Automatic gearboxes
Posted by: hungryhalibut on 25 January 2016
Having only ever driven manual cars for thirty years, I decided to try an automatic for a change. As well as an automatic gearbox it has an automatic handbrake as well, and an auto hold thingy so that when you stop, even on a hill, it won't roll. You don't even need to remove the handbrake when you start - you just press the accelerator and off you go. All very clever. Reversing is a bit tricky, but I'm sure I'll get used it it - I've only had it for two days. Once I've mastered this I'll have to get used to driving the Up! again, which is a manual. That could be fun!
To be fair though, Tony, I can imagine any electromechanical device arguing with Mags. 
Tony Lockhart posted:To be fair though, Tony, I can imagine any electromechanical device arguing with Mags.
Well, she scares me sh*tless!
My E class has a 7 speed auto box. Feel most gear changes - not in the same league as my Lexus 250 which was so smooth. Thought this was something Mercedes would get right after all this time!
CariocaJeff posted:My E class has a 7 speed auto box. Feel most gear changes - not in the same league as my Lexus 250 which was so smooth. Thought this was something Mercedes would get right after all this time!
I like the Mercedes 7 speed auto but will be interested to try their new 9-speed auto when it comes to changing my car again.
Moving away from cars, the automatic gearbox on my Honda VFR 1200 DCT is stunning. Completely seamless changes in both fully automatic and manual override modes. I don't think I've driven an automatic car that comes close. Just twist the throttle and go. Luckily for me:
1. It has traction control, and
2. I am now old enough to admit and accept my limitations as a bike rider.
Tony Lockhart posted:I had the misfortune to drive a new Peugeot 3008 auto about 4 years ago. What a horrible experience that was. On a flat road, with a steady rate of acceleration needed, the bloody thing would give passengers the impression I was taking my right foot off the throttle pedal just before the gearbox changed up. I naturally assumed a fault, but no, "they all do that" was the reply. And they do. Citroens of that class too.
So, many decades of auto box development, and those two companies throw it all in the skip and produce horrendous, frustrating, embarrassing f-wit-boxes.
My C Class and 911 both have auto boxes out of necessity, the 911's PDK is a joy.
The Peugeot I think (as you say along with many Citroens) has a robotised manual, which is pants - utterly dreadful thing. I think the BMW 8-speed auto is acknowledged to be the best at the moment - I think it overtook Mercedes (who used to make the best auto boxes)
I am now on the next phase - an electric car (BMW i3) which doesn't have gears at all, as such. Great fun to slow down without using the brake pedal (I use it about once every ten miles or so, or less on a good run)
My wife insists on an auto, and I rather like them, though am currently missing manual (despite only having two manuals - ignoring the Caterhams - in the last 14 years or so). But there are good manual boxes and poor ones, as with autos
How do you find the i3 ?
Mostly the i3 is great - but the current cold temperatures mean I cannot get into the office in Manchester and home again (about 77 miles round trip) without either a charge (and the only chargers en route are out of service at the moment) or using the range extender. I should probably just accept that the range extender is there to be used!
So far have done about 2000 miles in total, of which around 120 have been petrol (around 10-11 litres of petrol) and the balance electric. Total electricity cost is roughly 3p per mile (though hard to calculate accurately as top ups on motorway ecotricity chargers are free and we have a wind turbine that provides an unmeasurable proportion of the electricity
It's good fun to drive (had the tail out a few times and it's pretty rapid) but the range is a bit frustrating - my regular (2-3 times a week) drive to Manchester is beyond the limit for temperatures of under 10 degrees and wind / rain. In the spring / summer it should be good for 90 odd miles on electric. Have only visited the petrol station twice in the last six weeks (once for the Land Rover which is staying as a long distance / holiday car
A bit of a latecomer to this thread. My last two cars were/ are bmw's with 8 speed auto gearboxes - mainly because manuals are rarer than hen's teeth in the model I have and nobody would want one when it comes to trading in. Whilst they are generally very effective, I still much prefer a manual gearbox. The bit I don't like with auto's is that I find they hang on to gears and rev unnecessarily, especially when cold and when starting off in low gears. I suspect the reason is they are programmed to ensure the engine is not overloaded with high gear/ torque/ throttle application which can damage the transmission - easily avoided with a bit of application. My massive mistake on the latest car was not to get flappy paddles - I am constantly overriding the auto gear selection until up to cruising speed. Hence for me, I'd be better served with a manual.
Peter
northpole posted:The bit I don't like with auto's is that I find they hang on to gears and rev unnecessarily, especially when cold and when starting off in low gears. I suspect the reason is they are programmed to ensure the engine is not overloaded with high gear/ torque/ throttle application which can damage the transmission - easily avoided with a bit of application.
Peter
I've noticed that in a number of my automatics. I think the reason is to get the engine up to operating temperature more quickly because they are more efficient and better on emissions at normal operating temperatures.
Both our cars are fitted with this programming for that very reason.