Ford (Mondeo) 'Powershift' Gearbox - any good?
Discussion
I've been looking at Mk4.5 'Dagenham dustbins', and just wondered if anyone has first-hand experience of the 6-speed 'Powershift' gearbox.
Does it equate to other manufacturers' offerings in terms of mechanical operating principle, and are there any known weaknesses? I've only ever driven conventional 'slush box' automatics in the past - which I've been quite happy with, TBH.
It's likely to be 2011-on vintage, mated to the 163PS diesel engine.
Just google it, known by many as the "powers
t" as it basically suffers the same failures as the VW version. Both are made by Getrag and while the principle is fine I believe the gearboxes cannot handle the torque of modern diesel engines in particular.
Another point being that most drivers treat them the same as torque converter automatics, creeping in traffic burns the clutches out and then owners are left with huge bills for repair. Don't expect any help from a dealer or the manufacturer as all deny any problem despite the fact that the powershift transmission is the basis of the Australian Government's prosecution of Ford for breaking their consumer laws.
t" as it basically suffers the same failures as the VW version. Both are made by Getrag and while the principle is fine I believe the gearboxes cannot handle the torque of modern diesel engines in particular. Another point being that most drivers treat them the same as torque converter automatics, creeping in traffic burns the clutches out and then owners are left with huge bills for repair. Don't expect any help from a dealer or the manufacturer as all deny any problem despite the fact that the powershift transmission is the basis of the Australian Government's prosecution of Ford for breaking their consumer laws.
Boobonman said:
Have driven rental Galaxy’s with the same ‘box and they’ve been fine. I think from memory they have got the manual over ride the “correct” way round too, eg pull back for up and push forward for down.
Ha! Funny how personal taste can differ so much, i found this the wrong way round 
Later ones get flappy paddles too, not sure when they came in but if it's of interest to the OP to have this ability then worth looking out for.
Thanks for the replies, chaps.
It looks like I should draw a veil over the Powershift box - even if only for the naff name
Mechanical failures may be tolerable (just) if the car's in warranty, but not afterwards. It's not as though there's a shortage of manual box versions around...
Cheers.
It looks like I should draw a veil over the Powershift box - even if only for the naff name
Mechanical failures may be tolerable (just) if the car's in warranty, but not afterwards. It's not as though there's a shortage of manual box versions around...
Cheers.
Very apt this post as I’m currently sat in a Ford dealers. My 2016 mondeo powershift needs a new gearbox ! It’s a lease car, 119000 miles, serviced at every interval and had the box oil changed twice in that time, it’s never been abused. All the miles are motorway use. I suspect the leasecompany will write the car off. Very disappointing as the gearbox was the best bit of driving it.
Boobonman said:
Have driven rental Galaxy’s with the same ‘box and they’ve been fine. I think from memory they have got the manual over ride the “correct” way round too, eg pull back for up and push forward for down.
I have it in my 2014 2.0D Focus, the manual mode is pointless as they added just two flimsy buttons into the shifter so is a bit awkward to use, and is never really needed. The sport mode is fun too and changes very quick, its my first auto so I have nothing to compare it to though
Matt-il77s said:
Boobonman said:
Have driven rental Galaxy’s with the same ‘box and they’ve been fine. I think from memory they have got the manual over ride the “correct” way round too, eg pull back for up and push forward for down.
I have it in my 2014 2.0D Focus, the manual mode is pointless as they added just two flimsy buttons into the shifter so is a bit awkward to use, and is never really needed. The sport mode is fun too and changes very quick, its my first auto so I have nothing to compare it to thoughdonkmeister said:
Boobonman said:
Have driven rental Galaxy’s with the same ‘box and they’ve been fine. I think from memory they have got the manual over ride the “correct” way round too, eg pull back for up and push forward for down.
Ha! Funny how personal taste can differ so much, i found this the wrong way round Later ones get flappy paddles too, not sure when they came in but if it's of interest to the OP to have this ability then worth looking out for.
The majority of manufacturers seemed to disagree with this, though, perhaps because the average driver doesn't watch BTCC or downshift whilst standing on the brakes.
We've had the powershift in a 170bhp TDCI (64-plate) Smax for the last 4.5 years, no problems at all.
Although its (my wifes) lease car i've tried to treat it with some sympathy, knocking into neutral at the lights, etc
I thought the Ford ones were different from VAG ones (different manufacturer)?
the only thing i'd say about the manual override (J-gate style on ours not those crappy looking buttons) is that its not full override ie if you stick it in 4th for an overtake and floor it, it will change into 3rd if it thinks it knows better so i almost never use Manuel
Although its (my wifes) lease car i've tried to treat it with some sympathy, knocking into neutral at the lights, etc
I thought the Ford ones were different from VAG ones (different manufacturer)?
the only thing i'd say about the manual override (J-gate style on ours not those crappy looking buttons) is that its not full override ie if you stick it in 4th for an overtake and floor it, it will change into 3rd if it thinks it knows better so i almost never use Manuel
mrbarnett said:
I've always been of the opinion that it should be "pull back for up and push forward for down", mainly because of watching BTCC, I think. When standing on the brakes, your arm is thrown forward, so pushing the lever forward to downshift seems natural to me. Same, though to a lesser extent, with accelerating, where your arm naturally wants to move backwards.
The majority of manufacturers seemed to disagree with this, though, perhaps because the average driver doesn't watch BTCC or downshift whilst standing on the brakes.
I have pondered over similar, I'm used to my ZF8 which has it the 'correct' way round BTCC style, jumped into my mates Golf R and quickly found out it's the other way round! The majority of manufacturers seemed to disagree with this, though, perhaps because the average driver doesn't watch BTCC or downshift whilst standing on the brakes.
If it is anything like the 'auto' box used on the current Fiesta then it is hopeless. Manual mode with the paddles is incredibly delayed, actually slower then a proper manual gearbox and much slower than the 4 speed autobox in the Hyundai I also drove recently. In the Ford, if you were changing up under throttle, the revs would rise about 300rpm between pulling the paddle and the change actually commencing.
Compared to VW DSG box (as per the 1.6 TDI Leon I recently had) it was like night and day difference. The DSG responded to inputs instantly and the gearchanges themselves were so snappy.
In automode it was ok, although quite easily caught out, leading to some jerky changes when pulling out of junctions.
Not sure if this is the same box as in the old Mondeo though
Compared to VW DSG box (as per the 1.6 TDI Leon I recently had) it was like night and day difference. The DSG responded to inputs instantly and the gearchanges themselves were so snappy.
In automode it was ok, although quite easily caught out, leading to some jerky changes when pulling out of junctions.
Not sure if this is the same box as in the old Mondeo though
There are dry clutch and wet clutch Powershift gear boxes.
I have a Mondeo, a 2016 210bhp with Powershift. There was no option for manual gearbox for this.
So long as you adhere to the service schedule for the wet clutch gearbox oils change, 3 years or 32,000 miles there are no problems. However the downside is that it costs a not insignificant amount of money for the oil change.
In general, wet clutch Powershift gearboxes have very few problems and this is what you get with the Mondeo. There have been problems with the dry clutch Powershift which was fitted to the Focus and C-Max etc.
Incidentally, the Powershift on my car is smooth, it has a Sport setting and paddle shifters (which I never use) and fuel consumption is good.
I have a Mondeo, a 2016 210bhp with Powershift. There was no option for manual gearbox for this.
So long as you adhere to the service schedule for the wet clutch gearbox oils change, 3 years or 32,000 miles there are no problems. However the downside is that it costs a not insignificant amount of money for the oil change.
In general, wet clutch Powershift gearboxes have very few problems and this is what you get with the Mondeo. There have been problems with the dry clutch Powershift which was fitted to the Focus and C-Max etc.
Incidentally, the Powershift on my car is smooth, it has a Sport setting and paddle shifters (which I never use) and fuel consumption is good.
Edited by LarsG on Monday 13th May 00:55
donkmeister said:
Boobonman said:
Have driven rental Galaxy’s with the same ‘box and they’ve been fine. I think from memory they have got the manual over ride the “correct” way round too, i.e. pull back for up and push forward for down.
Ha! Funny how personal taste can differ so much, i found this the wrong way round Later ones get flappy paddles too, not sure when they came in but if it's of interest to the OP to have this ability then worth looking out for.
They are invariably back for down.
We have it in a 2013 SMAX we've taken from 30k to 70k with no problem. That's a big heavy car and has been faultless 5 and 7 up and packed with holiday kit on some very long cross-Europe hauls.
I slip it into S if the roads are hilly with lots of bends just to keep the urgency but otherwise it does a very good job of being in the right gear at the right time. It really responds well to getting the box oil changed every 20k or so.
I also have a DSG Passat and whilst that's the smoother box and seems to have faster changes it's also a 5 years newer and has done half the mileage and is pulling less weight.
As for googling 'problems' you'll always find some. Google 'problems being a millionaire' or 'problems being married to a model' and someone will have posted a tonne of content!
I slip it into S if the roads are hilly with lots of bends just to keep the urgency but otherwise it does a very good job of being in the right gear at the right time. It really responds well to getting the box oil changed every 20k or so.
I also have a DSG Passat and whilst that's the smoother box and seems to have faster changes it's also a 5 years newer and has done half the mileage and is pulling less weight.
As for googling 'problems' you'll always find some. Google 'problems being a millionaire' or 'problems being married to a model' and someone will have posted a tonne of content!
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