5-speed shifting question

[SenorNoob]

I've found I have better MPG keeping the 4.0 higher in the RPM range. Like above 2200 or so.

 

[superj]

Which shifter brand

Mine is a core shifter assembly with a hurst shifter lever arm and knob

 

[Terrys87]

I think you do more harm by lugging a motor. I would rather over rev a motor myself, not red lining it but higher rpms.

 

[nickname23]

I think you do more harm by lugging a motor. I would rather over rev a motor myself, not red lining it but higher rpms.

Finally hitting highway speed even with lean codes, turns out 5th gear especially at a gentle grade can stall.

80 mph no problem even in 5th but that's getting the rpm at or above 2k and that's probably still lugging it.
This is also probably due to me babying the fuel issue which is solved.

 

[nickname23]

My experience with the M5OD is they smooth out and drive better somewhere around 200k... but I have over 25 years and at least 200k miles driving M5OD's so I'm extremely used to how they operate, I don't double clutch at all... they sometimes grind especially into second but I think I would know if it was an issue by now... heck once I drove about 400 miles home without using the clutch other than starting from a stop when the master cylinder went out where I got one clutch cycle before it would stick disengaged for like 30 seconds...

Funny thing, I didn't learn this transmission instead the transmission learned me? Now I don't fight it if the motor revs higher I just catch it with the clutch and off I go!

There is no telling a M5OD to do anything, much like the tractor I drove as a kid, it does it's own job it's my job to manage everything else.

Seems like it's that way.

 

[nickname23]

Yeah, most people are shifting way too early, even with engines that develop their power lower in the RPM band. I think it's a worry about burning more fuel than they have to, not realizing they are burning more fuel lugging the engine because they shifted early. Like mentioned above, 3,000 - 3,500 on a 3.0 is a better RPM to shift at and won't negatively effect mpg. It might actually improve some.

As far as the double clutching, that is really only needed on transmissions that don't have syncronizers in the transmission. Outside of heavy and some medium trucks, the majority of transmissions have synchronizers in them, after a certain date, which goes back pretty far. Like 1950s or 1960s time frame.

Most of my stalling regardless of other issues is always 5th gear.

Not enough fuel? Too high load regardless of tac or sound and inevitably will stall.

Too much air, not enough rpm? Too high load and will stall either just before climbing a grade or after when load is eased and engine cannot idle so combustion stops.

Think I'm underutilizing 4th gear at high speed and grades, mainly because I'm still in babying mode because of prior issues and driving in town 4th gear can usually be skipped since there isn't many hills.

The manual definitely contradicts real data, as others have mentioned including myself, it's a clock you need to wind up and performance is at higher rpm even though it's a pushrod.

This is another cause of confusion I used to drive a 4.0 with an auto and even though it wasn't stick and the engine design is similar it's not the same.

5th gear is like overdrive, it will make any issue with the truck rear it's ugly head because of the load especially when driving small grades, downshifting or raising the rpm before that grade prevents this.

 

[Curious Hound]

5th gear is like overdrive,

5th gear isn't "like" overdrive. 5th gear IS overdrive.

 

[ShhhhhDougsHere]

@nickname23 I'm happy for you that you are learning your truck better. Keep it up your right at the point where you can really start to have fun with your truck.

 

[pjtoledo]

Finally hitting highway speed even with lean codes, turns out 5th gear especially at a gentle grade can stall.

80 mph no problem even in 5th but that's getting the rpm at or above 2k and that's probably still lugging it.
This is also probably due to me babying the fuel issue which is solved.

only 2000 rpms at 80mph?
what rear gear do you have?

 

[sgtsandman]

Most of my stalling regardless of other issues is always 5th gear.

Not enough fuel? Too high load regardless of tac or sound and inevitably will stall.

Too much air, not enough rpm? Too high load and will stall either just before climbing a grade or after when load is eased and engine cannot idle so combustion stops.

Think I'm underutilizing 4th gear at high speed and grades, mainly because I'm still in babying mode because of prior issues and driving in town 4th gear can usually be skipped since there isn't many hills.

The manual definitely contradicts real data, as others have mentioned including myself, it's a clock you need to wind up and performance is at higher rpm even though it's a pushrod.

This is another cause of confusion I used to drive a 4.0 with an auto and even though it wasn't stick and the engine design is similar it's not the same.

5th gear is like overdrive, it will make any issue with the truck rear it's ugly head because of the load especially when driving small grades, downshifting or raising the rpm before that grade prevents this.

Something doesn't sound right with the stalling in 5th gear. What speed are you shifting into 5th at?

There was also a mention of only being at 2,000 RPM at 80 mph. You should be way higher than that. At 70, I'm hitting about 2,250. That is with 3.73 gearing and 31" tires.

 

[nickname23]

Something doesn't sound right with the stalling in 5th gear. What speed are you shifting into 5th at?

There was also a mention of only being at 2,000 RPM at 80 mph. You should be way higher than that. At 70, I'm hitting about 2,250. That is with 3.73 gearing and 31" tires.

only 2000 rpms at 80mph?
what rear gear do you have?

Okay my bad it's more my issue not hitting the gas enough and letting it fall to 2k going slightly uphill and the speedometer is off my guess so I'm referring to what information I have to work with.

Far as tires go dunno if anything it's stock small tires and wheels, good tire it's more plastic than rubber though but they look like they barely have worn.

Probably shifting to early into 5th, raising my rpm is helping a lot although second gear is insufferable from a dead stop no matter what it's turtle mode not rabbit, in fact 3rd gear functions better if not completely stopped.

 

[sgtsandman]

Okay my bad it's more my issue not hitting the gas enough and letting it fall to 2k going slightly uphill and the speedometer is off my guess so I'm referring to what information I have to work with.

Far as tires go dunno if anything it's stock small tires and wheels, good tire it's more plastic than rubber though but they look like they barely have worn.

Probably shifting to early into 5th, raising my rpm is helping a lot although second gear is insufferable from a dead stop no matter what it's turtle mode not rabbit, in fact 3rd gear functions better if not completely stopped.

Always start in 1st from a dead stop.

Starting in 2nd is only for if you have really low (numerically high) rear axle gearing for the wheel and tire set you have.

I would not go into 5th until you hit 55 mph and only if you are cruising and not accellerating. It's an overdrive gear for fuel efficiency and cruising at a relatively constant speed.

As far as the speed and rpm readings, if the tires are the same as what is on the door jam sticker, it should be pretty accurate. Ford tends to set their vehicles up so the speedometer is indicating a speed about 2 mph faster than you are actually traveling. Each vehicle manufacturer varies with that, within a certain acceptable tolerance. They are almost never dead on accurate and favor reading fast to minimize speeding tickets.

 

[Curious Hound]

With the 3.0l, you probably don't want 5th gear until you reach cruising speed. 55mph is too early if you're still trying to accelerate to 65 or 70. Get it up to speed, then drop into 5th to maintain. I think you'll find that much more enjoyable with that engine. And, as mentioned, starting from a dead stop in second is not a good idea. The 3.0l doesn't like that unless you're pointed downhill on the side of a cliff.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Yeah. Arguably first gear is a little tall in the M5OD. You should never start out in second gear with the 3.0 unless you’re in 4-low. Most manuals you should start out in first gear.

If you don’t want to shift so much… what I often did in my 3.0 was start in first and wind it out till I was doing about 25 and skip to third.

5th should really be 50mph and above and as mentioned, if you’re still trying to get up to speed, this isn’t the gear you want. Also, if you’re hauling something, you want to stay in 4th. 5th should only be used if you’re lightly loaded, less than 50% of rated capacity is usually what they recommend.