Not shifing into 5th when cold

[Hawkeye61]

I used to live in town so by the time I ever got out onto the highway the transmission was already warm. Now I live where I can get onto the highway very quickly and have noticed that my 2002 Explorer with 5R55S transmission is not shifting into 5th gear when cold. (Less than 60F) If I just jump in and go it takes 3-4 miles before it shifts into high gear. Is this normal? I'm thinking it might be.

 

[transman304]

Yes it is normal as OD is inhibited till trans reaches operating temp.

 

[Tech By Trade]

Yep, my 07 does that for the first couple kms out of town until it warms up too.

 

[imp]

My '04 with 5R55S shifts 5th gear right away, regardless of temperature of fluid. It is the Torque Converter Clutch, TCC, which is inhibited from engaging until fluid temp. is reached.

TCC is the LAST "felt" bump, watch for it on the tach. If you count "bumps" under minimum throttle needed to reach cruise speed, about 50-55, you will see there are 5 apparent "shifts": 1 to 2, 2 to 3, 3 to 4, 4 to 5, then finally the last one, the TCC. imp