I was kinda "forced" into purchasing a new (to me) truck after having problems repairing my '05. (see the 3rd gen forum for that story). Anyway, this '20 drives like a 16 year old trying to learn a stick-shift. The trans is slow in shifting, and the torque converter is not unlocking while slowing down to a stop. I also realized that hitting tow/haul mode while driving on the expressway in 8th gear does nothing. ...no downshift at all.

So the truck goes back into the dealer for a looksee next week. We'll see if they figure it out.

I really realized how bad the thing was when I jumped into my '05 and realized the shifts were imperceptible. ...and people claim that is the worst trans that Chrysler made! ...170k miles on the engine and trans on that '05 and it is STILL my go to truck.

Stay tuned!

 

I got the truck back and there really isn't much of an improvement. The dealership said that they applied a software update for hard shifting. It goes back in next week for their "trans guy" to take a look at it.

 

Hi D-train,
Please feel free to keep us updated regarding your situation. If we can be of any additional support while your vehicle is in service, we're just a PM away.

Rob
Dodge Cares

 

So the truck went in. They called me today. They had a couple of techs drive it and their trans guy drive it. They put about 200 miles on it and they said that it shifts as expected. So I have to wait til after the weekend to go in and ride around with the tech. I know that I can re-create the poor shifting. I guess that I'll find out if my expectations are too high and these trans don't shift as good as their predecessors, or if there is an issue with mine.

Stay tuned!

 

So I went in and drove around with the trans guy. Every example that I was able to replicate he said was normal for this trans. As told to him by Chrysler also. I'll just try summarize the two big things, besides the slow shifting and occasional revving up to a shift. Keep in mind this stuff is very perceptible while driving around the neighborhood below 30mph.
--The torque converter remains locked almost always ...all the way down to 8 miles an hour, this means alot of engine braking at most speeds. Kinda unpleasant. Which brings me to the most annoying characteristic... The "California stop" as the tech referred to it. ie a rolling stop. The trans remains in 4th gear all of the way down to about 8mph, with the converter locked while you're barely rolling. This gives you the sensation that your brakes are grabbing/pulsating as you slow down. Then when you give it gas, it decides to downshift to 3 or 2 then BAM. The tech flat out told me that he has told them about it and their response was that it is normal. ...for the 9 speeds also. Chrysler says that you need to come to a come to a complete stop. The problem with that is you literally have to count to "2" for that trans to knock down to first gear. (not always practical Chrysler) If this weren't an issue, I could probably deal with the other poor shift issues.
--This thing is worrying about shifting instead of just MOVING. This really is a safety issue when you pull out to merge into traffic and it slows down to shift (and you thought that the old Torque Management was bad on the 545rfe's!)
--Tow/haul-This doesn't always lock out 8th gear. ...and I find myself watching my tach to see if it really holds gears longer. I have yet to tow something with the truck.

You can rip on me for being too critical, but with the tech's acknowledgement/reaction to the items, and he says "you can't compare it to the 545 it's an apples to oranges comparison" that answer doesn't get you anywhere. These transmissions are supposed to be improvements on their predecessors. I shouldn't need to "learn how to drive an automatic trans" to get it to shift smoothly.

I have realized two things, 1.)As I said this is most noticeable at low-speed driving. ...really a pain when driving around the neighborhood and this thing is slipping and slamming into gears, with five people in the truck with their heads bobbing at almost every shift point. (que Wayne's World and Bohemian Rhapsody! ) 2.)If you are heavy on the pedal from start to stop, this thing shifts ALOT more smoothly. (unfortunately not always practical either Chrysler).

My Plan:
I will give myself about two weeks to see if I get used to this. (ie learn how to drive an automatic) I'll have a couple of my friends drive it also and give their opinion. ...fellow car guys. If time allows, I will try to test drive another comparable Ram at another dealer. If I can find one. I'm also going to drive my buddy's 2021 Toyota Tundra for a comparison. After all of this, then I'll make a decision as to whether it stays or goes. That will probably mean taking a loss, but better than being miserable with something.

Do I want to keep it. Sure, it's got a great interior, rides smooth. However, I would hope to be happy driving a $50k+ truck, and not being frustrated while driving it.

Stay tuned...

 

Judging from most of your comments about the shifting and such, it sounds to me like the previous owner (might want to look and see who it was) raw dogged it and smoked the clutches a bit. As in over towing and overheating the fluid. I think it would be wise to drive another one like yours around a little while and see how it compares.

 

Yup, a couple of test drives are in the plans, and I was going to pull the plug on the trans and check the level and color.

 

Part of what you're describing sounds to me like MDS. Turn off MDS and try it. I think it may have less to do with the trans than you think.

 

Life is just getting in the way of getting out to take some test drives. I did try turning off my HSA (hill start assist) and I realized much smoother shifts. Then after about five days, back to cr@p shifting.

One thing that I also realized... Coming to a stop in wet weather, this thing gives you the sensation of tires slipping/skidding as the trans is "downshifting" (remember the torque converter is remaining locked down to a crawl !!!). My wife noticed it too, and now she won't drive it in the rain.

I assume that the only way to turn off MDS is to get a tuner. Well, I'm not going to get one if there is a chance that this thing is getting sold. ...actually, I've held off on the bed liner, and rear air suspension too.

This weekend I hope to get under there and check the trans fluid, and get out and get some test drives in on other Rams.

 

You can disable MDS temporarily by putting it into manual mode to do a comparison. Press the "-" button on the steering wheel to put it into manual mode and shift it into 8th gear so it will still shift up through all the gears. I've read putting it into Tow/Haul mode does it as well but people have reported MDS activating even in Tow/Haul mode.

Look up "How to disable MDS" on YouTube".