The Poor Shifting Transmission Thread

[SpeedyV]

Can you explain this some more? I have the same issue with my 2021 and it’s very annoying.

I think I was just saying that I learned early on to mimic the behavior of the ACC when coming to a stop, as it resulted in smoother downshifts. But I think it’s “learned” my behavior (or vice-versa) over the past couple of years, as I think it operates quite smoothly all the time now.

 

[2019bighorn_crew]

Are you having shifting problems?

Best regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33 gallon fuel tank, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Build date: 03 June 2018. Now at: 045573 miles.

A little bit. Sometimes first gear feels like it holds too long then pops into second. Also when slowing down and all my downshifts are so smooth i can't feel them except for when it downshifts to 4th gear which feels like aggressive engine breaking. Then smooth again all the way until the downshift from 2 - 1 where it feels like someone smashes the brake pedal for a second between gears so much that everyone in the trucks heads will lurch forward and ask what the hell im doing. Im sick of explaining its the truck doing it not me.

 

[frostymug]

A little bit. Sometimes first gear feels like it holds too long then pops into second. Also when slowing down and all my downshifts are so smooth i can't feel them except for when it downshifts to 4th gear which feels like aggressive engine breaking. Then smooth again all the way until the downshift from 2 - 1 where it feels like someone smashes the brake pedal for a second between gears so much that everyone in the trucks heads will lurch forward and ask what the hell im doing. Im sick of explaining its the truck doing it not me.

Hey, I was having the same exact downshift issues. It literally felt like someone else had a brake pedal they were activating. I then saw a post on a different thread about over filling of the transmission fluid and how it fixed some transmission issues just by lowering the fluid to only the specified amount. Well what do you know? All of a sudden my transmission no longer has those ridiculous hard and sudden downshifts like you described. Check out this thread with more info: https://5thgenrams.com/community/th...-engine-is-cold-anyone-else.22175/post-409698

 

[Buzz74us2]

My 2020 1500 Ram has issues when driving shifting to another gear sometimes. When it shifts at about 23 mph it will jerk. The jerk will sometimes be minor and sometimes it will jerk hard like 5 times. I've taken it to the dealership and they can't of course find anything. The service guy that looked at it the last time even put on the paperwork that it will shift hard into gear sometimes. Called Ram themselves and they just called the dealership and went with what they said. I've had the truck do this while driving and from a stop, a hazard when your trying to go at a stop sign. Any help with this would be great. The dealership said they can't do anything unless a check engine light comes on. I lease and feel as though there should be something that can be done.

 

[2019bighorn_crew]

Hey, I was having the same exact downshift issues. It literally felt like someone else had a brake pedal they were activating. I then saw a post on a different thread about over filling of the transmission fluid and how it fixed some transmission issues just by lowering the fluid to only the specified amount. Well what do you know? All of a sudden my transmission no longer has those ridiculous hard and sudden downshifts like you described. Check out this thread with more info: https://5thgenrams.com/community/th...-engine-is-cold-anyone-else.22175/post-409698

Thanks a lot for the info. I might try that when it warms up a little here and hopefully will see some positive results. Thanks again for the info.

 

[2019bighorn_crew]

Thanks a lot for the info. That is a perfect exact way of describing the feeling with someone else slamming the brake pedal. I might try that when it warms up a little here and hopefully will see some positive results. Thanks again for the info.

 

[Val]

Service adviser got the service manager to ride with me to demonstrate the up/down shifting issues. Of course it did not do it's worst during that time but he did feel the rough downshifting and the rear end slack. He talked quite a bit and I learned a few new things:

1. He believes that the no acceleration/lunging I rarely experience is caused by the fact that this ZF transmission does not immediately downshift to 1 when you come to a stop. He explained that if you stop and stay stopped very shortly you can "catch" the transmission still completing the x-1 downshift where it will obviously not go. Then it completes the shift and since you are already giving it throttle, it goes quick. That made so much sense and sounds like Houston driving that I let that go. I'll be keeping a closer eye on my gear indicator to see if that's the cause but I believe it is.

2. He explained that this ZF 8-speed is designed to assist braking with the downshifts and did that on the DS previous model also. He also said that part of the design behind that is to prevent the gas from "bumping" you since the gas tanks are longitudinal under the trucks and that it's a bit stiffer shifting on the 33gal. I joked and said "so what I need is the transmission program for the smaller tank?" He started to explain that wasn't possible and I cut him off with empathy. Not sure I buy this explanation though.

3. He didn't want to call me a bad driver, but very gently was explaining how transmissions learn and somehow mine had learned to downshift this roughly. I agreed with his explanation of how it got to this point and that disconnecting the battery made it drive like a dream but I do not see how my driving causes this. It drives basically normally if I absolutely baby it (not practical in Houston traffic) or punch it every time (that's not how I drive). Seems like any moderate/normal style of driving leads back to rough up & down shifting.

Anyway, it's at the dealer for them to play with some more. They did give me a 2WD Longhorn as a loaner. It shifts like butter - absolutely smooth. I think I rolled my eyes. It also scoots! It's got the 3.92 also so the difference must be the huge weight difference between this fairly unloaded truck and my fat a$$ loaded Limited. It's noticeable. Oh, and it got 25 MPG on the drive home.

 

[Val]

i hate my truck with a passion I’m so sorry I let my 2500 2005 diesel go because my new truck bought with 32 miles was hard shifting at 40 mph so at around took it in said nothing was wrong they did a tran update around 800miles anyway and now its seems to be dragging and slow shifting and it always stays in 7 gear until I hit 65 or 70
they told me to stop driving it like my diesel and drive it like an 8 no mater how I drive it it’s dragging.
they told me I’m driving it badly..
I was wondering if I have issues because it sat on the lot a year before I bought it or is this a common problem?
val

 

[2019bighorn_crew]

i hate my truck with a passion I’m so sorry I let my 2500 2005 diesel go because my new truck bought with 32 miles was hard shifting at 40 mph so at around took it in said nothing was wrong they did a tran update around 800miles anyway and now its seems to be dragging and slow shifting and it always stays in 7 gear until I hit 65 or 70
they told me to stop driving it like my diesel and drive it like an 8 no mater how I drive it it’s dragging.
they told me I’m driving it badly..
I was wondering if I have issues because it sat on the lot a year before I bought it or is this a common problem?
val

Mine also sat for a year before I bought it and I also have annoying shift issues that makes driving this truck very frustrating, especially when crawling in traffic.

 

[Fatherof3]

Mine also sat for a year before I bought it and I also have annoying shift issues that makes driving this truck very frustrating, especially when crawling in traffic.

Mine sat on the lot for a good 8 months and it shifts smoother than any other vehicle I’ve driven . I’ve heard that over filled transmissions will do what you’re describing as well as under filled .

 

[Lil'Mike]

Mine sat on the lot for a good 8 months and it shifts smoother than any other vehicle I’ve driven . I’ve heard that over filled transmissions will do what you’re describing as well as under filled .

I just drained a bit of trans fluid from my truck and after a couple days it started shifting much better. No more “drag”, bumping or clunking when downshifting. Holds 8th much better on the highway as well...

 

[frostymug]

@RamCares - why is the factory overfilling the transmission fluid on these trucks? There are various reports here of the same issue, with all customers draining the excess fluid on their own and seeing an immediate improvement in the behavior of the transmission. Ram dealerships refuse to check the fluid level, as they state the factory would have filled with only the necessary amount. This is causing issues for customers, and no doubt some of our transmissions will have irreversible damage or perhaps issues later in the life of the truck due to this.

Can a TSB be issued for this so that it can be a documented issue that other owners can get addressed?

 

[Edwards]

After reading about the possible overfilling, I got all excited that it might fix my odd shifting. I Bingled it and found this document that outlined the fill/check procedure and tightening torque.

Followed the procedure and dang if that exhaust cross pipe isn't just begging you to touch it due to it being so close and hot! Opened up the fill plug and four drops came out. Seems mine was correctly filled all along. Was worth a try.

 

[2019bighorn_crew]

Mine sat on the lot for a good 8 months and it shifts smoother than any other vehicle I’ve driven . I’ve heard that over filled transmissions will do what you’re describing as well as under filled .

That is what someone had suggested to me also. I'm bringing my truck in for the rear window leaking this week and am going to see if they will check the fluid level for me. If not I'm going to do it myself when I get a minute. Thanks.

 

[RamCares]

My 2020 1500 Ram has issues when driving shifting to another gear sometimes. When it shifts at about 23 mph it will jerk. The jerk will sometimes be minor and sometimes it will jerk hard like 5 times. I've taken it to the dealership and they can of course find anything. The service guy that looked at it the last time even put on the paperwork that it will shift hard into gear sometimes. Call Ram themselves and 5hey just called the dealership and went with what they said. I've had the truck do this while driving and from a stop, a hazard when your trying to go at a stop sign.

i hate my truck with a passion I’m so sorry I let my 2500 2005 diesel go because my new truck bought with 32 miles was hard shifting at 40 mph so at around took it in said nothing was wrong they did a tran update around 800miles anyway and now its seems to be dragging and slow shifting and it always stays in 7 gear until I hit 65 or 70
they told me to stop driving it like my diesel and drive it like an 8 no mater how I drive it it’s dragging.
they told me I’m driving it badly..
I was wondering if I have issues because it sat on the lot a year before I bought it or is this a common problem?
val

@RamCares - why is the factory overfilling the transmission fluid on these trucks? There are various reports here of the same issue, with all customers draining the excess fluid on their own and seeing an immediate improvement in the behavior of the transmission. Ram dealerships refuse to check the fluid level, as they state the factory would have filled with only the necessary amount. This is causing issues for customers, and no doubt some of our transmissions will have irreversible damage or perhaps issues later in the life of the truck due to this.

Can a TSB be issued for this so that it can be a documented issue that other owners can get addressed?

After reading about the possible overfilling, I got all excited that it might fix my odd shifting. I Bingled it and found this document that outlined the fill/check procedure and tightening torque.

Followed the procedure and dang if that exhaust cross pipe isn't just begging you to touch it due to it being so close and hot! Opened up the fill plug and four drops came out. Seems mine was correctly filled all along. Was worth a try.

That is what someone had suggested to me also. I'm bringing my truck in for the rear window leaking this week and am going to see if they will check the fluid level for me. If not I'm going to do it myself when I get a minute. Thanks.

Hello everyone, we certainly regret to hear about the trouble that some of you have faced with your past dealer services, and we apologize for the trouble this has caused you. Please do not hesitate to send us a private message if you are in need of any additional support while addressing this concern with your dealer in the future. What we are able to do from this level would be to escalate a case on your behalf to a specialist for an additional layer of support as your concerns are fully addressed. Thank you,

Kathryn
Ram Cares

 

[2019bighorn_crew]

Hello everyone, we certainly regret to hear about the trouble that some of you have faced with your past dealer services, and we apologize for the trouble this has caused you. Please do not hesitate to send us a private message if you are in need of any additional support while addressing this concern with your dealer in the future. What we are able to do from this level would be to escalate a case on your behalf to a specialist for an additional layer of support as your concerns are fully addressed. Thank you,

Kathryn
Ram Cares

Unfortunately I'm in Canada so you won't do anything for me. And FCA just pulled themselves out of the CAMVAP program here (in starting to understand why wih all these problems).

 

[2019bighorn_crew]

That is what someone had suggested to me also. I'm bringing my truck in for the rear window leaking this week and am going to see if they will check the fluid level for me. If not I'm going to do it myself when I get a minute. Thanks.

I got the stealership to check my fluid and they said it was at the correct level. The reset the transmission adaptive learning and told me to give it 300km. Its been 250 kms so far with no improvements. Looks like this is just how its going to be until I get rid of it ( which will be sooner than later)

 

[HeavyMetalHauler]

Unfortunately I'm in Canada so you won't do anything for me. And FCA just pulled themselves out of the CAMVAP program here (in starting to understand why wih all these problems).

I hate that CAMVAP is voluntary in the first place. It’s ridiculous.


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[HemiDude]

After reading about the possible overfilling, I got all excited that it might fix my odd shifting. I Bingled it and found this document that outlined the fill/check procedure and tightening torque.

Followed the procedure and dang if that exhaust cross pipe isn't just begging you to touch it due to it being so close and hot! Opened up the fill plug and four drops came out. Seems mine was correctly filled all along. Was worth a try.

Based on this document, what are guys using to determine trans fluid temp, just the dash gauge?

 

[Edwards]

Based on this document, what are guys using to determine trans fluid temp, just the dash gauge?

Yes. Makes it quite easy.