Trans tries to wake up, but hits the snooze button

Some 2009-2010 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner and Milan vehicles equipped with a 6F35 transmission may exhibit a harsh 1-2 shift or 2-3 shift flare that occurs on the first couple of shifts of the day, an intermittent harsh first engagement (primarily reverse but occasionally drive), with no DTCs present.

Check and set ATF level at 185 degrees Fahrenheit to the top of the hash marks (normal fluid level). For a vehicle that will be flat-towed, set fluid level to the flat-tow section of the dipstick. Fluid temperature must be 185 to 200 degrees F in order to check or set the level.

Reprogram the PCM to the latest calibration using Integrated Diagnostic System (IDS) release 76.03 or higher.

Advise the customer that the vehicle is equipped with an adaptive transmission shift strategy which allows the vehicle computer to learn the transmission’s unique parameters and improve shift quality. When the adaptive strategy is reset, the computer will begin a re-learning process which may result in firmer than normal upshifts and downshifts for several days.