Slight Reduction In Acceleration. Has Anyone Else Experienced This Issue.

[ElectrifyingMe25]

Lately, I've noticed a small reduction in my ability to accelerate. I don't have any warnings or other issues.

I tried to demonstrate my Lightning's ability to accelerate to a friend today and it didn't have that impressive take off as it normally does.

Has anyone else experienced this. If I didn't know better, I would say the acceleration curve has been modified.
What all can effect the acceleration?

I know the A/C running and other things being powered could possibly cause this effect. Could the vehicle been running something in the background that zapped it's acceleration?

Looking for help.

Thanks

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[Timeless Epoch]

I don’t think a butt-o-meter is accurate enough to detect small fluctuations in power. But if your sphincty senses were on to something, anything that affects traction will affect acceleration. Cold tires, worn tires, dew, rain, oily road, etc…

 

[Firn]

Someone else made mention of this fairly recently too.

I feel the same way, that acceleration just isnt quite what it was before. But maybe I'm just more used to it.

 

[WXman]

Funny you say this, because I've been sort of feeling the same with my truck lately. When it was brand new it felt like a rocket ship. And I don't really drive mine hard like some guys. But lately it feels like it just takes more throttle pedal to produce the same acceleration, even if I'm not trying to flog the truck. Just in normal driving it feels like I have to press the pedal just a little more. Strange....

 

[Heliian]

This happens to everyone.

Drive a gas powered vehicle for a week then jump back in.

Switch to sport mode for more twitchiness.

Switch to 2 pedal for faster hops off the line.

I put offset rims on my truck and it feels more stable/sluggish.

Ford may have leaned out the normal curve but I couldn't tell you for certain. This truck hauls.

 

[ElectrifyingMe25]

Funny you say this, because I've been sort of feeling the same with my truck lately. When it was brand new it felt like a rocket ship. And I don't really drive mine hard like some guys. But lately it feels like it just takes more throttle pedal to produce the same acceleration, even if I'm not trying to flog the truck. Just in normal driving it feels like I have to press the pedal just a little more. Strange....

I bought mine used. However, everything was reset at the dealership for a new driver.

Does Ford give you that impressive acceleration in the beginning so you'll brag about your Ford Lightning, then slowly take it away through pre programmed software mods?

It's like the shiny soap the dealership sprays on the engine and bed to make your vehicle pop when it's setting on the dealer lot. It makes your vehicle look soooo good. It doesn't last long.

I noticed the change in acceleration and my son did too.

I'm glad others on this forum have noticed the change too.

I guess there is nothing we can do. Our co-pilot is forcing us to slow down.... normally, that's my wife's job.

 

[Adventureboy]

Does Ford give you that impressive acceleration in the beginning so you'll brag about your Ford Lightning, then slowly take it away through pre programmed software mods?

I highly doubt Ford is intentionally dropping the performance. I think it is the effect @Heliian described. You get used to the power, and it just doesn't feel as fast because you are used to it.

Charge to 100% and then take it around the block. That extra bit of voltage on the pack between 90% and 100% definitely makes a difference.

 

[Storm Breaker]

i too have noticed this. its not instant anymore in normal. Sport feels the same to me. Maybe they turned down the sensitivity on normal to get better efficiency. i have noticed that increased.

 

[ElectrifyingMe25]

I highly doubt Ford is intentionally dropping the performance. I think it is the effect @Heliian described. You get used to the power, and it just doesn't feel as fast because you are used to it.

Charge to 100% and then take it around the block. That extra bit of voltage on the pack between 90% and 100% definitely makes a difference.

It's not an imaginary issue. I could even bark the tires in the beginning. Not now. I know my vehicles. I've had Camaros and a Corvette. I grew up in my father's car dealership. I have a heavy foot and a need for speed. My Lightning is a great vehicle that fits my driving style. It still has pep, just not as much.

I hope the form can help me figure out how to restore my truck to its former greatness. It would be interesting to reset it to like when I took ownership to see if that makes a difference.

Maybe the Ford guy that monitors this forum can comment on this issue. I'm not the only one that noticed the de-tuning in acceleration.

Thanks.

 

[Firn]

I bought mine used. However, everything was reset at the dealership for a new driver.

Does Ford give you that impressive acceleration in the beginning so you'll brag about your Ford Lightning, then slowly take it away through pre programmed software mods?

It's like the shiny soap the dealership sprays on the engine and bed to make your vehicle pop when it's setting on the dealer lot. It makes your vehicle look soooo good. It doesn't last long.

I noticed the change in acceleration and my son did too.

I'm glad others on this forum have noticed the change too.

I guess there is nothing we can do. Our co-pilot is forcing us to slow down.... normally, that's my wife's job.

I would not imagine that Ford did a bait and switch.

However I can possibly see Ford sending out an update that limits current. This may be to protect the battery, or IMO more likely done in order to help protect the high voltage contactor. Its not a common issue here (although not unheard of), it was however an issue on the Mach-E. Since the contactors are mechanical and could potentially weld themselves together under high current, its entirely reasonable (not saying probable though) that lowering current would reduce warranty repairs.

Thats my conjecture and supported by nothing more than the fact I also feel like accelerstion has dropped, and I also had to have my contactors repaired.

Edit: For what its worth it can still get the tires to spin, easily. In my truck up till about 40mph the fronts will start to break lose. In fact i wish Ford had a little better balance under hard acceleration, if the fronts break lose (which they do easily) it cuts overall power fairly aggressively.

 

[Grumpy2]

It's not an imaginary issue.

Have you tested the acceleration using all of the driving modes? Same results?

 

[Adventureboy]

I could even bark the tires in the beginning.

Barking the tires doesn't mean it is faster. It just means the traction control wasn't working as well.
Try turning off the traction control and see if it comes back to where you want it. Press and hold the TCS until both levels of TCS turn off. Make sure you are hanging on to her when you punch it.

 

[ElectrifyingMe25]

Have you tested the acceleration using all of the driving modes? Same results?

Yes. I was using sport mode.

Needless to say, I didn't impress my friend with the Lightning’s acceleration. Another missed opportunity to make a future Lightning sell.

 

[Heliian]

Needless to say, I didn't impress my friend with the Lightning’s acceleration. Another missed opportunity to make a future Lightning sell.

Lololz. If that's what misses the opportunity then there was no opportunity.

 

[ElectrifyingMe25]

Lololz. If that's what misses the opportunity then there was no opportunity.

The best of the best is a combination of a hot sports car and nice truck...... that's Lightning's reputation they need to protect. That was true with the older ICE Lightning trucks. They were fast as heck.

This is why some people buy the electric Lightning, for its performance. It was a determining factor for me. I could have bought a Tesla model S, but I wanted a truck too. So I bought the Lightning.

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