The Ford PowerShift is a six-speed dual clutch semi-automatic gearbox produced by the Ford Motor Company The Ford PowerShift gearboxes are built by Getrag Ford Transmissions, a joint-venture with Getrag PowerShift improves fuel efficiency by as much as 10 percent when compared to a conventional automatic transmission.

The operation of a dual clutch transmission is analogous to two traditional manual transmissions, each with its own clutch, operating in parallel and alternating shifts. The Ford unit is a six-speed with one clutch acting on first, third and fifth gear, and the other used for second, fourth and sixth gear. As first gear is engaged, the 2-4-6 clutch is disengaged and the second gear cogs are engaged. At the appropriate time, the 1-3-5 clutch is disengaged and the 2-4-6 clutch is engaged. While in second gear, the other side shifts from first to third. The process is repeated with quick smooth shifts and none of the efficiency loss normally associated with torque converters.

The PowerShift gearbox is a joint development between Ford, Getrag and Luk and was first introduced in Europe. Both Volvo and Ford use wet clutches and hydraulic actuation. However, the new PowerShift gearbox used in the Ford Fiesta and Ford Focus uses dry clutches and electric motor/solenoid actuation.

The Ford Powershift automatic transmission uses two 3-speed gearboxes connected via a pair of clutches. When drive is selected, transmission #1 engages 1st gear and transmission #2 selects 2nd. Clutch #1 engages and the car pulls away in first. When it’s time to change gear, it uses clutch #2 to swap transmission, with #1 immediately pre-selecting 3rd etc

The display observed by the customer is likely in line with the built-in strategy on the vehicle ECU and therefore should be normal based on the design of the transmission and the operating condition of the vehicle(heavy traffic situation) during the display.

For avoidance of doubt please see an excerpt of the transmission strategy below. We further need to educate our customers using vehicles with this transmission assembly(Focus). I believe this will improve their knowledge and understanding of the vehicle and reduce their fears.

Hot mode

The temperature of the clutch is calculated via a model in the TCM.

The following variables are incorporated in the calculation:

Engine torque
Rotational speed signals from the ISS A, ISS B, OSS and the engine speed
Calculated torque transfer of the clutch

The Hot Mode function is used to prevent the clutch from being damaged as a result of excessively high temperatures. When hot mode is active, the clutch is engaged more quickly and the engine torque is reduced.

At a calculated clutch temperature at which the clutch lining would suffer heat damage, the following message is displayed on the message center:

Transmission hot - stop the vehicle or accelerate
Transmission hot - wait
Transmission hot - wait 10 minutes.

Once the clutch has cooled down, the message "Transmission ready for operation" is displayed on the multi-function display of the instrument cluster.

At a calculated clutch temperature of more than 300 °C (572 °F) the clutches are disengaged.

To summarize all transmissions with torque convertors do get hot and can cause the fluid in them to blacken (burn) and it is only a few that will give you a protection warning usually switching off the drive. These Ford dry dual clutches are similar to the normal manual transmissions and it is a known fact that the clutch will be affected if any manual transmission is held in gear for too long. The Edge and the Explorer gearboxes have a normal fluid torque convertor.

Page 93 of the Ford Focus Owners Manual gives a clear indication of care to be taken. Picture attached.