Caught out by the auto today.

[chn68b]

This is the first performance auto I've had and up until now its been an OK experience, but today it caught me out for the first time.

Pulled up behind an Astra at a set of lights, both in the right hand lane with a lorry in the left. The lights changed and we both set off, the Astra going for it, I was running at about a 3rd, when he got in front of the truck he pulled over and there's a nice stretch of road to carry along. The problem was that I felt the box move into 3rd or 4th when we were both going passed the truck, so when he moved over (probably doing 50ish) I put my foot down a little more but it didn't change down as I expected it too. I went passed fine, but it was a slow pass.

Not being too familiar with auto's, is it normal procedure to bang your foot right down very hard to down shift and accelerate? I'm always a little concerned about doing this too frequently for fear of damaging the transmission.

 

[st13phil]

You won't damage the transmission. With a little more familiarity you'll get a feel for how much throttle you need in different circumstances to get the box to downshift when you want. If you want to anticipate your use of acceleration, just use the paddles or tip lever to engage a lower gear in advance of the manoeuvre.

 

[chn68b]

OK cheers, I guess a need to practice a little more.

 

[zoros]

The main problem with autos (which is the main reason seasoned drivers don't like them) is because the box isn't exactly where you want it - when you want it....as you found out above. IF you have paddle shift then when the time arises where you need instantaneous response, you can manipulate the box thru these and not leave it to the auto to make a decision (banging foot down or not).
With a manual/paddles you can always "lurk" just below the max peak of the torque curve and when you then floor it - the flood gates open fully!

I would NEVER buy an auto that doesn't offer you the option of manual over-ride especially in a performance car....what a complete and utter waste of time and money!!

 

[renault12ts]

39 years driving and I love my auto...when will I be a "seasoned" driver?

 

[zoros]

Renault - yes but look at the cars you drive. None of them are performance cars, they are either sedans or cruisers. Autos were built for cars like that to sit sedately in the middle lane doing 70!
Oooops nearly forgot - and 0-60 in daylight !!

 

[daveenty]

39 years driving and I love my auto...when will I be a "seasoned" driver?

Be a while yet, took me over 40 years and I'm still "green"

 

[geraldrobins]

Isnt the issue the unfamiliarity of the OP with his gearbox, and not the amount of salt and pepper he has applied. The seasoning wont help when youre stuck in lane 3 behind a queue of traffic at 75-80 either, not even the baseball cap.

 

[chn68b]

Isnt the issue the unfamiliarity of the OP with his gearbox, and not the amount of salt and pepper he has applied. The seasoning wont help when youre stuck in lane 3 behind a queue of traffic at 75-80 either, not even the baseball cap.

???

 

[geraldrobins]

???

You did write that you needed a little more practice with your auto.

 

[DerekEddlestone]

Vauxhall drivers.

This is the first performance auto I've had and up until now its been an OK experience, but today it caught me out for the first time.

Pulled up behind an Astra at a set of lights, both in the right hand lane with a lorry in the left. The lights changed and we both set off, the Astra going for it, I was running at about a 3rd, when he got in front of the truck he pulled over and there's a nice stretch of road to carry along. The problem was that I felt the box move into 3rd or 4th when we were both going passed the truck, so when he moved over (probably doing 50ish) I put my foot down a little more but it didn't change down as I expected it too. I went passed fine, but it was a slow pass.

Not being too familiar with auto's, is it normal procedure to bang your foot right down very hard to down shift and accelerate? I'm always a little concerned about doing this too frequently for fear of damaging the transmission.

"the Astra going for it"................ the fastest car on the road is always the Vauxhall Astramax works van driven by the seventeen year old apprentice who passed his test the week before !

 

[chn68b]

You did write that you needed a little more practice with your auto.

It was all the talk of salt n pepper and baseball caps that confused me.

 

[chn68b]

"the Astra going for it"................ the fastest car on the road is always the Vauxhall Astramax works van driven by the seventeen year old apprentice who passed his test the week before !

Ha ha, when I said he went for it I just meant that he accelerated passed the lorry. We were only travelling at about 50, when I attempted to open it up to get passed before it merged into one. The box just didn't react the way I expected.

True though, there is no faster car on the road than a works van!

 

[geraldrobins]

It was all the talk of salt n pepper and baseball caps that confused me.

That was a reference to seasoning which someone else brought to the forum. Seasoned boy racers sometimes wear baseball caps.
No offence meant. Enjoy your car.

 

[chn68b]

That was a reference to seasoning which someone else brought to the forum. Seasoned boy racers sometimes wear baseball caps.
No offence meant. Enjoy your car.

No offence taken, I was genuinely confused

 

[poormansporsche]

True though, there is no faster car on the road than a works van!

I thought the same until a few weeks ago when I followed my Mrs in the people carrier when she was late on the School run ! Astravan man has nothing on her

 

[renault12ts]

Renault - yes but look at the cars you drive. None of them are performance cars, they are either sedans or cruisers. Autos were built for cars like that to sit sedately in the middle lane doing 70!
Oooops nearly forgot - and 0-60 in daylight !!

You're relatively new here so I'll forgive you for not knowing I also have a Carerra. Even if I didn't, your remarks are bordering on the offensive.

Enjoy your souped up hairdresser's special.

 

[Howard]

Lol

 

[chn68b]

You're relatively new here so I'll forgive you for not knowing I also have a Carerra. Even if I didn't, your remarks are bordering on the offensive.

Enjoy your souped up hairdresser's special.

two wrongs, do not make it right

 

[renault12ts]

two wrongs, do not make it right

Yes daddy.