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Auto box - how to use for complete beginner

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paulhumphries:
I don't know about Land Rovers auto's (my SIII is manual - I'm fitting an auto clutch !)  but our familly Chrysler Neon is an auto and to get best performance  / economy it's suggested you change from 1-2-D manually.
For acceleration that certainly applies as it's a real slug if you let  the autobox change even with throttle floored.
Never bothered trying to change manually to increase economy (23 mpg  :? ) as it's used most of the time by my wife and due to her having only 20% use of right arm (I have duff left leg) as she now only now drives autos.

Paul Humphries

Range Rover Blues:
Unlike most auto boxes the ZF 4 speed fitted to Discos and RRC has an extra clutch in it.  So in 1st gear ONLY the overrun one-way clutch is locked up.  Normally in 1st if the road speed suddenly ecceeds the engine speed then to prevent an uncomrfortable ride the transmission free-wheels.

Engaging '1' will operate this extra clutch to lock the transmission, allowing a considerable amount of engine braking.  Unfortuantley 1st gear on an auto is like 2nd gear on a manual, so the engine braking effect will be less than a manual, but it's still quite a lot.

As said, the '2' position prevents the 'box selecting any higher gear than 2nd, as '3' does with 1,2 & 3. D allows all 4 gears plus the torque converter locks up at 53mph which feels like a 5th gear has been engaged.

On road, use D.  Occasionaly I use 2 or 3 to get the engine really reving if I want to make a quick getaway, say when towing, but mostly the double kickdown does the trick quite well.

Double kickdown, well as you depress the loud pedal the 'box can change down a gear, but if you bury it in the carpet it will change down another gear, 2nd at 70mph, it'll sit up and set off, trust me :wink:

Off-road, low box and 1st if you descent anything, climbing usually 2nd low, or 3rd if it's not too steep.  It will change down as your speed decreases so the chances of you stalling on a hill climb are very low.

Auto boxs are best suited to big, lazy engines, just like the V8 :D

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