[Jeremy Tate]

Just bought a 2015 trailhawk and only have 350 miles. Noticed when I start and drive for the first few miles the transmission shifting from 4th to 5th on the 9 speed clunks pretty hard. I let the jeep warm up and low Rpm but still a clunk and small surge. I know this thing is really new but any other owners having the same issue? Read a few of the same problems with this transmission in the newer jeeps.

 

[bwbike]

It might be normal. 5th gear is a 1:1 ratio and I've read that the shift from 4th to 5th takes the longest. There are four planetary gear sets in the transmission so there is a lot going on for some shifts.

The transmission also attempts to rev match on downshifts, but it isn't always spot on. It tends to very slightly over rev which almost feels like an acceleration. I notice this more when downshifting using auto-stick in some gears.

I generally don't like automatic transmissions (would rather have a manual) but this one seems to work well.

 

[Jeremy Tate]

Called a tech and he said to let it break in a little but get back to them if it seems to get worse. Only time will tell.

 

[bunburry]

supposedly the 9 speed learns you...

 

[Beep_Beep_Jeep]

Just bought a 2015 trailhawk and only have 350 miles. Noticed when I start and drive for the first few miles the transmission shifting from 4th to 5th on the 9 speed clunks pretty hard. I let the jeep warm up and low Rpm but still a clunk and small surge. I know this thing is really new but any other owners having the same issue? Read a few of the same problems with this transmission in the newer jeeps.

So, I don't really get a "clunk" per say, but I do notice the shifting is a little different going from 4th to 5th.

I did encounter a weird downshift problem where the transmission actually clunked a few times and didn't seem like it would downshift. I was in cruise at about 50mph when it happened and it scared the crap out of me because, new Jeep and 2 hours from home.

However, I put it in Neutral, pulled over and put it in Park before putting it back in drive, and I haven't experienced it since. I thought it was around 4th or 5th gear so I played around with Auto-Stick for a while and haven't encountered it since (knocking on wood now).

 

[Woofdawgs02]

No problems with my TH and I have over 650 miles. I love it

 

[Indiana Jones]

supposedly the 9 speed learns you...

This. It is a learning transmission and the ECU is the same way.

 

[bunburry]

Just to confirm 8 and 9 are OD gears no?

 

[PutnamJeep]

The way this transmission is designed is to use the best shifting pattern out of 40+ shift patterns. The idea is for the vehicle to use less of each gear, which will extend the life of the transmission and also provide an easier time for the engine.

The vehicle will not always go through all 9 gears in succession, rather it'll pick the right pattern for how YOU drive.

It will take time to learn your particular driving style.

 

[NBCGLX]

Just to confirm 8 and 9 are OD gears no?

6-9 are OD gears.

 

[bwbike]

Yes, 6, 7, 8, & 9 are overdrive. 5th gear is 1:1.

 

[Jeremy Tate]

Seems something is going on. Not all the time but another start from cold let warm a minute or two and a real hard slam when I put it in reverse. Thought maybe just a fluke so I put it back to park and 4 more times the same thing. After driving for about 10 miles from work tried again and baby smooth. Are the clutches not wet enough from sitting for a few hrs and hitting to hard????

 

[Incognito]

Just to confirm 8 and 9 are OD gears no?

6-9 are OD gears.

To further clarify, the non-TH 9-speeds use all 1-9 gears.
The TH only uses 2-9 in D street driving with 1st only locked in while in rock mode off road.
1-9 is only available in the TH if you manually shift it in any terrain.

 

[raypla]

I frequently flog the throttle, on our 2.4 in a 15' Patriot , and find the engine really pulls from 3200 rpm's. The Auto shift in its 6 speed shifts automatically as the needle n the tack hits the red zone and grabs the next gear up in that 3000+ rpm's. Can't wait to test drive a Renegade, kinda resistant caus I'll wanna get one.

 

[bwbike]

To further clarify, the non-TH 9-speeds use all 1-9 gears.
The TH only uses 2-9 in D street driving with 1st only locked in while in rock mode off road.
1-9 is only available in the TH if you manually shift it in any terrain.

So it's only the Trailhawk that always starts in second gear while in drive (mine does).

So the other models start in first gear? If so, it is probably the lower differential gearing in the TH that allows the second gear start programming.

By the way, I found that 1st gear isn't "locked" if first gear. It will shift to second and even third if you go fast enough. Once you hit around 25, it will disengage rock mode.

 

[NBCGLX]

So it's only the Trailhawk that always starts in second gear while in drive (mine does).

So the other models start in first gear? If so, it is probably the lower differential gearing in the TH that allows the second gear start programming.

By the way, I found that 1st gear isn't "locked" if first gear. It will shift to second and even third if you go fast enough. Once you hit around 25, it will disengage rock mode.

TH will always start in 2nd gear unless you manually select 1st gear. The non-TH models always start in 1st gear unless the terrain select knob is on snow (maybe one or two of the other modes, too, not sure) or you manually select 2nd gear. The TH has a shorter (numerically larger) final drive than the non-TH models, which allows it to have the 20:1 crawl ratio in 1st gear.

 

[bwbike]

Yeah I already figured out what the Trailhawk does and know about the final drive ratio, but didn't know what the transmission in the other models did. Thanks for the info.

 

[Renegade_Grenade]

So brand new to this form, and decided to post because of the issue that I am having. I too am a brand new Renegade owner and have just recently noticed issues with the 4th to 5th shift. It's very intermittent and I really hope that there is nothing wrong! What does everyone mean about the transmission learning how I drive?

 

[Rammer]

Here's a good read on the ZF 9 speed transmission. It explains how this transmission shifts and why it seems "different".

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2014/02/zfs-9-speed-9hp-transmission-puts-dog-clutches-on-the-leash/

 

[tony]

Here's some good personal experience some Renegade owner shared, not sure if they're on this forum but there sure is a good chance of that.
Read on below:

I just finished an 800+ mile trip from near Chicago down to Columbia Missouri to the University in my KL. The conditions on the way down on I57 and I70 through St. Louis were rain and fierce headwinds and temps in the low 50s. The return trip was sunny, 70 and no winds at all with the air conditioning on. On the way down the V6 pulled strongly but I did notice the transmission did a lot of down shifting going through the rolling hills past St. Louis. Traffic was steady but moving at 80 mph other than in road construction sites (55mph). The return trip was a joy. With no headwinds to fight, the transmission stayed mostly in 8th gear. I still managed an average of 25.2 MPG for the whole trip. On the way down I filled up at home and just before hitting St. Louis. I filled up when I reached Columbia. The amazing thing was that on that tank of gas I drove back to Charleston IL (248.5 mi with 84 miles showing on range to empty) and needed only one fill up to reach home.

Impressions: Unless you’re used to driving with as many gears as this transmission has, and depending on conditions (headwinds), you will see more gear changes. It feels different than the 6 speeds I have always been used to. On the way back there was a minimum of shifting (even in the rolling hills) and was a pleasure to drive.

Take away: For a V 6 the fuel efficiency was amazing depending on conditions. The drive was very comfortable. Need to revise my thinking when driving the 9 speed