Mustang Mama

Tried it for the first time today. I did okay but when I first attempted to downshift to come to a stop, I did it too soon and it did not sound good. It scared me. I thought with select shift if it was too soon it would not let the gears change? I have never driven a stick. Today was my first time with shifting. I have been watching videos and googling to learn when to shift. Also watching the speedometer and listening to see when it shifted. I can tell when it shifts up. Down shifting can't tell what gear it shifts to. So, when slowing down to stop, I down shift from 4 or 5th to 3rd and stay in 3rd until I stop then go to 1st? I did that the second time and it seemed okay. My main concern was damaging the engine/transmission if I did it wrong. With select shift that is not possible, right?

Marcin K.

Correct. The Trans controller won't accept a downshift if the revs will be too high. My Mustang is manual, but my other car has this feature too. It won't let me downshift if it will put the RPM over ~4500 after the downshift. So you have nothing to worry about. With Auto trans this feature is error prof.

70monte

I've had my car for almost five months and have yet to use this feature because I'm a little nervous of messing something up even though they say you can't. I know how to drive a manual but using a rocker switch just seems weird to me.


Wayne

tukatz

I've had my car for over ten months and almost 17,000 miles, and have used SelectShift quite a bit. I usually use it for long uphills, but have also used it on twisty roads where I have left it in second gear in the tightest twisty areas. It will never upshift automatically, and will only downshift automatically if you're in fifth or fourth gear. It will not let you downshift in situations where damage could be done, although I have downshifted into first at 20 MPH. I quite like it and enjoy being able to shift only one I want to.

El Coyote GT/CS

If you dropped it into 1st at speed with those Roush axle-backs, all that popping and snarling probably scared a lot of people - Ha!

When I manually downshift while cruising, I listen to the engine/exhaust getting quiet, then hit the button. It will rev to 3000-3500 which isn't too intense. I don't thumb it into first until I come to a stop.

Like the others said, the trans won't let you harm it. It will rev match to the gear you select unless it is an unreasonable choice for the speed. I know, since my daughter was unable to destroy mine while I was teaching her steep downhill procedures.

Oh, and if you want to make the best all out drag pass, don't use the button.

FordService

Hey Mustang Mama,

Here’s the info I found in your owner's manual 3rd printing:

SelectShift Automatic® Transmission
Your SelectShift automatic transmission gives you the ability to manually
change gears if you would like. To use SelectShift, move the gearshift
lever into position S. Now you can use the thumb toggle on the side of
your gearshift lever to select gears.

• Press (+) on the gearshift lever to manually upshift the transmission.
• Press (–) on the gearshift lever to manually downshift the transmission.

The information display in the instrument cluster will show the selected
gear you are currently in.
In order to prevent the engine from running at too low an RPM, which
may cause it to stall, SelectShift will automatically make some downshifts
even if it has determined that you have not downshifted in time.
Although the SelectShift will make some downshifts for you, it will still
allow you to downshift at any time as long as the SelectShift determines
that the engine will not be damaged from over-revving.

Note: Engine damage may occur if excessive engine revving is held
without shifting.
Note: Some models have a blink feature (if equipped). If manually
selecting a gear that is out of the current vehicle speed range, the
vehicle will not make the requested shift and will blink the current gear.

I hope this helps.

Deysha

wanted33

Thanks Deysha, I was gonna say the same thing about the gear indicator being on the center screen. Mama, just practice with it, and in no time you'll be an expert. As El Coyote says, in time you'll be able to listen to the sound of the engine, and know when you need to shift. Have fun.

Mustang Mama

I did something wrong because the engine sounded stressed. I think I was in 1st or 2nd. Went back to 3rd and it was all good again.


I was nervous too. But I wanted to try it out. After the downshift goof, I put it back in D. lol.


I'm a total newb with gear shifting. I do not know what gear is for what and when to use each one.


It was not the exhaust that startled me. I was too distracted by the way the engine sounded to hear. I think I dropped to low. Lol, okay. No buttons when drag passing.


Thanks Deysha. I did look that up in the manual before trying the select shift. I think I dropped the gear to low which caused the engine to sound strained. I thought select shift would not allow that to happen.


Yes, I saw the gear indicator. I was unsure of when to downshift and to what gear. Yes, practice. By the second and third time I did better.

FordService

You’re welcome, wanted33! Thank you for the support.

You’re very welcome, Mustang Mama! If it continues to happen or you feel something is not right, be sure to bring it into your dealer and have them check it out. Let me know if you need me.

Deysha

Mustang Mama

I will Deysha. I need to get out and practice some more.