2023 Ford E350-Series Automatic Transmission
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WARNING: Apply the parking brake, shift into park (P), switch the ignition off and remove the key before you leave your vehicle. Failure to follow this instruction could result in personal injury or death.
Putting your vehicle in or out of gear:
- Fully press down the brake pedal.
- Move the gearshift lever into the preferred gear.
- When you finish driving, come to a complete stop.
- Move the gearshift lever and securely latch it in park (P).
- Release the brake pedal and the transmission remains in the selected gear.
Park (P)
This position locks the transmission and prevents the wheels from turning.
Reverse (R)
With the transmission in reverse (R), your vehicle moves backward. Always come to a complete stop before shifting into and out of reverse (R).
Neutral (N)
With the transmission in neutral (N), you can start your vehicle and it is free to roll. Hold the brake pedal down when in this position.
Drive (D)
Drive (D) is the normal driving position for the best fuel economy. The overdrive function allows automatic upshifts and downshifts through gears one through six.
Manual (M)
Moving the gearshift lever to the manual (M) position allows you to manually select the gear you prefer. Only the current gear displays. Use the buttons on the gearshift lever to manually select gears. Press the + button to upshift or the – button to downshift. Return the transmission to a different gearshift position to deactivate manual control.
Second (2)
Transmission operates in second (2) gear only. Use second (2) gear to start-up on slippery roads.
First (1)
- Transmission operates in first (1) gear only.
- Provides maximum engine braking.
- Allows upshifts by moving gearshift lever.
- Does not downshift into first (1) gear at high speeds; allows for first (1) gear when vehicle reaches slower speeds. Forced downshifts
- Allowed in drive (D) with the tow/haul feature on or off.
- Press the accelerator to the floor.
- Allows transmission to select an appropriate gear.
Tow/Haul Mode
To activate tow/haul, press the button on the gearshift lever.
The TOW HAUL indicator light illuminates in the instrument cluster. The tow/haul feature:
- Delays upshifts to reduce the frequency of transmission shifting.
- Provides engine braking in all forward gears, which slows your vehicle and assists you in controlling your vehicle when descending a slope.
- Depending on driving conditions and load conditions, may downshift the transmission, slow your vehicle and control your vehicle speed when descending a hill, without pressing the accelerator pedal. The amount of downshift braking provided varies based upon the amount you press the brake pedal.
The tow/haul feature improves transmission operation when towing a trailer or a heavy load. All transmission gear ranges are available when using tow/haul.
To deactivate the tow/haul feature and return to normal driving mode, press the button on the gearshift lever again. The TOW HAUL light deactivates. Tow/haul also deactivates when you power down your vehicle.
WARNING: Do not use tow/haul when the road surface is slippery. Failure to follow this instruction could result in the loss of control of your vehicle.
Understanding Your SelectShift Automatic™ Transmission
- Note: When pressing the button on the gearshift lever, you can cycle through the available drive modes.
Your vehicle has a SelectShift Automatic™ transmission gearshift lever. The SelectShift Automatic transmission gives you the ability to change gears up or down without a clutch.
To prevent the engine from running at too low an RPM, which may cause it to stall, SelectShift still makes some downshifts if it has determined that you have not downshifted in time. Although SelectShift makes some downshifts for you, it still allows you to downshift at any time if the SelectShift determines that damage to the engine does not occur from over-revving.
SelectShift does not upshift, even if the engine is approaching the RPM limit. Shift manually by pressing the + button. - Note: Engine damage may occur if you maintain excessive engine revving without shifting.
SelectShift does not automatically upshift, even if the engine is approaching the RPM limit. Shift manually by pressing the (+) paddle.
Progressive Range Selection – PRS (If Equipped)
Progressive Range Selection gives you the ability to lockout gears from the automatic shifting range. This may provide you with an improved driving experience. For example, in slippery conditions or when experiencing a steep grade.
With the gearshift lever in drive (D), press the – button to active PRS. The instrument cluster indicates the available and selected gears.
All available gears display with the current gear indicated. Press the – button again to lock out gears beginning with the highest gear. Example: press the – button twice to lock out 6th and 5th gears. Only the available gears display, and the transmission automatically shifts between the available gears. Press the + button to unlock gears to allow the transmission to shift to higher gears. The transmission shifts within the gear range you select.
Automatic Transmission at a stop (If Equipped)
Your transmission could reduce the load on the engine when the vehicle stops, and the gear selector is in drive (D) to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. The transmission resumes operation when you release the brake. This feature activates when the transmission is sufficiently warmed, and the vehicle is on a level slope.
Automatic Transmission Adaptive Learning
This feature may increase durability and provide a consistent shift feel over the life of your vehicle. A new vehicle or transmission may have firm shifts, soft shifts, or both. This is normal and does not affect function or durability of the transmission. Over time, the adaptive learning process fully updates transmission operation.
Brake-Shift Interlock
- WARNING: Do not drive your vehicle until you verify that the stoplamps are working.
- WARNING: When doing this procedure, you need to take the transmission out of park (P) which means your vehicle can roll freely. To avoid unwanted vehicle movement, always fully apply the parking brake prior to doing this procedure. Use wheel chocks if appropriate.
- WARNING: If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake warning lamp remains illuminated, the brakes may not be working properly. Have your vehicle checked as soon as possible.
Your vehicle has a brake-shift interlock feature that prevents the gearshift lever from moving from park (P) when the ignition is in the 3 (on) position and the brake pedal is not pressed.
If you cannot move the gearshift lever out of park (P) position with the ignition in the 3 (on) position and the brake pedal pressed, a malfunction may have occurred.
It is possible that a fuse has blown or your vehicle’s brake lamps are not operating properly. See Fuse Specification Chart (page 152).
If the fuse is not blown and the brake lamps are working properly, the following procedure allows you to move the gearshift lever from park (P):
- Apply the parking brake. Switch the ignition key to 1 (off), then remove the key.
- Move the steering column to the full down and full rearward position, toward the driver seat.
- Remove the gearshift lever boot.
- Place your fingers into the hole where you removed the gearshift lever boot and pull the top half of the shroud up and forward to separate it from the lower half of the shroud. There is a hinge at the forward edge of the top of the shroud. Roll the top half of the shroud upward on the hinge point, then pull straight rearward toward the driver seat to remove.
- Remove the top half of the shroud.
- Remove the three fasteners under the column that secure the lower shroud half to the column.
- Pull the lock lever into the full unlocked position and remove the lower shroud cover by pulling the lever handle through the slot in the cover.
- Apply the brake. Gently lift the override disk and move the gearshift lever into neutral (N).
- Start your vehicle.
Perform Steps 4 through 8 in reverse order, making sure to engage the hinge pivots between the upper and lower halves of the shroud. Keep slight pressure in the forward direction as you rotate the halves together.
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck in Mud or Snow
- Note: Do not rock your vehicle if the engine is not at normal operating temperature or damage to the transmission may occur.
- Note: Do not rock your vehicle for more than a minute or damage to the transmission and tires may occur, or the engine may overheat.
If your vehicle is stuck in mud or snow, you may rock it out by shifting between forward and reverse gears, stopping between shifts in a steady pattern. Press lightly on the accelerator in each gear.