2023 FORD Bronco Sport Transmission Guidelines

Introduction

With its cutting-edge transmission system, the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport redefines performance, control, and adventure. Experience a new era of driving perfection. The transmission in the 2023 Bronco Sport is a tribute to Ford’s dedication to engineering excellence and pushing boundaries. It is designed to traverse a variety of terrains while preserving a smooth connection between driver and vehicle. The 2023 Bronco Sport features a cutting-edge transmission system that blends the best elements of contemporary technology and engineering prowess. Experience seamless and quick gear changes whether you’re driving through city streets or going off-road.

The transmission of the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport is more than just a mechanical part; it’s a doorway to adventure and excitement. This transmission system demonstrates Ford’s commitment to innovation, performance, and providing an amazing driving experience on everything from paved city streets to rough trails. With the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport Transmission, travel in the future where power meets precision and every journey is an exciting adventure.

Transmission

WARNING:
Do not apply the brake pedal and accelerator pedal simultaneously. Applying both pedals simultaneously for more than a few seconds limits vehicle performance, which may result in difficulty maintaining speed in traffic and could lead to serious injury.

WARNING:
When your vehicle is stationary, keep the brake pedal fully pressed when shifting gears. Failure to follow this instruction could result in personal injury, death or property damage.

WARNING:
Apply the parking brake, shift into park (P), switch the ignition off and remove the key before you leave your vehicle. Failure to follow this instruction could result in personal injury or death.

Understanding the Shift Positions of Your Automatic Transmission

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• Putting your vehicle in or out of gear:
  Your vehicle has an electronic transmission shifter. The transmission selector is on the center console, below the climate control system.
  To place the vehicle in gear from park (P):

1. Press and hold the brake pedal when shifting out of park (P).
2. Rotate the outer ring of the transmission selector clockwise from park (P), until the desired gear illuminates on the transmission selector.
   To select a position, depress the button (1) then pull back on the selector lever (2) to engage reverse (R), neutral (N) or drive (D). To select sport mode, first engage drive (D), depress button (1) and then pull back on the selector lever (2). The current gear displays in the instrument panel.
   Note: Your vehicle cannot shift from drive (D) to park (P) with a clockwise rotation. Your vehicle cannot shift from park (P) to drive (D) with a counterclockwise rotation.
3. Release the brake pedal and the transmission remains in the selected gear. transmission remains in the selected gear.

The instrument cluster also displays the current gear.

Park (P)
WARNING: Shift into park (P) only when your vehicle is stationary.

In park (P) power is not transmitted to the driven wheels.
Note: A tone sounds if you attempt to exit your vehicle without the vehicle in park (P).
Note: Your vehicle may not shift out of park (P) if the 12 V battery has run out of charge.
Note: Your vehicle may not shift out of park (P) if a fuse is blown.
Note: Your vehicle may not shift out of park (P) unless the key or remote control is inside your vehicle.
Note: The electronic parking brake could apply when you power your vehicle on with the selector in park (P).
Note: The electronic parking brake could apply if you shift to park (P) without fully pressing the brake pedal.
Note: The electronic parking brake could apply if you shift to park (P) on a slope.
Note: Do not manually release the parking brake when the selector is in park (P).
Note: Your vehicle could shift into park (P) if you attempt to exit your vehicle without the vehicle in park (P). See How Does Automatic Return to Park (P) Work.
Note: A tone could sound when you select park (P).

How Does Automatic Return to Park (P) Work
Your vehicle shifts into park (P) when your vehicle is stationary and any of the following occur:

• You switch the vehicle off.
  You open the driver door with the driver seatbelt unfastened.
  You unfasten the driver seatbelt when the driver door is open.

Note: Do not use automatic return to park (P) when your vehicle is moving, except in an emergency. See Starting and Stopping the Engine .
Automatic Return to Park (P) Limitations
Automatic return to park (P) may not work if the door ajar sensor or seatbelt sensor are malfunctioning.
See an authorized dealer if any of the following occur:

• Seatbelt indicator illuminates or tone sounds with the seatbelt fastened.
  Door ajar indicator does not illuminate with the driver door open.
  Door ajar indicator illuminates with the driver door closed.
  Transmission not in park message appears, with the driver door closed, after you shift out of park (P).

Reverse (R)
WARNING: Shift into reverse (R) only when your vehicle is stationary.

In reverse (R) power is transmitted to the driven wheels.

Neutral (N)
WARNING: In neutral (N) your vehicle is free to roll.

In neutral (N) power is not transmitted to the driven wheels.

Temporary Neutral Mode
What is Temporary Neutral Mode
This mode keeps your vehicle in neutral (N), for a limited time, when you exit your vehicle or switch your vehicle off.
Note: Do not tow your vehicle in this mode.

How does Temporary Neutral Mode Work
Use this mode to keep your vehicle in neutral (N) when you exit your vehicle or switch your vehicle off. For example, if you exit your vehicle before an automatic car wash.
Note: You do not need to use this mode at an automatic car wash if you stay in your vehicle with power on.
Note: Do not tow your vehicle in this mode.
Note: Automatic return to park (P) is delayed when your vehicle is in this mode. See What Is Automatic Return to Park.

Temporary Neutral Mode Limitations
Your vehicle could shift to park (P) after 30 minutes, or when the vehicle battery charge level is low. Prolonged use of this mode can cause the vehicle battery to run out of charge.
Do not tow your vehicle in this mode. Failure to follow these instructions could result in vehicle damage not covered by the vehicle warranty.

Entering Temporary Neutral Mode

1. Bring your vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Press and hold the brake pedal.
3. Power your vehicle on.
4. Shift into neutral (N).
   Note: An instructional message appears.
5. Press the manual (M), or low (L) button.
   Note: A confirmation message appears when your vehicle enters the mode.
6. Release the brake pedal.
   Note: Your vehicle is free to roll.
7. Switch your vehicle off.
   Note: Do not tow your vehicle in this mode.
   Note: The neutral (N) indicator on the transmission selector may flash in this mode.

Exiting Temporary Neutral Mode

1. Press the brake pedal.
2. Shift into park (P), or power your vehicle on and shift into drive (D), or reverse (R).

Drive (D)
In drive (D) power is transmitted to the driven wheels.

Manual (M) 
In manual (M) you can select a specific gear. See Manually Shifting Gears.

Note: We recommend using this mode for driving on hilly or mountainous roads or when towing a trailer. See Towing a Trailer.
With your vehicle in drive (D), press the manual (M) button to activate manual mode.
In manual (M), you can upshift or downshift using the paddle shifters.

Manually Shifting Gears
Shifting Using Paddle Shifters
The instrument cluster displays the current gear. The current gear flashes when your vehicle cannot shift into the requested gear. Your vehicle does not shift if the requested gear raises or lowers the engine speed beyond the limit.
Your vehicle could shift when you fully press the accelerator or brake pedal.

Note: Prolonged driving with high engine speed could cause vehicle damage not covered by vehicle warranty.

Note: Drive modes could affect when the vehicle shifts into the requested gear.

Manually Shifting Gears in Manual (M)
Use this feature to select a specific gear.

Note: We recommend using this feature for engine braking, driving on hilly or mountainous roads, or when towing a trailer. See Towing a Trailer .

• Shift to manual (M) to switch the feature on.
  Pull the right (+) paddle to upshift.
• Pull the left (-) paddle to downshift.
  Shift to drive (D) to switch the feature off.

Low(L) 
In low (L) your vehicle holds low gears. Press the low (L) button when your vehicle is in drive (D) to enter or exit mode.

Note: We recommend using this mode for driving on hilly or mountainous roads or when towing a trailer. See Towing a Trailer .

Transmission Not in Park (P) Audible Warning
Sounds if you open the driver door before shifting into park (P).

Park Selection Audible Warning
Sounds when you shift into park (P).

Manual Park Release 

WARNING: When doing this procedure, you need to take the transmission out of park (P) which means your vehicle can roll freely. To avoid unwanted vehicle movement, apply the parking brake prior to doing this procedure. Use wheel chocks if appropriate.

• Moves upshifts to higher engine speeds to reduce the frequency of transmission shifting.
• Provides engine braking in all forward gears, which slows your vehicle and assists you in controlling your vehicle when descending a slope.
• Depending on driving conditions and load conditions, may downshift the transmission, slow your vehicle and control your vehicle speed when descending a hill, without pressing the accelerator pedal. The amount of downshift braking provided varies based upon the amount you press the brake pedal.

The tow mode feature improves transmission operation when towing a trailer or a heavy load. All transmission gear ranges are available when using tow mode.
To switch off the tow mode feature and return to normal driving mode, press the button on the center console twice. The indicator light turns off when the system turns off. Tow mode also turns off when you power down your vehicle.

SelectShift™ Automatic Transmission
This feature gives you the ability to change gears up or down as desired.
If the engine speed does not exceed the maximum allowable limit, the vehicle allows the downshifts. SelectShift automatically downshifts at low engine speeds to prevent engine stalls.

Note: Engine damage could occur if you maintain excessive engine revving without shifting.
Select Shift does not automatically upshift, even if the engine is approaching the RPM limit.
For 10 speed transmissions – with the transmission selector lever in sport (S) position:

• Press the (+) button on the transmission selector lever to upshift.
• Press the (-) button on the transmission selector lever to downshift.

WARNING: If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake warning lamp remains illuminated, the brakes may not be working properly. Have your vehicle checked as soon as possible.
WARNING: Do not drive your vehicle until you verify that the stop lamps are working.

Use the manual park release to move your transmission from the park (P) position in the event of an electrical malfunction or emergency.

Activating the Manual Park Release Cable

1. Apply the parking brake. See Electric Parking Brake .
   Note: If the vehicle battery has run out of charge, use an external power source to apply the parking brake.
   
2. Locate the manual park release cable access cover on the lower instrument panel dash to the bottom left-hand side of the steering column. Remove the access cover using a plastic wedge or pry tool.
   Note: Do not pull the tether until you are in the driver seat.
3. Power your vehicle on without your foot on the brake pedal.
   Note: Do not attempt this procedure when the engine is running. Failure to follow this instruction could result in vehicle damage not covered by the vehicle warranty.
4. Once in the driver seat, press and hold the brake pedal. Do not release. Pull the orange tether towards the driver seat until the tether locks in the override position. Leave the tether.
5. If done correctly, a Park Not Available, Transmission Not in Park, or Shift System Fault appears in the instrument cluster display.
   Note: Your vehicle is now out of the park (P) position and is free to roll.
6. With your foot still fully applied on the brake pedal, disengage the parking brake. See Electric Parking Brake
   Switch off the ignition.
   Disconnect the negative battery cable from the battery.
   Note: If your vehicle detects wheel movement before you disconnect the battery the electric parking brake could apply.

Returning Your Vehicle to Normal Mode

1. Once it is safe to do so, reconnect the negative (black) battery cable to the battery.
2. Apply the parking brake. See Electric Parking Brake.
   Note: If your vehicle detects wheel movement, the electric parking brake could apply.
   Note: If the vehicle battery has run out of charge, use an external power source to apply the parking brake.
3. Sit in the driver seat.
4. Press and hold the brake pedal. Do not start your vehicle.
5. Pull the orange tether towards you until you feel a hard stop. Release the tension and return the tether to the stowed position.
6. The cable releases and retracts back to its original rest position.
7. Stow the manual park release cable tether back inside the instrument panel dash hole and press the access cover back into position.
8. With your foot fully applied on the brake pedal, start your vehicle. Confirm that your vehicle is in the park (P) position and that the instrument cluster display indicates park (P).
9. If the instrument cluster is not displaying the park (P) position or a message displays on the instrument cluster display, make sure you apply the parking brake before exiting your vehicle. Have your vehicle checked as soon as possible.

Shifting Your Immobile Vehicle Out of Park (P)

WARNING: When doing this procedure, you need to take the transmission out of park (P) which means your vehicle can roll freely. To avoid unwanted vehicle movement, apply the parking brake prior to doing this procedure. Use wheel chocks if appropriate.

Use this procedure to shift your vehicle out of park (P) if you cannot start the engine.
Note: If the battery is out of charge, use an external power source.
Note: Do not tow your vehicle in this mode. See temporary neutral mode limitations within this chapter.

Shifting Your Vehicle Out of Park (P)

1. Apply the parking brake. See Electric Parking Brake
   Note: If the battery is out of charge, use an external power source to apply the parking brake.
2. Power your vehicle on without your foot on the brake pedal.
3. Press and hold the brake pedal.
4. Press and hold the accelerator pedal.
5. Shift into neutral (N).
6. Press the manual (M) or low (L) button.
7. Attempt to start your vehicle.
   Note: A confirmation message appears when your vehicle enters the mode.
   Note: Complete this procedure within 20 seconds. If your vehicle shifts into park (P) attempt the procedure again.
8. Release the accelerator and brake pedals.
9. Release the parking brake.
   Note: Your vehicle is free to roll.
10. Switch your vehicle off.
    Note: Do not tow your vehicle in this mode

Returning Your Vehicle to Normal Mode

1. Press the brake pedal.
2. Shift into park (P).

Message	Details
Transmission Malfunction Service Now	The system detects a fault that requires service. Have your vehicle checked as soon as possible.
Select M To Confirm Stay In Neutral Mode	Displays when you shift into neutral (N).
Select L to Confirm Stay in Neutral Mode	Displays when you shift into neutral (N).
Stay in Neutral Mode Engaged	Displays to confirm that your vehicle has entered Stay in Neutral mode.

If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck in Mud or Snow
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow, rock it out by shifting between forward and reverse gears, stopping between shifts in a steady pattern. Press lightly on the accelerator in each gear.
Note: Do not rock the vehicle if the engine is not at normal operating temperature or damage to the transmission could occur.
Note: Do not rock the vehicle for more than a minute or damage to the transmission and tires could occur, or the engine could overheat.

FAQs

Useful Links

View Full PDF: 2023 FORD Bronco Sport| Auto User Guide
Download Manual: Ford Vehicle Owner Manuals | Ford

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