Transmission issues between 1 & 2

[AllBlackSport]

2015 Ram 1500 Hemi

I'm having a problem with flare shifting between 1 and 2 only when I drive my truck after it has been sitting for a while. Then after that initial shift issue, it shifts fine the rest of the time I'm driving it, until it sits for a bit.

Has anyone heard of or had this problem before? If I take it to a trans shop and tell them what I just explained, would they know what I'm talking about?

Help please

 

[FriedDumpling]

Can you describe flare shifting?


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[crazykid1994]

8spd? A lot of 8spd trucks have a funky 1-2 shift after sitting for a while. I let my truck idle after startup for a minute then accelerate up as slow as I can till it shifts to second and it doesn’t act up. If I accelerate like regular it’ll spike rpm and jump a little almost when it shifts

 

[FriedDumpling]

8spd? A lot of 8spd trucks have a funky 1-2 shift after sitting for a while. I let my truck idle after startup for a minute then accelerate up as slow as I can till it shifts to second and it doesn’t act up. If I accelerate like regular it’ll spike rpm and jump a little almost when it shifts

As an owner of an 8 speed, and someone who is hyper focused on my vehicle’s performance, I noticed when the vehicle is “cold” the vehicle transmission is sloppy 1st to 2nd @ first shift, thereafter pretty smooth...at least until the vehicle cools again. I would describe this as a stutter.

You’ll also see a lot in the forum about the shifting “tap” or “bump”, when the transmission downshifts from 2nd to 1st. This typically happens when the driver decelerates too quickly from a high rate of speed and it feels like the vehicle is tapped from behind.


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[crackerjack1957]

As an owner of an 8 speed, and someone who is hyper focused on my vehicle’s performance, I noticed when the vehicle is “cold” the vehicle transmission is sloppy 1st to 2nd @ first shift, thereafter pretty smooth...at least until the vehicle cools again. I would describe this as a stutter.

You’ll also see a lot in the forum about the shifting “tap” or “bump”, when the transmission downshifts from 2nd to 1st. This typically happens when the driver decelerates too quickly from a high rate of speed and it feels like the vehicle is tapped from behind.


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Sounds to me you may have been racing.....drafting on the rear bumper......lol

 

[FriedDumpling]

Sounds to me you may have been racing.....drafting on the rear bumper......lol

Nah, all kidding aside I am surprised how gingerly the vehicle needs to be driven to avoid some of the quirks.

I have had the learning mode enabled a number of time (feels the best when learning) but always reverts. Also have had the valve body services to try and eliminate these nuisance issues. Think it’s just the way the vehicles are built.


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[AllBlackSport]

I went for a 5 speed to this 8 speed and I almost think I like the 5 speed better. It does exactly like you talked about FriedDumpling, a weird-ass shutter between first and second gear when it's cold. I'll try the warm up technique to see if that helps some. I was going to take it to a trans shop but if its "kinda the norm" I'll try to ignore it as much as I can.

But all in all when the truck warms up the transmission shift great.

I kind of like to downshift when I decelerate fast. It takes me back to my old manual transmission days.

 

[AllBlackSport]

Oh, also, what's learning mode?

 

[FriedDumpling]

So I think what you described is standard for many of the pickups. Mine is a 2015 / 1500 Big Horn.

The vehicle has an adaptive transmission and can put be put into a learning mode (by the dealer) to be responsive and learn the individual driving behaviors. It is conceivable that that once it has re-adapted those annoyances go away. The dealer can make sure that the softwares flashed with the most current version. I was told this may also correct the “tap” described above.

If not resolved with a software update, the next recommended step is a valve body service, which I also did, more-so for the “tap”.

Both issues are still present, but I am told that it is more of a nuisance issue than something that could cause any damage. I might be able to force the issue into a trans rebuild, but honestly don’t want to do anything that invasive. The dealer has done a decent job accommodating me, and the issue doesn’t seem to be unique to me.


So, here’s what I do...

1. In the morning at initial launch take it nice and easy down the road. Nothing too aggressive, just neighborhood easy driving. After an easy upshift and downshift it’s good to go. The issue isn’t really continued after that, almost like it needs to “wake up”.

2. When coming to a stop, coast and allow a reasonable distance with a soft brake.

3. Lastly, and perhaps unrelated, I prefer local driving with the MDS off. I feel like there is a hiccup sometimes when ECO kicks on and off.

There’s a lot to like about the vehicle, but stop-and-go traffic blows in this truck because of how quick it goes through lower gears.






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[16RamHemi]

manually shifting these trucks makes it a MUCH better driving experience imo. especially if you have an exhaust. getting her up over 3k rpms is right where it starts to sound good. +1 on the decelerating too. run in tow haul and it downshifts much sooner when slowing down too. i prefer rolling into the throttle. without manually shifting it will short shift unless you stomp on it and hammer down. there is a time for that. but most driving i just want to tach it up more.

 

[FriedDumpling]

manually shifting these trucks makes it a MUCH better driving experience imo. especially if you have an exhaust. getting her up over 3k rpms is right where it starts to sound good. +1 on the decelerating too. run in tow haul and it downshifts much sooner when slowing down too. i prefer rolling into the throttle. without manually shifting it will short shift unless you stomp on it and hammer down. there is a time for that. but most driving i just want to tach it up more.

Flomaster Catback...sucks in ECO.


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[16RamHemi]

i shut mds off every time i drive my truck. HAAAATE it. i forgot once since i bought my truck and right away i heard it and thought "what is wrong with my truck". checked guages and saw i forgot to shut it off . borla catback.

 

[FriedDumpling]

i shut mds off every time i drive my truck. HAAAATE it. i forgot once since i bought my truck and right away i heard it and thought "what is wrong with my truck". checked guages and saw i forgot to shut it off . borla catback.

Wish it was on a switch, feel like I am playing a video game every time I shut it off.

2 quick questions, slightly off topic...

1. Have you noticed sometimes the at startup the exhaust flow seems stronger than others?

2. Have you noticed the buttons on the front of the steering wheel sometimes are less responsive, like when you’re cycling through vehicle info?


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[16RamHemi]

Wish it was on a switch, feel like I am playing a video game every time I shut it off.

2 quick questions, slightly off topic...

1. Have you noticed sometimes the at startup the exhaust flow seems stronger than others?

2. Have you noticed the buttons on the front of the steering wheel sometimes are less responsive, like when you’re cycling through vehicle info?


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absolutely. when i start my truck she ROARS to life. i love it. no hiding this exhaust. but cruising around its not as loud.

i know exactly what you are talking about with the buttons. my last 16 and 14 were much worse than my curremt 14. this one seems to have better button response. the past 2 would be really difficult at times. no idea why.

 

[FriedDumpling]

absolutely. when i start my truck she ROARS to life. i love it. no hiding this exhaust. but cruising around its not as loud.

i know exactly what you are talking about with the buttons. my last 16 and 14 were much worse than my curremt 14. this one seems to have better button response. the past 2 would be really difficult at times. no idea why.

Actually what I meant to ask, sometimes at start up roar for sure. Other times still a roar, just not as strong. Don’t know why?


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[16RamHemi]

Actually what I meant to ask, sometimes at start up roar for sure. Other times still a roar, just not as strong. Don’t know why?


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so at start up yours doesnt seem to roar the same every time? some more than others?

 

[FriedDumpling]

so at start up yours doesnt seem to roar the same every time? some more than others?

Good roar in the morning...sits all day at work after a short commute. Stronger roar, on start up for ride home. Not sure if it’s acoustics or what...

I’d expect it to be more consistent....


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[16RamHemi]

Good roar in the morning...sits all day at work after a short commute. Stronger roar, on start up for ride home. Not sure if it’s acoustics or what...

I’d expect it to be more consistent....


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hmm...i feel like mine is consistent. but who knows. i wouldnt worry much about it. idle and oil pressure good?

 

[FriedDumpling]

hmm...i feel like mine is consistent. but who knows. i wouldnt worry much about it. idle and oil pressure good?

Yeah, just a little OCD about the vehicle. Thanks!


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[RamCares]

2015 Ram 1500 Hemi

I'm having a problem with flare shifting between 1 and 2 only when I drive my truck after it has been sitting for a while. Then after that initial shift issue, it shifts fine the rest of the time I'm driving it, until it sits for a bit.

Has anyone heard of or had this problem before? If I take it to a trans shop and tell them what I just explained, would they know what I'm talking about?

Help please

Hi AllBlackSport,
If you decide to have this concern addressed by your dealer, please send our team a private message and we would be happy to offer some additional assistance!
Alex
Ram Social Care Specialist