Transmission shudder at 30mph?

[SeaFoam]

I have a new limited and around 30 mph it seems like it's hesitating or bogging down with a bit of a shudder. Has anyone else noticed this? Dry pavement, no incline.

 

[edge929]

Need more info. Are you accelerating and once you hit 30mph you feel a hesitation in acceleration or do you let off the gas around 30 and the Explorer seems like it doesn't coast (slows down too fast)?

If you have the manual option, shift yourself and see if it still happens.

 

[1AJeremyD]

i'm pretty certain he is referring to what everyone has noticed with the new explorers. Check the owners manual. It should specify that it is part of the fuel saving ability of the vehicle.

 

[SeaFoam]

i'm pretty certain he is referring to what everyone has noticed with the new explorers. Check the owners manual. It should specify that it is part of the fuel saving ability of the vehicle.

It doesn't really feel like that, I went from a hybrid and drive firetrucks, it definitely wasn't a sensation like engine braking. I have to run to the dealer tomorrow anyway (had a bad wiper blade and they had to order it ) If I can reproduce it for them.

After reading that section I'm hoping it's just the transmission learning.

 

[SeaFoam]

Need more info. Are you accelerating and once you hit 30mph you feel a hesitation in acceleration or do you let off the gas around 30 and the Explorer seems like it doesn't coast (slows down too fast)?

If you have the manual option, shift yourself and see if it still happens.

It feels fine up to 30mph then it feels like it shakes or shudders like it's in too high of a gear for that speed. Like if you were driving a manual and shifted into 4 instead of 3 and the engine was bogging a bit.

I just noticed, completely off topic but I am in Des Moines too. You're not the white one running around WDM are you?

 

[edge929]

It feels fine up to 30mph then it feels like it shakes or shudders like it's in too high of a gear for that speed. Like if you were driving a manual and shifted into 4 instead of 3 and the engine was bogging a bit.

I just noticed, completely off topic but I am in Des Moines too. You're not the white one running around WDM are you?

LOL, yeah, that's probably me. I just picked it up from Stivers on Tuesday. I've only seen one other 2011 Explorer, Bordeaux Red with Gabus plates, I assumed it was just a test drive. I'm sure there is more as a Stivers salesman bought one for his wife, not sure what color that is.

I know the sensation you're referring to as I've experienced it in all my manual vehicles in the past when I shift to high at low speed. It does sound like your transmission is confused as to when to shift and I usually see this at a normal cruising speed where you let off the gas at X mph and then just rest your foot on the pedal. It could be the tranny learning your driving style as you mentioned. What happens you when you really step into it just as it bogs down? Does it drop down a gear (like you are getting on the interstate for example)?

 

[SeaFoam]

LOL, yeah, that's probably me. I just picked it up from Stivers on Tuesday. I've only seen one other 2011 Explorer, Bordeaux Red with Gabus plates, I assumed it was just a test drive. I'm sure there is more as a Stivers salesman bought one for his wife, not sure what color that is.

I know the sensation you're referring to as I've experienced it in all my manual vehicles in the past when I shift to high at low speed. It does sound like your transmission is confused as to when to shift and I usually see this at a normal cruising speed where you let off the gas at X mph and then just rest your foot on the pedal. It could be the tranny learning your driving style as you mentioned. What happens you when you really step into it just as it bogs down? Does it drop down a gear (like you are getting on the interstate for example)?

It doesn't seem to have any issues downshifting when I put my foot into it getting on the interstate. I'll try it @30.

I haven't seen the red one, just the white. Mine's black, my friend ordered a black one as well, should be here in 2 weeks.

 

[edge929]

Let me know the results of your experiments. So far I haven't noticed anything beyond the very-slight engine breaking sensation which has to be the fuel cut-off.

My wife took me out for my birthday tonight to Rube's steakhouse and I'll be damned if we didn't pull in right behind another white platinum Limited with the polished rims who was going to the Kum & Go next door. Have only seen the one Gabus test drive on the road and then today I found myself right behind one. It had normal Iowa plates so I doubt it was a dealer. I wanted to pull up next to him and say "nice ride".

 

[SeaFoam]

Ok, figured it out - it's shifting into 5th gear a little bit early. I think if it was bumped a 100-200 rpm it would be fine. Called the dealership and asked them if they could adjust the shift point and I might as well have been asking him for his first born (pretty sure he was clueless) and told me you can't do that. Which would be surprising to me considering it's all mapped out in the ECU.

It's either on a slight incline (<5 degrees i'd say) or flat road. Any other situations and it is fine.

 

[SeaFoam]

Oh an Edge - they gave me a set of the splash guards free - they should give you a set as well if you don't have them already!

 

[lightshift]

lol

 

[lightshift]

bet they wont give me no bloody splash guards, i drive a 99 explorer, in other words i dont have money to throw at them lol, oh and i,m in Aus too that might stop them