Downshifting fix for hills

On hilly terrain, take it out of cruise control.

JackInAZ wrote:
On hilly terrain, take it out of cruise control.

X2 - it will try and keep the same speed and it really can't up a hill. take it out of cruise before starting up.

You may be able to start accelerating before a small hill with the cruise on. This may get you over it without the cruise making it down shift when you get back to the set speed. You will learn how hard you can push on the gas pedal before it makes it downshift. On a long hill even with the cruise off it probably will downshift if you try and maintain the set speed.

Leave the cruise control on and take it out of overdrive when running through hills that cause it to search for gears.

This has been covered many times. Fords cruise control is very lazy at trying to maintain a set speed. My 02 X is the same way. I have to watch ahead for any type of incline in the road and help the cruise along when at the base of the hill. the set speed will drop sometimes several mph before the cruise tries to increase speed, by then it`s too late and the engine needs to downshift to regain that speed. it is frustrating, staying on top of it in hilly areas is the only way to go. a pain because you have to do what the cruise should be programmed to do.

BTW, are you running with the Tow Haul engaged?

You can't really fix it other than going slower in anticipation of the hill.

You can either slow down your cruise speed, or take it out of cruise before the hill, and downshift yourself before your tranny does. It's really not very good, long-term, for a tranny to be 'hard shifting' down when it's ON the grade. Sorta like trying to downshift a bicycle on a grade. Ain't easy.

I understand I can take it off cruise control, which can be way too often....but, I heard there is a "chip" you can change/install to lessen the downshifting. Any one heard of this? Thanks

It doesn't have to be fixed becaus it's not broken.

The section of the computer that controls the shifting of the transmission, knows what it's doing.

Break out your Ford owners manual and read up on how your transmission works.
These engines are just fine with high rpm's. They are designed that way.

If your speed drops below, as I recall, 45mpg, the cruise control will automatically disconnect itself.

Read up on how to downshift if going downhill. You just tap your brake peddle and the tranny will downshift as soon as it's safe to do so.

Enjoy your travels.

Have not tried Tow Haul except when going downhill. We are pulling a Honda CRV.

kingsransom wrote:
Have not tried Tow Haul except when going downhill. We are pulling a Honda CRV.

Pulling a car you'll never be able to rely on cruise on a hill. Most cars don't even do well on cruise on hills let alone an RV pulling a car. Pretty much for more flat open driving.