2006 AT shifting pattern

[Broo]

I'm not quite sure how to search for this problem (or maybe it's not even a problem) : I own my 2006 3.0 since 2010. Since the beginning, I noticed the shift pattern is strange, unlike any AT I ever had. I only decided to find some information about it 5 years later.

It stays in 1st gear for quite a while before shifting in 2nd and 3rd. These two gears work fine. Then comes 4 and 5. 4 is barely used before it upshifts to 5.

It could be drawn like this :
1--------2---3---4-5

If I reset the ECU, PCM or whatever module by unplugging the battery for a few minutes, the shift pattern becomes linear :

1---2---3---4---5

However, after a few weeks of use, the transmission gets back to its old habits, the 1st becomes longer and longer and 4th becomes shorter.

 

[adsm08]

Ford likes to use adaptive shifting strategies. You reset the computer and you wipe the trans adapt and it goes back to a default while it relearns.

Then you start driving and it starts adjusting to your driving style to get the best fuel economy and wear out of the trans.

This is likely not a real problem, just a by product of the software's interaction with your driving style.

 

[ghunt81]

I noticed mine does something similar except it often only stays in 3rd for a second or two and goes directly into 4th. Seems weird.

 

[Broo]

Adaptive transmission ? That could explain it. I don't like it, but since it always goes back to this programming, my driving habits must be the cause indeed. This truck rarely sees highway use. I do a lot of very low speed, short distance hauling on neglected forest roads. Not extreme enough to require a 4x4, but bad enough to go through very slowly, since the bed is usually very loaded. Else it runs errands around town. It isn't my daily driver.

I would have preferred a manual transmission, but those 7' bed small trucks are rare enough around here that I wasn't picky.