The truck: 2010 F150 SCREW Lariat 4x4

The problem: Poor throttle response

This truck has the throttle response of a cruise ship...you roll on the gas and you get nothing. If I'm doing 30 and ease on the gas to pass someone it feels like a full two seconds before i get anything out of the truck. Its like a giant dead spot. Even if i mash the gas there is a significant delay before it does anything.

I could live with this for a while but now it's really beginning to bother me. In your opinion what is the best way to improve throttle response? I don't want to spend 2 grand on this but I'm willing to spend some money. If it takes too much id just as soon sell the truck and get a machine that acts right.

I realize that this might be a case of engineered inefficiency by the manufacturer to make parts last longer (ie fewer power train warranty claims)...thoughts on this are welcome as well.

 

Welcome to owning a new F-150. It seems they fixed this for 2011. It is the transmission. Some say a tune will work, but I still don't think it will be like some of the competitors.

 

My throttle delay fixed using SCT Tuner with VMP custom tunes. Approximate cost $400. Worth every penny!!

 

Mine isn't like that at all; it kicks down and takes off pretty good - surprised the hell out of me actually just how quick it is for what is and while no race car it'll pin you back into the the seat enough to notice it. Even with moderate acceleration the shifts are fairly quick and it's not like you're hanging there waiting for it to happen.

2010 4.6 SC built in September with about 2500 miles and no 1-2 clunk so far.

 

I've had my 2010 FX4 for 2 weeks and I had the same complaint with throttle responsiveness. I ordered a SCT with custom tunes from 5-Star Tuning. I received it today and I loaded the "87 octane performance" tune and it's a different truck. I went for a 50mi run playing with the throttle and I am very happy so far.

 

I've never owned an F-150 (my 2011 is in transit) but have seen this with GM trucks. A tune can theoretically cure it. I run EFILive on my current 04 Sierra and I believe the default setup was to wait 1-2 seconds before going from closed loop to open loop at WOT (depending on RPM). On the GM it was called "PE delay" (power enrichment). Mine is now 0 seconds, i.e., WOT = I want full power, go open loop and go rich NOW. I still have no clue why manufacturers do this, but I know GM made it even *worse* on the 07-current models. Not sure if Ford does this, but I can see some tuners not addressing it...on the GM side you needed a good non-handheld tuner like EFILive or HPTuners to kill it IIRC.

 

Ford (and the other OEM's) conduct a lot of focus group reviews on driving habits, etc... The last I read, the majority buyers of Ford F-150's are females in their 30's-40's. Rapid throttle response isn't a priority for the vast majority of truck owners.

If you are a business owner, you cater to your most profitable customers, and tailor your products to those people. Most everyone on here are already well outside the normal customer. We are much more heavily involved in the modification, use, and care of our vehicles. I'd also guarantee we have a higher warranty cost per vehicle, since we are more particular... Slightly off topic, but does explain a little of why throttle response is the way it is.

I've had 15-20 different people drive my truck, and didn't get a single comment on the throttle response. The most common response was the size of the mirrors or the heated seats. Goes to show what people like and don't care about...

 

I can agree with this 110%

 

Females in their 30's and 40's?

If I am driving and see an F150 -- about a 5% chance there's a woman driving it.

I'd be curious to see where that is documented. Regardless, I agree with you. The throttle response bugs me about 1% of the time .. although I would like it to be better, I'm not worried about it.

 

My SCT Xcal3 fixed the DBW lag. Not entirely, but a lot better!

 

x2!

 

I also have a September build 2010 SCREW with the 5.4 and my truck started out with a delay in acceleration at first, but has improved and is mostly non-existent now. Acceleration when passing is very good with no lag what so ever. The only time it lags some from a dead stop is when the traction control kicks in when the tires try to spin.

 

Yep my 2010 FX4 lags ***, going for service on Wensday. Is this something the dealer can adjust? I know its a long shot but ya never know.

 

I never had any acceleration problems, just shifting issues which were corrected with a second PCM reflash. Now it upshifts and downshifts smoothly and hasn't had the hunting problem between first and second that it used to have. Don't settle for them saying that "they all do that."

 

My '09 is my first ever auto so how can I tell whether lag is normal or abnormal auto lag ??