Fiesta 1.6AT acceleration concern

[17Sphynx17]

Hi guys,

Was wondering if anyone has experienced an acceleration shudder with the Ford Fiesta 1.6AT?

I have experienced this quite a few times with our car, casa said there is nothing wrong but it is the first and only "shudder" I have experienced with an automatic.

The problem I can see is when it is between first and second gear. It feels like the clutch slips or the transmission doesn't fully engage in the right gear. I know its an automatic but it's the closest I can compare it to.

Me and my dad have experienced the "shudder" on separate occassion and we really have no explanation for it.

It doesn't always happen, but it does and were worried something minute might be wrong that could later on become bigger if left unchecked.

Thanks for your time guys.

[maranello_5775]

I think that "shudder" is common to dual clutch transmissions, although they promise fast shifts the problem is the jerky transition from first gear to second gear.

[Aloha Milkyway]

Maranello's right. It's been the usual dual clutch complaint since dual clutch gearboxes started.  Dual clutch transmissions are smooth,yes, but only at speed. If you want to rush them, the end result is a judder. For me dual clutch transmissions need a little more care than the conventional automatics mainly because it's still relatively new technology. Well, if you want the best dual clutch experience, there's Porsche...which not a lot of us can't afford... *sad*

[sousaka7]

you might have been just pressing on the gas too hard on start up...revving too hard

[17Sphynx17]

Thanks guys. Glad to. Know its.not a defect. At least we'll ease off the gas when on first.

[17Sphynx17]

Hi guys,

I got a bit concerned about the transmission shudder so I headed over to Ford to have it checked to make sure it's not something else.

After they checked that everything was in good working order, I was surprised to find out that you had a "procedure" to do to make it adapt to our conditions.

It is as follows:

DPS6 6 Speed Powershift Transaxle

* Drive the vehicle to perform adaptive strategy learn on a level road surface
1. Depress vehicle brake pedal (do not use parking brake)
2. Shift to Drive
3. Wait 15 seconds
4. Shift to Reverse
5. Wait 2 seconds
6. Repeat steps 1 to 5 Ten (10) times.
7. Accelerate from a stop with light throttle to 15mph (24kph)
8. Brake gently to a complete stop (allow at least 6 seconds)
9. Repeat steps 7 to 8 five (5) times
10. Accelerate from a stop with light throttle performing 1-2, 2-3, 3-4 shifts maintaining 1700 to 2000 rpm.
11. Accelerate to a speed between 50mph (80kph) and 65mph (104kph), achieve 6th gear, keep throttle steady with engine below 3000rpm for a minimum of two (2) minutes.
12. Repeat stepp 11 two (2) times.

* NOTICE: If a drive cycle is not completed, the customer may feel erratic shifts and driveability concerns.

I am going to do this whole thing, but my only issue with it is I can only do this on NLEX, SCTEX or new SLEX. I can't think of any stretch of road that allows me to do step number 11 consistently.

The other thing I took note of is that the technician informed me that if I replace/remove the battery, this needs to be redone again as sort of a reset to reconfigure the computer box.

Well, I hope this post helps other Fiesta 1.6S AT owners. =)

Happy driving.

[mindkinetic]

wow if that is how it should go... i mean the cardinal order of procedure required to make the fiesta adapt better get a manual . ahahahhaha

[17Sphynx17]

wow if that is how it should go... i mean the cardinal order of procedure required to make the fiesta adapt better get a manual . ahahahhaha

Actually even after this, there is still a shudder. So if you recall the article about the update to the compubox software that Ford will push through for both the Focus and Fiesta, then I guess we have to wait for it so that the necessary corrections/adjustments are made by Ford.

It will still work/perform at present, you just feel the shudder at times which is kinda annoying. Out in the open road though, it's a different story. =)

[mindkinetic]

at any rate sphynx just update us as to the progress of this incident. in the meantime no matter what happens your fiesta is still covered by ford's warranty . hence if anything goes wrong the dealership is obligated to offer a viable solution to your satisfaction.

[sudo]

I think that it is just one of the "cons" of the A/T vehicles that most of the owners must live with.. If the casa says there is nothing wrong, take their word for it.. After all, they now have the record that you brought up that concern to them.. At least when your warranty period expires and that concern became a problem, (hopefully not) they can see that you have already complained about that during its warranty period and you can say that they might have overlooked that and it's not your fault anymore..