Paddle Shifting on Gen 3

[hpschrank]

I have Gen 3 with 300 miles. I’ve noticed when in manual shifting mode using the paddle shifters and down shifting from 3rd to 2nd it’s a pretty rough down shift with a loud “clunk”…..same from 2 to 1. Doesn’t seem to do this when automatic shift mode. Is this normal with what others are seeing/hearing/feeling? Is there something different about how it down shifts in manual vs auto? Could it be the rpm’s are too high when I down shift? My first Raptor so curious to everyone’s thoughts. Thanks!

 

[sammy134]

Put it into true manual mode, by pressing the M button near the shifter. Then do it.

RPM being too high is not a thing. The truck computer will see that it is too high RPM to downshift, and won't let you. It will flash on the screen with your current gear, and wont let you switch. So if youre in 3rd, and trying to go to 2, it will flash 3 and not let you go to 2. If it does go to 2, then the computer probably deemed it was safe to downshift and it did.

 

[NJ2020]

With that few miles the computer is probably still trying to learn parameters. I would put more normal miles on it and see if it cleans up.

 

[aileron]

In auto the truck probably never downshifts from 3-2 or 2-1 at the RPMs you are requesting manually. It waits until you are near idle RPM to do so.

The transmission is super complicated and it doesn’t actually have 10 separate gears. Rather there are 4 gearsets that can be connected in various ways by internal shafts and clutches to give 10 overall ratios.

Shift feel is affected by how all those clutches work together, how fast, etc. In my experience manual shifts are faster and more abrupt than in auto mode regardless of vehicle speed.

What you describe sounds normal to me.

 

[smurfslayer]

I agree with above posters, you’re probably downshifting 3-2 and 2-1 too soon, particularly 2-1. 1st gear is a really short gear that goes very, very quickly in manual mode at full throttle. I’ve bumped the rev limiter doing a 90 degree turn in manual from a stop more than once. Also, the truck will downshift for you if you’re coming to a stop and not downshifting - even down to first IIRC. I read a blurb about this and decided to test it.

It takes some practice to get used to it but once you’ve got the hang of manual mode it is pretty fun.

 

[hpschrank]

Great feedback everyone! This website is an awesome resource!!

 

[beachz]

I spend a lot of time in manual mode in my Gen 1 and fairly rarely shift into second unless I am very close to stopped. I never shift into first while moving. I noticed that the when decelerating to a stop in drive that even the computer goes from 3rd to 1st AS you stop. If you were not to stop, it will shift to 2nd as you accelerate with appropriate rev matching. Yes, yes I know it isn't the same transmission or trans map but the effects are very similar. You will get a feel for how your truck acts in M mode and love it!

 

[MookeyB37]

I’m not a fan of the paddle shifting in this truck. Seems once you hit the paddle, it takes forever to actually shift.

I just came out of a paddle shift M4 and love it. The shifting was pretty much instant so maybe I’m spoiled

 

[tm965]

be in sport mode if using manual shifting--the blips on the downshifts make it much smoother

 

[tooloud10]

I’m not a fan of the paddle shifting in this truck. Seems once you hit the paddle, it takes forever to actually shift.

Agreed, the paddles are just a gimmick on these trucks. I don't see how a conventional 10-speed automatic will ever be all that enjoyable to shift manually--even if they can speed up the changing of gears, there's still too many of them to go through without getting exhausted pretty quickly.

I just came out of a paddle shift M4 and love it. The shifting was pretty much instant so maybe I’m spoiled

That's the same 7-speed DCT I have in my M3. It's an absolute joy to drive in manual mode, especially when you play around with the different settings for the shift speed and firmness.