If you were to attempt to perform the same functions with a conventional manual transmission, you’d be making noises too! Here’s what to expect: There are high-speed, high-torque electric motors moving gearbox and clutch components in fractions of a second. Unusual noises are a typical customer complaint. Once you’ve reached an appropriate speed, the function completely releases the brakes. The computer controls torque transfer and brake application in forward or reverse to achieve the smoothest operation. Low-Speed Driving/Creep Mode: This function incorporates braking along with precise clutch control to produce drive quality similar to an automatic transmission.Under normal driving conditions, the transmission shifts to neutral to prevent trailer hitching and improve overall driveability and fuel economy. Neutral Coastdown: This function engages once you apply the brakes.Once you’ve achieved adequate torque transfer, the computer releases the brakes. The brakes remain applied until you let the clutch apply enough for the vehicle to move in the intended direction while you switch from the brake to the accelerator pedal.
The computer system applies the brakes when the driver is either in drive going uphill or in reverse backing up a grade. Hill Mode/Launch Assist: Sensors detect when the vehicle operates on a grade.On the other hand, it has some unique operating features that make it feel more like an automatic transmission. One thing to keep in mind: This is a manual transmission that shifts automatically! If you expect more, you’ll be disappointed. Despite the quirkiness of this unit, it delivers respectable performance in an economical package.
Some very noteworthy oddities are considered normal for these vehicles. If you aren’t familiar, go to a dealership and take one for a test drive. On-off throttle operation, coastdown and low-speed noises, and kickdown are common areas of concern.Īs a technician, it’s extremely important that you know what this unit is supposed to feel and sound like. One major concern with these units lies with the customer’s perception of how the vehicle feels during normal operation.
That being said, let’s take a real-world look at the DPS6. Since they operate differently than any conventional automatic transmission, they have a unique feel and function. These transmissions are becoming more abundant in the U.S. Borg Warner, the manufacturer, designates it as the 6DCT-250. Bill Brayton wrote an article on the inner operation of this unit in the June 2014 edition of GEARS.įor reference purposes, Ford also refers to this unit as the powershift transmission. It’s a direct-shift gearbox (DSG) consisting of a dual, dry-disc clutch assembly, fully controlled by an external transmission control module (TCM). In fact, this type of transmission is preferred for high-end, high-performance vehicles.įor argument’s sake, consider this an entry-level unit. The DPS6 transmission in Ford Fiesta and Focus models has been around long enough for us to accept that they aren’t going away.