Home

   Log in or Register



Insurance Quotes
forums Campsite Search Comp Directory tips virtual brochure Profile
Tent and Awning Reviews Competitions Caravans and Motorhomes For Sale Shopping Diary Advent Calendar

Advertisement

Message Forums
Welcome Guest Register Login Search The Forum Posts Since Last Visit
 Reception - All Forums
   Caravans and Caravanning -  Caravan Towcars and Towing Advice 		Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email  Printer Friendly Version Print
Subject Topic: Ford Powershift Post Reply Post New Topic
PersonC_hadwin
14/11/2021 at 7:57pm
 Location: Wigan
 Outfit: Tent View C_hadwin's Profile View Profile   Reply to C_hadwin Reply   Quote C_hadwin Quote  
Joined: 14/2/2008

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   33
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Hello I am looking at changing my tow car and have been looking at Ford Mondeo, SMAX and Galaxy I always buy manual but alot of these cars are powershift. I just wondered if any of you have a Ford with the powershift gearbox? if so how do you find it to tow and also reliability?

thanks


PersonRob and Tina
14/11/2021 at 8:41pm
 Location: Royal Forest of Dean
 Outfit:  Swift Major 4SB View Rob and Tina's Profile View Profile   Reply to Rob and Tina Reply   Quote Rob and Tina Quote  
Joined: 17/10/2007

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   3375
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
I'm on my second Galaxy with a Powershift box. I like the system, it seems to work well and has been fine for towing. Most of the problems with the gearbox occur due to lack of maintenance as the box should be flushed and refilled every 3 or 4 years and depending on mileage covered but many workshops seem to be unaware of this and claim the box is sealed for life. My current Galaxy is now 4 years old and has only covered 25000 miles but I'm getting the gearbox flushed soon as I look at it as being cheaper than turning a blind eye to the possible future problems. Volvo use a similar gearbox in a lot of their cars and also claim the unit is sealed for live.


Rob


PersonC_hadwin
14/11/2021 at 8:49pm
 Location: Wigan
 Outfit: Tent View C_hadwin's Profile View Profile   Reply to C_hadwin Reply   Quote C_hadwin Quote  
Joined: 14/2/2008

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   33
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
thanks for that.


Personiank01
15/11/2021 at 8:33am
 Location: Worcestershire
 Outfit: Buccaneer Cruiser View iank01's Profile View Profile   Reply to iank01 Reply   Quote iank01 Quote  
Joined: 30/6/2004

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   4061
Site Reviews Total: 5
Site Reviews 2024: 1  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 1  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 5
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 10
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
We had the Mondeo with the powershift box and eventually rejected the vehicle due to the box being unsuitable. ford acknowledged there was an issue and suggested that I leave it in Sport mode to compensate?
The big issue was if you drove like a gentleman most of the time the car would adapt to that style of driving and gearbox became lazy. For example, you approach a round about or Yield sign and start slowing down, you see that the vehicle to your right is still a safe distance away for you to enter the round about and cross over safely if you accelerate gently.
You accelerate gently but the car does not react as expected and seems to hesitate deciding which gear to select. By this time the vehicle to the right is no longer in your "safe" zone and you hit the pedal harder to get out the way. Car wakes up and takes off like a scalded cat.
This was a common issue on Fords including the Volvo. Otherwise it was a great car for towing and fairly comfortable. Our issue was a couple of years ago so the Powershift may have improved since.


Persondaveyjp
15/11/2021 at 8:34am
 Location: 
 Outfit:  View daveyjp's Profile View Profile   Reply to daveyjp Reply   Quote daveyjp Quote  
Joined: 02/6/2010

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   596
Tent Reviews:   1
Site Reviews Total: 4
Site Reviews 2024: 1  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 2
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
There are enough cases of this box failing for it to be avoided. Although as mentioned a proper oil, filter and possibly screen filter change should be undertaken as soon as you buy one to give some chance of it lasting more than a few years.

Ford did however drop it for a reason. It proved expensive paying fines and doing gearbox changes under warranty.


Advertisement



PersonPaul and Nikki
via mobile 15/11/2021 at 3:19pm
 Location: Stoke on Trent
 Outfit: Bailey Pegasus Modena 2016 View Paul and Nikki's Profile View Profile   Reply to Paul and Nikki Reply   Quote Paul and Nikki Quote  
Joined: 10/4/2016

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   298
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
I had a Kuga with the power shift gearbox, around 35000 miles it started crunching gears (2nd to 3rd I think) so got rid of it, I believe that the maintenance free claim is not necessarily true and that gearbox should be flushed around 30,000 miles


Personsaxo1
15/11/2021 at 3:43pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View saxo1's Profile View Profile   Reply to saxo1 Reply   Quote saxo1 Quote  
Joined: 29/10/2005

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   4486
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
there have been class actions in the USA and Australia and Ford lost, personally I wouldn't entertain one.
saxo1


PersonC_hadwin
15/11/2021 at 7:08pm
 Location: Wigan
 Outfit: Tent View C_hadwin's Profile View Profile   Reply to C_hadwin Reply   Quote C_hadwin Quote  
Joined: 14/2/2008

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   33
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Has anyone had the SMAX? Manual or Auto?


PersonSmedmorDCH
16/11/2021 at 10:38am
 Location: Gillingham KENT
 Outfit: Bailey Senator Verm View SmedmorDCH's Profile View Profile   Reply to SmedmorDCH Reply   Quote SmedmorDCH Quote  
Joined: 22/8/2005

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   204
Site Reviews Total: 19
Site Reviews 2024: 9  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 9  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 91
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 81
Site Nights 2018: 0
I have a Galaxy 2.0 ltr Diesel Manual, and when I was looking, quite a few people strongly advised against either the Auto or powershift, as previously stated, they are not up to the job. But I also spoke to a number of transmission engineers, they pointed out that the oils now used in modern gearbox's is so very fine and should be changed every 2 yrs or 20,000 to 25000 miles, I have mine changed every 2 yrs, the cost of this is the knowledge that my gearbox will last.
Just have a ask about how much a replacement G/box or even a rebuild, and the cost of regular oil change.

Best regards David


PersonBroadside
via mobile 17/11/2021 at 11:49am
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View Broadside's Profile View Profile   Reply to Broadside Reply   Quote Broadside Quote  
Joined: 15/4/2017

Silver Member
Silver Member

Forum Posts:   184
Site Reviews Total: 1
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 1  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 7
Site Nights 2018: 0
I bought a used Galaxy with Powershift, it had about 40,000 miles on the clock. After a week of ownership I rejected the vehicle due to crunching gears and the revs hunting up and down while motorway cruising. It required a new gearbox at understandably very high cost. My local taxi driver also has one and says it’s great but he’s on his second gearbox [insert crying with laughter emoji here].

I know of some other people with them but they have all been owned from new and sold on in under 2 years. I wouldn’t buy another one and in fact went for a manual Galaxy which was great.


Advertisement



PersonColin21
17/11/2021 at 2:37pm
 Location: East Herts
 Outfit: 1992 Elddis Wisp 450CT + X Trail View Colin21's Profile View Profile   Reply to Colin21 Reply   Quote Colin21 Quote  
Joined: 05/11/2013

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   6271
Site Reviews Total: 18
Site Reviews 2024: 1  
Site Reviews 2023: 1  
Site Reviews 2022: 2  
Site Reviews 2021: 2  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 2  
Site Reviews 2018: 3  
Site Nights 2024: 7
Site Nights 2023: 8
Site Nights 2022: 12
Site Nights 2021: 18
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 21
Site Nights 2018: 18
In my opinion you can't beat a conventional automatic, I wouldn't have anything else. I've had nothing else for decades.


-------------
Best Regards,
Colin


Personbessie500
17/11/2021 at 4:31pm
 Location: Lancashire
 Outfit:  Volvo X60 Coachman View bessie500's Profile View Profile   Reply to bessie500 Reply   Quote bessie500 Quote  
Joined: 11/9/2006

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   2094
Site Reviews Total: 2
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 2  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 11
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Quote: Originally posted by C_hadwin on 15/11/2021
Has anyone had the SMAX? Manual or Auto?


i had one of the 1st Smax's mine was a 07 reg which i had from new, when i ordered it i couldn't actually look at the car because it wasn't in the showrooms then.

i had the 2ltr 150BHP manual version and it was brilliant in every way, i had mine for 4 years and towed a 1500kg van with it no problem.
when the contract was up i tried to order another one but it dropped off my company car list.

apart from the car i have now it was the best all round car i ever had.

bessie





Personskipp66
18/11/2021 at 8:23pm
 Location: Essex
 Outfit: None Entered View skipp66's Profile View Profile   Reply to skipp66 Reply   Quote skipp66 Quote  
Joined: 08/6/2008

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   211
Tent Reviews:   3
Site Reviews Total: 2
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Saxo beat me too it !
If you Google ford power shift you will see a huge number of issues, Im sure i read that in Australia Ford lost badly in the courts.
I would personaly try and find a vehicle with a proper old school tourque converter auto box. Yes i know they , are not as good on fuel but a friend of mine has a Volvo V70 diesel auto 2006 which he tows with regualrly, and has done 300K on the original engine and gearbox, with nothing else apart from regular fluid and filter changes.


PersonColin21
18/11/2021 at 10:00pm
 Location: East Herts
 Outfit: 1992 Elddis Wisp 450CT + X Trail View Colin21's Profile View Profile   Reply to Colin21 Reply   Quote Colin21 Quote  
Joined: 05/11/2013

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   6271
Site Reviews Total: 18
Site Reviews 2024: 1  
Site Reviews 2023: 1  
Site Reviews 2022: 2  
Site Reviews 2021: 2  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 2  
Site Reviews 2018: 3  
Site Nights 2024: 7
Site Nights 2023: 8
Site Nights 2022: 12
Site Nights 2021: 18
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 21
Site Nights 2018: 18
Quote: Originally posted by skipp66 on 18/11/2021
I would personaly try and find a vehicle with a proper old school tourque converter auto box. Yes i know they , are not as good on fuel but a friend of mine has a Volvo V70 diesel auto 2006 which he tows with regualrly, and has done 300K on the original engine and gearbox, with nothing else apart from regular fluid and filter changes.


I couldn't agree more! I had a year 2000 Volvo V70 2.5 diesel with a conventional auto box and it was great. An excellent tow-car. I sold it 2 years ago mainly because I wanted something with a higher driving position after owning it for 9 years. It is still going strong with 215,000 miles on the clock, and its current owner has just taxed it again for another year.

Actually conventional autos are not that much worse on fuel than a manual as they once were. Early autos weren't so good as there was always a degree of controlled-slip, even at speed, but later ones had a torque converter lock-up clutch which eliminates that slip when the car is up to speed. My Volvo had a lock-up clutch even 21 years ago.


-------------
Best Regards,
Colin



In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev       Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Caravan Towcars and Towing Advice - Top of Page

Printer Friendly Version Printable version      Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email


Latest News, Discounts and Competitions  see all...

6284 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker  -  Recommend to Friend  -  Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums]  [Caravan Sites & Camping]  [Company Listings]  [Features / Advice]  [Virtual Brochure]  [Shop!]
[Reception]  [Competitions]  [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale]  [Event Diary]  [Contact Us]  [Tent Reviews] 



Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024


Advertisement
Advertisement


UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar

Advent Calendar

24 Daily Prizes PLUS a Christmas Day Star Prize worth £999

Request a Reminder