'd like especially on curvy mountain roads and yet keep the ease of an automatic, just now a fine tuned automated for driving conditions.
My truck is extremely responsive and I've only used sport mode a few times, didn't like for normal driving it as the added 'engine' noise due to gears held longer. I find the paddle shifters near useless. Sure its nice to lockout gears there vs. on the shifter column. I also don't baby my truck. It's too much fun playing with all that power.

IMO - OP and others agreeing:
1. Drives way to easy and the transmission has learned to be 'laggy' for fuel economy driving style.
2. Don't understand the use of sport mode.
3. Haven't towed/hauled heavy loads to learn the beauty of the gear lockout feature.

BTW - it's rare I've locked out gears in my 17. So far only towing. Transmission is pretty responsive for me

Granted those that like shifting, it's yet available in M mode. Maybe I am just lazy, but I like the automatic and don't really care to play with the gears, that's why I like the lockout feature.
I won't deny though that would be pretty slick if the gear lockout worked like he was saying just downshifted a gear from the gear you were actually in, but to say they got it completely wrong is a bit harsh. I would agree with it could be 'enhanced' but it's pretty damn good as it is.

 

[lawdog]

The only issue I have coming from a regular 5 or 6 speed auto/manual is the sheer number of gears when you're simply trying to gear down on an incline or coming into a curve in auto/normal...having to drop 5-6 gears takes too long/somewhat defeats the purpose. I'm still learning/adjusting my driving to the Raptors peccadilloes, including using Sport mode to drop a gear, then use the manual gears.