Engine braking on 2017 F150 5.0L

[plasticmaster]

I have a 2017 F150 with the 5.0 engine. When I tow my TT in tow haul mode, it seems to me that Ford has overdone it with the engine braking. As I apply the brakes, it downshifts really hard and revs really high to the point of making me wonder if it could damage the engine or transmission. On my last trip, I would disengage tow/haul when I knew I was getting ready to hit the brakes. Should I be concerned about this, or just let it do its thing?

[nickthehunter]

I removed my comment. Upon rereading it this morning I decided it really didn’t provide any help to the OP.

[goducks10]

Just wear ear plugs.

[MFL]

plasticmaster wrote:
When towing on flat terrain and taking an exit off the interstate, I would prefer it not do the insane downshifting. In this situation, I've been turning off tow haul as I take the exit cause I have plenty of time to stop.

In my experience, the Ford T/H mode works great, while using as described above. I would question, if your trailer brakes are working properly, adjusted properly, to help slow to a level stop?

If you are pumping the truck pedal, it will continue to downshift, which should not be necessary on level ground, and the length of most exits.

Jerry

[plasticmaster]

When towing on flat terrain and taking an exit off the interstate, I would prefer it not do the insane downshifting. In this situation, I've been turning off tow haul as I take the exit cause I have plenty of time to stop.

[wanderingbob]

I also do not like tow/haul on steep downhill , I just tend to shift it manually so I can control revs !

[wnjj]

My older GM Allison tow/haul doesn't downshift unless you hold the brake for a few seconds. You can tap lightly without causing the downshift. Perhaps Ford set theirs a bit more aggressive.

I do find that it takes rev'ing pretty high after the hill flattens out before the grade braking releases. I usually just turn T/H off to get it to upshift.

[MFL]

Exactly Mitch! You said it better than my earlier post! 🙂

Jerry

[MitchF150]

I don't like the T/H mode going downhill either.. There are times I just need to tap the brakes.. Not prompt a full downshift to a lower gear.

I can manually select what gear I want to use, so I prefer to do that. I know how to NOT ride the brakes and such, so that's not an issue.

I do like it on the flats, so that if I do happen to have to hit the brakes hard for whatever reason, the downshifting helps slow it down.

I neither leave it on all the time, or leave it off.. I turn it on/off as the terrain dictates and the driving conditions at that time.

Works for me. 🙂

Mitch

[Grit_dog]

MFL wrote:
On a steep downhill, with 10K pushing me, I prefer to not use t/h, and manually select gear I want to use. This works best for me, on long downhills, that also include lots of turns.

Jerry

Not sure I’ve seen a manual mode (+/- button) on any newer truck that will prevent further downshifting if the truck calls for it. Either slowing down below min speed for the top gear selected or in a grade braking scenario.
From the old 6 speed Fords that the OP has to new GM 10speeds.
They’re great at limiting up shifts to whatever top gear you want to maintain.

[Lantley]

If you are going down a steep incline really high revving is maybe normal. If your running on flat ground and brake there maybe some revving , but it shouldn't be really high. Are you braking too hard? The harder you brake the more stopping force and revving you create.

[mkirsch]

Define "really high."

In my experience people start having kittens when their engine RPMs exceed 2000 for some reason.

[MFL]

On a steep downhill, with 10K pushing me, I prefer to not use t/h, and manually select gear I want to use. This works best for me, on long downhills, that also include lots of turns.

Jerry

[Turtle_n_Peeps]

Let it rev.

[JRscooby]

Compare the RPM you see on the tach to the RPM max HP in the book. I would think engine would be designed to spin fast enough to get to rated horsepower without damage.

[wing_zealot]

I'm pretty sure the engineers that designed Tow/Haul mode know what they are doing. Frankly, I think it works great.