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Smax 2011 Gear Transmission


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#1
smax2011

Posted 20 December 2013 - 05:21 PM

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Hello all SMAX owners, I'm currently driving the Ford Smax that I bought in year 2011. In the begining, I just loved this car so much eapecially the power it delivered is such impressive compare to same range line of MPV in the market. Except the air conditioning system isn't so effective especially in Asia which is hot season at 90% of the year.

I sometimes use the Sport mode as well as the Tip-Tronic as to ensure that it works properly and it was so impressive just dash out from the toll booth. Driving in this MPV I just feel like driving a sedan car because of it ground clerance and also the power distributed by the EcoBoost Engine.

Until July of 2013, the transmission statred to acting up, especially when 1st gear is engaged. During the bumper to bumper traffic the car just jerk like crazy. I've tried to used the manual function provided to engage the 2nd gear and it can move smoothly. I sent in my car to PJ Branch, they identified the problem as converter impairment but until today it has yet to be fixed and what they said is waiting for the special tools.

May I know if any of you having the same transmission problem as I do so far ?

#2
joker98

Posted 20 December 2013 - 11:36 PM

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QUOTE (smax2011 @ Dec 20 2013, 05:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hello all SMAX owners, I'm currently driving the Ford Smax that I bought in year 2011. In the begining, I just loved this car so much eapecially the power it delivered is such impressive compare to same range line of MPV in the market. Except the air conditioning system isn't so effective especially in Asia which is hot season at 90% of the year.

I sometimes use the Sport mode as well as the Tip-Tronic as to ensure that it works properly and it was so impressive just dash out from the toll booth. Driving in this MPV I just feel like driving a sedan car because of it ground clerance and also the power distributed by the EcoBoost Engine.

Until July of 2013, the transmission statred to acting up, especially when 1st gear is engaged. During the bumper to bumper traffic the car just jerk like crazy. I've tried to used the manual function provided to engage the 2nd gear and it can move smoothly. I sent in my car to PJ Branch, they identified the problem as converter impairment but until today it has yet to be fixed and what they said is waiting for the special tools.

May I know if any of you having the same transmission problem as I do so far ?


I have same batch as yours. No problem. 20000km now. Even remapped to 240PS. But I must highlight that my Smax is used solely for carrying my family around during off-peak hours and on road trips North or South. Therefore, the 20,000kms are mainly smooth highway driving with the occasional sprints here and there.

The Smax comes with a dual clutch transmission after all and they are known to have some issues, especially if they are subjected to daily traffic crawling conditions for extended periods (like VWs) it seems. Used to own a PGTI but never had any issues with it. But then it was also never subjected to traffic congestion conditions. On the other hand I already know quite a few people who have sent in DSGs and all get stuck in traffic daily and never heard of putting gear to neutral during a jam.



#3
behcw

Posted 23 December 2013 - 09:32 AM

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did you try chg the gearbox fluid ... our hot weather is not kind to the transmission. And also sometimes the said duration that works well in colder countries doesn't work here especially if you got traffic jam everyday.
Don't wait for chances, create them!
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#4
Kevin

Posted 23 December 2013 - 02:20 PM

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I've covered 50k km in mine. First batch as well. No issues with the gearbox to date and I travel on highways and in jams.

#5
smax2011

Posted 28 December 2013 - 09:04 AM

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QUOTE (behcw @ Dec 23 2013, 09:32 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
did you try chg the gearbox fluid ... our hot weather is not kind to the transmission. And also sometimes the said duration that works well in colder countries doesn't work here especially if you got traffic jam everyday.


Hi, yes I fianlly changed the transmission fluid at Damansara branch.

When I asked the Branch Manager in PJ branch he told me the gearbox for Smax is dried clutch hence no fluid replacement is required hence I have never ask and I always send in my car into PJ branch to service and I don't think they replace for me either. Until one day they are full for service and I sent in to Damansara branch for 70,000km major service.

After the fluid replacement the transmission is a little smooth compare to before. Shall I also change the fluid in every 40,000km?


#6
Kevin

Posted 30 December 2013 - 08:23 PM

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QUOTE (smax2011 @ Dec 28 2013, 09:04 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi, yes I fianlly changed the transmission fluid at Damansara branch.

When I asked the Branch Manager in PJ branch he told me the gearbox for Smax is dried clutch hence no fluid replacement is required hence I have never ask and I always send in my car into PJ branch to service and I don't think they replace for me either. Until one day they are full for service and I sent in to Damansara branch for 70,000km major service.

After the fluid replacement the transmission is a little smooth compare to before. Shall I also change the fluid in every 40,000km?

It is a wet clutch gearbox.

The ESP programme specifies gearbox flushing at 60k km. Didn't SDAC PJ do this as part of your ESP programme?

#7
teewan

Posted 05 January 2014 - 08:41 AM

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My Mondeo is also slowly feeling a bit jerky especially during throttle lift off at lower speeds.

After changing transmission fluid at PJ sc (around RM900), it only improved a little in terms of jerk.
And I'm so disappointed that they do not have the equipment to do a full flush, one technician told me.
They can only drain and top up.

Not sure if this is indeed faulty or not since dual clutches are known to be less smooth than torque converter and CVVT boxes.

Since the original schedule is for 60kkm, you'd best stick to that schedule.

#8
klaatu08

Posted 05 January 2014 - 01:18 PM

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QUOTE (teewan @ Jan 5 2014, 08:41 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
My Mondeo is also slowly feeling a bit jerky especially during throttle lift off at lower speeds.

After changing transmission fluid at PJ sc (around RM900), it only improved a little in terms of jerk.
And I'm so disappointed that they do not have the equipment to do a full flush, one technician told me.
They can only drain and top up.

Not sure if this is indeed faulty or not since dual clutches are known to be less smooth than torque converter and CVVT boxes.

Since the original schedule is for 60kkm, you'd best stick to that schedule.

Hi teewan, when did u start to encounter the jerkiness ? At what mileage?

Am surprise that even SDAC PJ do not hv the tool to do a full flush on Powershift GB? As I know they are the main SC for Ford Malaysia.

#9
teewan

Posted 05 January 2014 - 03:38 PM

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Jerkiness since around the 1 year mark, though I've indeed given more stress to the gearbox than most would.
That'd be around 20 or 25kkm, slowly getting more noticeable. Odometer now at around 35kkm.

I've stressed the gearbox going up genting 2 or 3 times, getting transmission overheat reading from ECU, and had to cool down before it would let me startup again tongue.gif

The jerkiness is not a biggy though, like a hesitation causing a bad shift. I don't feel it much, but hear it more. Happens when the ecu decides to downshift and you let go the throttle, or when you give a light throttle when the gearbox had just downshifted. On spirited WOT drives, no jerk at all.

According to the SC, powershift flush requires special machine, which is not the same type as torque converter boxes.

#10
behcw

Posted 06 January 2014 - 08:29 AM

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normally for hill climb and descend .. i switch to S mode .. as i felt the normal D is too lethargic ..and does not provide engine braking ... also holding onto the gears more means less shift .. maybe that will help??
Don't wait for chances, create them!
Life is short, Play Hard!

http://behcw.blogspot.com