do's and dont's when using an automatic

postbasher · 2nd July 2020, 15:45

hi all, I was wondering if someone could answer some questions about the use of an auto gearbox pls...
so for example, what would happen if the engine stalled at speed?
can i/should i go from D to 3 and 2 then 1 when descending a hill?...would it act like engine braking?...am thinking also when towing caravan...
would i do any harm to try these things?
Is it possible to go from D to neutral while moving?

please feel free to add any hints or tips or interesting stories re driving your automatic

BoroRover · 2nd July 2020, 16:05

You can certainly go from D to N at speed, I have done it accidentally hitting the gear lever with my hand, but I coast to a stop to re-engage D.

As for changing down, I really don't know, I dare'nt try it. But I would think you would need to engage the lever on the gear lever before selecting another gear.

Personally, I would use what brakes there are, and the handbrake to bring the car to rest.

Visions of a mashed up auto box gives me nightmares.

I'm sure the owners handbook will clarify your question, or the knowledgeable guys on here.

myfirstrover · 2nd July 2020, 16:11

Just don't try to go from D to P while moving

Robson Rover Repair · 2nd July 2020, 16:18

I know of a few owners locally who have destroyed auto boxes in our 75s but not heeding the advice of "coasting" knocking it out of D and into neutral at motorway speeds and constantly down mountain roads etc.

Between two of them they managed to mangle 5 gear boxes and refuse to learn!

macafee2 · 2nd July 2020, 16:44

Autos I've driven although not Rovers you can do from Auto to "manual" and down shift and back to Auto no problem.

macafee2

wraymond · 2nd July 2020, 18:34

Travelling at, say, 60, a slight tap on the brake will lose about 10mph. Depending on revs (and therefore what gear you are already in), this should be enough for the box to drop 1 gear. And so on down.

You can preselect any driven gear but, with a sharp eye and ear to engine performance, you can pull away in snow and ice in 2/3. Pulling away in 1 will enable you to beat snow etc until on firmer ground. Then shift to D.

You can hold a gear to take advantage of increased rev range over the set ratios by preselecting any of the forward gears and then move up a gear using the lever and letting the box change automatically.

You will probably only need Neutral at traffic lights.

Then of course you have the advantage of the 'S' button. A noticeable change of performance at your service.

It's probably best to slow the car by braking rather than the preselect feature. That is what they are for.

Do not, ever, select Reverse or Park whilst moving in a driven gear.

It's a wonderfully versatile box but expensive if you get it wrong. Find another member near you to show you, then buy him/her lunch.

bl52krz · 2nd July 2020, 18:54

You can use it almost like a manual, but why then have an automatic? If you engage ‘2’ the car will only go from ‘1’ into second gear ‘2’. If you engage ‘3’, you will only have 1-2 and third gear. If you engage ‘4’ you will only have 1-2-3 and fourth gear. Get yourself a manual then you can play with the gears until your heart is content. .

BoroRover · 2nd July 2020, 19:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by myfirstrover

Just don't try to go from D to P while moving

Downright dangerous, and guarantees total gearbox kill, even at low speeds, fortunately, the inhibitor switch is in place.

Many years ago I selected P from D on an auto Ford Transit, ( rare !! ), at crawling speed. Stopped the van dead, with an awful metallic noise. Taught me never to do it again !!

trikey · 2nd July 2020, 20:00

If the engine stalls at speed on the auto box, don't go through the gears, you will damage the gearbox, put it in neutral and brake to a halt.

You mustn't tow above 5mph with the auto without the engine running.

Jim Jamieson · 2nd July 2020, 21:39

If your car is an automatic why would you want to use it like a manual.

The 75 automatic box has its own “braking system” built in.

When approaching a junction or slowing down on a hill lightly press the brake pedal and the transmission will change down giving you better engine braking.

I ran both the diesel and petrol models and found this better with the petrol model.
As for moving the selector to neutral whilst in motion it’s simply not advisable.
There’s no reason why you should require to move to neutral.

2nd July 2020, 15:45	#1
postbasher Avid contributor Rover Connoisseur cdt se auto Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Plymouth Posts: 129 Thanks: 213 Thanked 21 Times in 18 Posts	do's and dont's when using an automatic hi all, I was wondering if someone could answer some questions about the use of an auto gearbox pls... so for example, what would happen if the engine stalled at speed? can i/should i go from D to 3 and 2 then 1 when descending a hill?...would it act like engine braking?...am thinking also when towing caravan... would i do any harm to try these things? Is it possible to go from D to neutral while moving? please feel free to add any hints or tips or interesting stories re driving your automatic

2nd July 2020, 16:18	#4
Robson Rover Repair NI/ROI RS ZT-T 190 / 75 Diesel x3 / 6 door limo / 216 Cabby / Rover 25 van Join Date: May 2009 Location: Antrim Posts: 8,103 Thanks: 299 Thanked 1,046 Times in 568 Posts	I know of a few owners locally who have destroyed auto boxes in our 75s but not heeding the advice of "coasting" knocking it out of D and into neutral at motorway speeds and constantly down mountain roads etc. Between two of them they managed to mangle 5 gear boxes and refuse to learn! __________________ Cheers, Colin Robson Rover Repair on Youtube DISCOUNTED MTEC BRAKES FOR ALL MG ROVER'S Braided hoses, more coating and pad options for 2024

2nd July 2020, 18:34	#6
wraymond This is my second home 75 Auto 2.5 SE Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Westcliff on Sea Posts: 5,195 Thanks: 423 Thanked 1,680 Times in 1,014 Posts	Travelling at, say, 60, a slight tap on the brake will lose about 10mph. Depending on revs (and therefore what gear you are already in), this should be enough for the box to drop 1 gear. And so on down. You can preselect any driven gear but, with a sharp eye and ear to engine performance, you can pull away in snow and ice in 2/3. Pulling away in 1 will enable you to beat snow etc until on firmer ground. Then shift to D. You can hold a gear to take advantage of increased rev range over the set ratios by preselecting any of the forward gears and then move up a gear using the lever and letting the box change automatically. You will probably only need Neutral at traffic lights. Then of course you have the advantage of the 'S' button. A noticeable change of performance at your service. It's probably best to slow the car by braking rather than the preselect feature. That is what they are for. Do not, ever, select Reverse or Park whilst moving in a driven gear. It's a wonderfully versatile box but expensive if you get it wrong. Find another member near you to show you, then buy him/her lunch. __________________ member no. 235 Last edited by wraymond; 2nd July 2020 at 18:40..

2nd July 2020, 18:54	#7
bl52krz This is my second home Rover 75 cdt club + Rover 2.5 KV6 Conni SE Join Date: May 2008 Location: Birmingham Posts: 11,394 Thanks: 6,587 Thanked 2,262 Times in 1,729 Posts	You can use it almost like a manual, but why then have an automatic? If you engage ‘2’ the car will only go from ‘1’ into second gear ‘2’. If you engage ‘3’, you will only have 1-2 and third gear. If you engage ‘4’ you will only have 1-2-3 and fourth gear. Get yourself a manual then you can play with the gears until your heart is content. . __________________ Great Barr, Birmingham. Last edited by bl52krz; 2nd July 2020 at 18:56..

2nd July 2020, 20:00	#9
trikey Premium Trader Rover 75 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Devon Posts: 33,772 Thanks: 8,837 Thanked 14,831 Times in 8,030 Posts	If the engine stalls at speed on the auto box, don't go through the gears, you will damage the gearbox, put it in neutral and brake to a halt. You mustn't tow above 5mph with the auto without the engine running. __________________ Lest we forget..

2nd July 2020, 16:05	#2
BoroRover Posted a thing or two Rover 75 Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Middlesbrough Posts: 1,518 Thanks: 1,861 Thanked 723 Times in 471 Posts	You can certainly go from D to N at speed, I have done it accidentally hitting the gear lever with my hand, but I coast to a stop to re-engage D. As for changing down, I really don't know, I dare'nt try it. But I would think you would need to engage the lever on the gear lever before selecting another gear. Personally, I would use what brakes there are, and the handbrake to bring the car to rest. Visions of a mashed up auto box gives me nightmares. I'm sure the owners handbook will clarify your question, or the knowledgeable guys on here.

2nd July 2020, 16:11	#3
myfirstrover Posted a thing or two Rover 75 2.0 cdi Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne Posts: 1,896 Thanks: 401 Thanked 448 Times in 303 Posts	Just don't try to go from D to P while moving

2nd July 2020, 16:44	#5
macafee2 This is my second home Rover 75 Saloon & Tourer Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Lincoln Posts: 14,928 Thanks: 1,630 Thanked 3,032 Times in 2,181 Posts	Autos I've driven although not Rovers you can do from Auto to "manual" and down shift and back to Auto no problem. macafee2

2nd July 2020, 21:39	#10
Jim Jamieson This is my second home Rover less ! Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Tarbolton Posts: 3,442 Thanks: 393 Thanked 888 Times in 542 Posts	If your car is an automatic why would you want to use it like a manual. The 75 automatic box has its own “braking system” built in. When approaching a junction or slowing down on a hill lightly press the brake pedal and the transmission will change down giving you better engine braking. I ran both the diesel and petrol models and found this better with the petrol model. As for moving the selector to neutral whilst in motion it’s simply not advisable. There’s no reason why you should require to move to neutral.