Cruise Question

[Brucelinc]

So with all this, I need to have LMS check if the grade assist was enabled or disabled? Either directly or indirectly.

When in 6th gear, if you shift from Drive to Manual mode and it drops to 5th, the grade assist has been enabled.  If it stays in 6th and the "6" shows up on the display, it is not enabled.  My understanding is that the Flex was set up with "grade assist" from the factory - at least some years of Flex do that.  I do not believe a stock SHO or MKS ecoboost was set up that way.  IIRC, Larrylu had a one version of the tune that gave him the grade assist and another version that did not.  Maybe he will chime in on this.  I think maybe TSS had a change in manual mode functionality with his tune also.  I think it was done to help slow the car after a 1/4 mile pass without overheating the brakes.

[DJE624]

I think it was done to help slow the car after a 1/4 mile pass without overheating the brakes.

You are correct Bruce.  I have it too.  I haven't tested it fully yet but what I've seen so far, I like.  If you have an LMS tune, you can request that it be added.  (May take a while since it's not critical.)

[Brucelinc]

I remember Rick (when he was at LMS) and I discussed that and I could have gotten it either way.  I decided to keep that part stock knowing that I could always drop to "M" and downshift with the paddles.

[Larrylu]

Yes I have both versions. At first LMS wAS not aware of what they had changed. It was a rather benign miscue, and when they figured out how to eliminate THE Grade Assist from the 4+ tune they sent me a revised. I ran the revised for quite a while but I've recently gone back to my original file because I got some weird behavior going WOT in drive from a full stop. Rolling start was ok. My old version of 4+ seems to shift just fine from standing or rolling. Besides I kind of like the Grade Assist functionality.

[Dxlnt1]

Yes I have both versions. At first LMS wAS not aware of what they had changed. It was a rather benign miscue, and when they figured out how to eliminate THE Grade Assist from the 4+ tune they sent me a revised. I ran the revised for quite a while but I've recently gone back to my original file because I got some weird behavior going WOT in drive from a full stop. Rolling start was ok. My old version of 4+ seems to shift just fine from standing or rolling. Besides I kind of like the Grade Assist functionality.

Is there a way to limit how far the car downshifts? I would think grade assist only works while in full auto and NOT manual. Or am I wrong?

[Larrylu]

I have had no experience with the downshifting that is being described in this post. I do no extreme downhill while in cruise so I can't say what would happen with either tune file. I do know that I feel engine braking in 5th that I don't feel in 6th. I thought there probably was some freewheeling built into 6th for mileage.  In my experience whatever grade assist functions I have (probably only have a few) become available by selecting M. It is the M only that is modified. In M if a paddle is not touched the gear numbers on the display do not show....just an M. The grade assist icon shows in the dash info. The car will then shift automatically 1 through 5. My gut tells me the shift points are held a little longer and the downshifts are a bit more aggressive. TSS has established his best 0 to 60 times in this mode. It's not a huge difference though. If you touch a paddle, you revert back to what is normal for M. I'm not aware of a real downside to this quirk, and it's kind of useful as personally I'm not too likely to use the paddles and if I wanted to all I have to do is touch one. I kind of feel it's a little like a mini Sport Mode.

[DJE624]

Right again Larry.  However, I wouldn't call it a quirk.  I actually asked for it on my custom tune.  I had it on the old custom tune.  Then, when I first did the pipes and had to go back to Stage 4+, it was off the tune.  When I got the 3 Bar tune, it was back again, as requested.  I really like it and it IS kind of like a sport mode.  I hardly ever use the paddles but, I do occasionally use the "Sport Mode" now. So, as it adds up, I am custom tuned for higher boost (more than Stage 4+) below 2K and above 5K, 170 Stat, Down Pipes, and 3 Bar along with Grade Assist (Sport Mode).  I'm not sure if the intake matters but, I doubt it.   I am very happy with it.  I will have more test results soon but I think the "Sport Mode" upshifts a little sooner. 

[Larrylu]

Yes Dave in my case I think I was one of the early noticers of what was then unknown and I suspect, unintended so I tend to characterize it as a quirk. But now it is known and can be requested. As more people play with it, we can hopefully document it's assets/shortcomings if any. BTW Dave your mod list is getting impressive. Even though our cars are quite different I think our tastes are very similar. I like your choices!