2018 Ford Escape - Shifts high

Maintenance/Repairs
1

I have the 2.5 liter engine with 6 speed auto, but I feel that it doesn’t upshift on time. It usually waits until at least 3,500 rpm or higher for shifting - while I always thought that a car should shift as quickly as possible for better gas mileage as long as you don’t lug the engine. I feel 3,500 rpm is too late. Do other drivers also see the shifts at this 3,500 (or higher) spot?

2

Apparently the car’s computer doesn’t feel this is too late. Since the car is still under warranty, have you asked your Ford dealer this question?

3

Yes, I have taken it to Ford and they “reset the transmission computer” and that seemed to bring down the shifting rpm from 4k-4.5k to 3.5k, but
it still feels like it shifts too late - the engine will feel like it is rev-ving but the car is not going any faster (exactly like if you stay in one gear too long).

What are average shift points?

4

Shift points usually match how soon you want to reach a certain speed . Are you saying your shifts are at the same RPM whether you are trying to reach 60 MPH slowly or fast ?
Also did you not notice this in your test drive?

5

Let’s see… 4 cylinder engine, heavy car, maximum engine torque at 4500 rpm. So a 3500 rpm shift point seems about right. I don’t know how hard you are trying to accelerate but this is a 3700 lb vehicle, powered by a 168 hp, 170 ft-lb torque engine.

My 3850 lb Mustang shifts at about 2100 RPM at light throttle but has 420 hp and 395 ft-lbs from its V8 engine.

Are you just speculating the shift point is incorrect based on, what? Previous experience with V6 or V8 powered cars?

6

I usually accelerate slowly (old man driver) and I really noticed it because I could hear/feel the engine rev-ving higher and higher but the car not really accelerating - giving it gas but no increase in speed. And maybe this is normal but I would have thought that as a 6 speed auto it would have shifted sooner, not later (most of my cars are low powered (cheap) cars). And you are probably correct - there is no one answer as to what is the correct shift point (too many variables).