Posted on 09/09/2019 17:56
Having seriously started looking for a new car (probably a Mondeo diesel) I wonder how automatics fare in towing?
I have driven automatics but never towed with one. The Mondeo, in my experience tows well and is very comfortable etc. It also has a sound noseweight limit!
Posted on 12/09/2019 08:59 by cyberyachtHow much gear changing is actually required when touring? Autos come into their own trundling through towns in heavy traffic, not on the open road.
Posted on 12/09/2019 09:35
Since I had to give up useing the 3pedal type of drive i have found when towing a much more relaxed with our modern auto,I had autos in the past "Borg warner?"boxes ,but this athough just 6speed give a decent mpg return even when towing it is usualy about 29mpg average, and when slowing down I can feel the auto changing down without the need for braking as in the old type boxes, and when accelerating with the van on the hook it is more than capable of keeping up with most other traffic, if I use sport mode its like a rocket when over taking if needed
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Posted on 12/09/2019 09:35 by JVB66Since I had to give up useing the 3pedal type of drive i have found when towing a much more relaxed with our modern auto,I had autos in the past "Borg warner?"boxes ,but this athough just 6speed give a decent mpg return even when towing it is usualy about 29mpg average, and when slowing down I can feel the auto changing down without the need for braking as in the old type boxes, and when accelerating with the van on the hook it is more than capable of keeping up with most other traffic, if I use sport mode its like a rocket when over taking if needed
Posted on 12/09/2019 11:23
Perhaps once the technology can use forward facing camera to analyse road conditions, and perhaps GPS to identify the geography of the road ahead, will it be possible for an auto-gearbox to fullfill its destiny. I find I frequently have to use the override controls to shift to the gear that is required, or to stay in a selected gear.
Might as well be a manual under some conditions, and I could then also manoeuvre at "dead slow" speed, lower than auto on tickover.
Posted on 12/09/2019 11:23 by NavigateurPerhaps once the technology can use forward facing camera to analyse road conditions, and perhaps GPS to identify the geography of the road ahead, will it be possible for an auto-gearbox to fullfill its destiny. I find I frequently have to use the override controls to shift to the gear that is required, or to stay in a selected gear.
Might as well be a manual under some conditions, and I could then also manoeuvre at "dead slow" speed, lower than auto on tickover.
Posted on 12/09/2019 11:50
I believe that technology is already in use for HGVs
Sounds to me you've bought the wrong car as I never have those problems ..... occasionally I might knock it down a gear going down hill with a flappy paddle. If you want slower speed than tick over you're allowed to use the big pedal on the left (with which ever foot 😉)
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Posted on 12/09/2019 11:42 byWith my previous E Class I got nowhere near 30 towing but it was a 3l V6. The present E220cdi I have just gets better and better and on the recent 1000 mile towing here was consistently in the low to mid thirties. However apart from the bling in this one I prefered it's predecessor and had more confidence in it especially on hills.
Posted on 12/09/2019 12:08
slower speed than tick over you're allowed to use the big pedal on the left (with which ever foot
It is all to do with muscle memory and the heavy pressure needed to work a clutch. I do find I am sometimes using "heel-and-toe" as I learned that as well a long time ago.
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Posted on 12/09/2019 12:08 by Navigateurslower speed than tick over you're allowed to use the big pedal on the left (with which ever foot
It is all to do with muscle memory and the heavy pressure needed to work a clutch. I do find I am sometimes using "heel-and-toe" as I learned that as well a long time ago.
Posted on 12/09/2019 12:29
Not that I drive a manual very much these days, (the 4 cars at our house are all automatic of some flavour), I very occasionally drive my daughter's manual, though I do left foot brake in an auto, pressing the clutch in a manual doesn't present any problem. There was a time when I frequently swapped between the 2 and again, you very quickly adapt.
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