X250 auto: Love it or Hate it

[scotjimland]

coming down really steep asses where you want to make sure you've got the engine braking effect

 

[Hughman]

That'd be 'passes' of course, but I'm not clever enough to edit my post

By the way, I have the UP selector permanently engaged, as it makes the box hold first for a bit longer before changing up. It's better for getting away from junctions etc - I found the change to 2nd came too soon otherwise and it would bog down a bit, especially uphill.

 

[scotjimland]

That'd be 'passes' of course, but I'm not clever enough to edit my post

yes of course it is, it just made me smile when I read it.. I blame predictive text

to edit.. look at the bottom of your post and click on 'edit' .. you can change / correct posts up to an hour after posting ..

 

[grumps147]

That'd be 'passes' of course, but I'm not clever enough to edit my post

By the way, I have the UP selector permanently engaged, as it makes the box hold first for a bit longer before changing up. It's better for getting away from junctions etc - I found the change to 2nd came too soon otherwise and it would bog down a bit, especially uphill.

When I first saw this I thouught "wait for it, the wags on here will have a field day". It never happened, very dissapointed

 

[DBK]

When I first saw this I thouught "wait for it, the wags on here will have a field day". It never happened, very dissapointed

We are all* far too polite.

*Well, some of us anyway!

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[Judge Mental]

I've been up and down a few hairy passes in my time...let me tell you!

 

[JohnM]

The 3 litre has so much torque that it doesn't change much but not having to even think about it makes a more relaxing drive.

If you drive in France much on D roads you'll not often go more than a couple of miles without a roundabout again and again and again

Only wish my x250 was auto our merc & renault were both auto & loved them.

 

[RandallC]

The auto box is brilliant as posted previously (similar subject) on the first drive was amazed that it down shifted on hills to provide engine braking. After first trip to France covering a few miles came home and realised that manual boxes were a lot of effort. Change the car shortly after for a DSG box. No torque converters as they should too much like a slipping clutch.

Driving a 4.5 ton 9m lump sedately is quite pleasing it's not a sports car, got a Golf GT for going faster.

 

[joncris]

We have a semi-auto box (manufacturer not known) in our Rimor/Renault and its great makes driving effortless. Before engaging reverse you have to apply the footbrake as you have too selecting 1st

 

[joncris]

The auto box is brilliant as posted previously (similar subject) on the first drive was amazed that it down shifted on hills to provide engine braking. After first trip to France covering a few miles came home and realised that manual boxes were a lot of effort. Change the car shortly after for a DSG box. No torque converters as they should too much like a slipping clutch.

Driving a 4.5 ton 9m lump sedately is quite pleasing it's not a sports car, got a Golf GT for going faster.

Our semi auto changes down when in auto and traveling downhill giving a good measure of engine braking

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[Sheddy]

There is a button next to the gear selector labelled UP, which sets the box to make changes at higher revs in the lower gears to cope with steep hills, so as long as you know you are about to turn up a steep hill

Apparently the 'UP' button also helps when going downhill, using the engine to brake the wagon. Haven't tried it yet but will give it a go soon crossing into Spain via the Somport tunnel.

 

[TheCaller]

Apparently the 'UP' button also helps when going downhill, using the engine to brake the wagon.

I think that's correct. So far I've only had cause to switch it on when going uphill at slow speed (1st & 2nd gear) on some particularly nasty tight bits only 200yds from the house, because the engine braking in normal auto mode is pretty good anyway. The box changes down early for you if you brake while going downhill - much better than any other auto I have driven. Having said that, the last torque converter auto box I drove was probably at least a twenty year old design, so things may have moved on by now.