Drivability?

[ckissick]

I drive either old cars or VWs, and I never heard of "drivability" of a new car. My SIL had work done on her new Ford that required disconnecting the battery. She likes to take off fast from a start and stop quickly. Her husband likes to take off slowly and stop gradually. When she got the car back it hesitated off the line. Hubby with the light foot did a test drive and noticed no difference.

SIL was convinced that something was wrong, so she asked the mechanic. He said it takes the car a few days to learn the driving style of the driver and makes adjustments to find the right level of "Drivability". Was he BS'ing her? I never heard of this. I don't think new VWs do this. BTW, after a few days, the Ford stopped hesitating.

[chapo]

Yrs, the routine Ford Guru on youtube I watch suggests resetting the throttle body when you clean the MAP sensor because it learns your habits. if you want to change habits, you need to reset it.

[stomachmonkey]

Been a thing for a while.

google Ford Adaptive Transmission Control

[Tervuren]

I have the same thing with my Jaguar XK.

Wish I could select it myself.

What I want is to be sporty in auto mode and if I want to keep the revs down for MPG I'll use the paddles.

Unfortunately it ends up looking at my hyper mile driving style and picks a very lethargic profile.

The difference after a battery disconnect is day and night. The car is much sharper and proper.

Now that I work from home and drive more for enjoyment than anything else, it isn't picking as bad of profile.

[pwd72s]

True...I give my'09 an "Italian tune up" from time to time to adjust things. All part of the computer age.

[petrolhead611]

My Hyundai did the same learning process over the first 1000 miles.

[porsche tech]

I think you'll find that VW, Porsche and pretty much every manufacturer has "adaptive" everything now that learns the drivers habits.

[Crowbob]

I follow exactly the same routes at almost exactly the same times of day 3X per week. Most likely the next new car I buy will not need me to drive it.

Problem is the same vehicle is also my pick-up, tow vehicle, off-roader, minibus, RV and grocery getter.

A few months back I replaced the battery and ever since then I’ve been asking the truck what’s wrong it.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

Been a thing for a while.

google Ford Adaptive Transmission Control

I did.
Fascinating


https://www.yourmechanic.com/question/how-does-an-adaptive-transmission-work-by-joshua-f

[asphaltgambler]

All of them did it crudely since OBD II, but the firmware / technology has evolved immensely. If you have 2 or three drivers, each with their own key to the same vehicle, their driving style will be adapted by the programing to that key.

[porsche tech]

Note last sentence:


From 1989, Porsche offered an innovative gearbox in the 964 series 911 – the Tiptronic, the perfect synthesis of comfort and sportiness. The driving data was only marginally lower than that of the same vehicles with manual 5 or 6-speed gearboxes. The Tiptronic was an automatic gearbox with intelligent shift programmes and the option for individual manual intervention. In addition to the conventional selector lever positions, it also featured a second parallel gate in which simply tapping on the selector lever changed the gear immediately. “Tapping” the lever forwards shifted up a gear and “tapping” it backwards shifted down, as long as the engine speed limits were not exceeded. If you forgot to shift up, the gearbox automatically shifted to the next gear up when the permitted maximum engine speed was reached. The electronics system had five shift programmes. The programme with the most favourable shifting points was activated, depending on the temperament of the driver and the traffic situation. The engine speed was reduced temporarily by retarding the ignition point to facilitate smoother gear changes.

[Dantilla]

Quite a few PCA Autocrossers will disconnect the battery and reconnect after arriving at the venue to wipe out the gentle driving mode used while driving on public roads to the event.
First run will reprogram to aggressive acceleration.

[berettafan]

it is a big reason why I went Toyota for my truck. the dumber my vehicle the better!

had a '13 suburban that was always trying to outsmart me with the transmission and motor. friggin hated when I felt it.

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by Dantilla

Quite a few PCA Autocrossers will disconnect the battery and reconnect after arriving at the venue to wipe out the gentle driving mode used while driving on public roads to the event.
First run will reprogram to aggressive acceleration.

I have never needed to do that with my 1985 Carrera.

It really messes up the traction control, power steering, tire pressure monitoring system, backup cameras, and ABS computers when I do.

A buddy has an older Miata. If he is working on it and has to disconnect the battery he says that it drives like crap for a day or two before the computer relearns his driving habits.