Harsh Shifting

[Badgertits]

People got mad last time I said this.....but essentially this is a GM tranny, every GM vehicle I’ve owned that had an auto tranny mated to a high HP/TQ engine (in GMs case all V8s) whether it was 4 speeds in my Silverado/GTO/Camaro, 6 speed in my G8 GT or Sierra, 8 speed in 2 more sierras or this 10 speed- once the vehicle was broken in, on cold starts especially in colder ambient temps, the first initial shift into D or R can be abrupt/rough/harsh whatever ya wanna call it. Sometimes subsequent upshifts or downshifts were also rough- but once warmed up began shifting smoother & all is fine.

If the rough shifting doesn’t go away & persists even after the trucks warmed up, if you have RPM surge or flare without accompanying upshift/downshift, and/or that is followed by a “REAL” rough slamming shift- then you may have actual issues- could be TC, could be incorrect fluid type and/or level, could be clutch packs gear ring seals or something like that- could also be software related.

 

[FordTechOne]

People got mad last time I said this.....but essentially this is a GM tranny, every GM vehicle I’ve owned that had an auto tranny mated to a high HP/TQ engine (in GMs case all V8s) whether it was 4 speeds in my Silverado/GTO/Camaro, 6 speed in my G8 GT or Sierra, 8 speed in 2 more sierras or this 10 speed- once the vehicle was broken in, on cold starts especially in colder ambient temps, the first initial shift into D or R can be abrupt/rough/harsh whatever ya wanna call it. Sometimes subsequent upshifts or downshifts were also rough- but once warmed up began shifting smoother & all is fine.

If the rough shifting doesn’t go away & persists even after the trucks warmed up, if you have RPM surge or flare without accompanying upshift/downshift, and/or that is followed by a “REAL” rough slamming shift- then you may have actual issues- could be TC, could be incorrect fluid type and/or level, could be clutch packs gear ring seals or something like that- could also be software related.

You are only half right.

GM and Ford co-developed this transmission. In other words, 2 of the largest companies in the world with 200+ years worth of combined engineering experience built this transmission with a clean sheet design to be the most efficient, most durable, most compact (relatively speaking), and fastest shifting planetary automatic on the market. There are subtle differences between both, but the software is probably the biggest variation.

 

[GCATX]

You are only half right.

GM and Ford co-developed this transmission. In other words, 2 of the largest companies in the world with 200+ years worth of combined engineering experience built this transmission with a clean sheet design to be the most efficient, most durable, most compact (relatively speaking), and fastest shifting planetary automatic on the market. There are subtle differences between both, but the software is probably the biggest variation.

My wife's Escalade has the 10 speed, it doesn't seem to have any of the bad habits of the Raptor.

I had mine reflashed early this year, seemed to help for a good while. Then, however many months later, it went back to occasionally slamming into D, super lazy upshift into 8th with visible rise in RPM's (everytime after warm), in Sport mode, slamming into 5th. I can only assume that my normal driving pattern is no bueno and it's learning something bad, who knows.

I did reset the adaptive learning with Forscan last week. Haven't had a single slam into D, 8th now shifts like every other gear everytime, and 5th in sport is much more subdued, still a little stiff, but nothing like it was before.

 

[Badgertits]

You are only half right.

GM and Ford co-developed this transmission. In other words, 2 of the largest companies in the world with 200+ years worth of combined engineering experience built this transmission with a clean sheet design to be the most efficient, most durable, most compact (relatively speaking), and fastest shifting planetary automatic on the market. There are subtle differences between both, but the software is probably the biggest variation.

I know it was co-developed, but while neither company has the most stellar record when it comes to transmissions, but I think GM is clearly the superior manufacturer of that particular component - their relationship/union w/ Allisson I'm sure doesn't hurt. GM actually was tasked w/ focusing on a new 9 speed auto geared more toward smaller SUV's/cars while Ford did more of the legwork on the 10 speed - but over the years GM has been the US manufacturer producing their own in-house auto trannies on a consistent basis (regardless of whether they're solid units or complete turds).

That being said - while the majority of the vehicles I've owned have been GM products, I've had a few auto tranny equipped Fords & this 10 speed simply smacks of GM feel/behavior to me, for better or worse.

I think there's definitely something to consider when it comes to the adaptive learning algorithms & programming set from the factory & how that can in turn display behavior that seems more like mechanical quirks when it really isn't. Which, on a side note, reminds me again of just how INSANE people are to be running tunes on these trucks that only address the ECM & not the TCM....bonkers, jacking boost, adding timing, increasing power & A/F ratios WITHOUT addressing the transmission tune to compliment/accomodate the changes made on the other end, especially w/ the kind of hp/tq this truck is capable w/ and ESPECIALLY w/ a ten speed auto is simply asking for issues down the road....IMO...

 

[z2a]

I had the same problem- hard into drive or reverse and harsh up/downshifts developed around 30k. Instead of taking it in for the TSB I used COBB’s TCM tune and IT WORKED! No more harsh shifts and the transmission behaves better than it did to begin with. More details here:

 

[Natemma5]

I know this is really old but wanted to thank you for this. I have been having these issues with a used raptor I bought a couple weeks ago and already has the Cobb inter cooler and intake but hard shifting. I now and going to tune the transmission. This review is exactly what I was looking for. Thanks again!