Only had the SD4 for two weeks and I wonder if this could be part and parcel of the box learning my driving style.

Basically, when the box changes down from 4th to 3rd (happens in commandshift too) the change is more noticeable. I can liken it somewhat to when you change down in a manual a little bit too early and there is a sort of lurch which I think is due to the torque. It would be too harsh to describe it as a lurch so I am struggling to explain it

Only happens when going from 4th to 3rd and it doesn't matter if I ease off the throttle and let the car slow down through the gears or if I brake, it still happens. The only thing to add is that it doesn't do it every single time!

Annoying so I hope this is just part of the learning shenanigans. 60 plate SD4 XS, Stornoway Grey, Arm rest pack

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ly--gT1RJdk

I have had numerous SD4's on loan when my Auto has been in for attention and have always found a severe contrast between the TD4 auto and the SD4 auto. The gear change is quite harsh in the SD4.
I have to admit my TD4 is silky smooth and the changes are hard to detect.

Perhaps just the extra power then? I can't comment on the TD4 auto as this is my first ever auto and all is well generally but I just wondered about this 4th to 3rd business. 60 plate SD4 XS, Stornoway Grey, Arm rest pack

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ly--gT1RJdk

I have not had this experience with my MY12 SD4. It is very smooth and quite possibly the best drive I have experienced. However, I have only driven 900 miles so far and have not really started pushing the engine.

KE, are you using the full rev range? It sounds like you are maybe in Sport mode or coming down quickly from higher speed. 2012 DISCOVERY 4 GS AUTO ORKNEY GREY
2012 FREELANDER 2 SD4 GS AUTO BALTIC BLUE - GONE
2011 FREELANDER 2 TD4 GS MANUAL BALI BLUE - GONE

My SD4 is just as smooth - On deceleration I often find myself watching the rev counter to see when it changes .

Definitely not in sport mode. I think it is more noticeable when slowing down from a higher speed than when tootling around town but it just feels a little odd. Perhaps I am just being paranoid.

I am taking the car to the dealer on Wednesday to have the faulty rear view mirror replaced so I wonder if it is worth asking their technician to jump into the car and drive it to see if they can detect it and offer their opinion. 60 plate SD4 XS, Stornoway Grey, Arm rest pack

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ly--gT1RJdk

imo its normal. The great thing about modern autos is that you are able to take advantage of engine torque when reducing speed. It means that when you are going downhill and take your foot off the pedal the car will slow down instead of getting faster like early auto boxes did.

Would be worth asking the dealer and maybe even taking one of theirs out for a spin...  2012 DISCOVERY 4 GS AUTO ORKNEY GREY
2012 FREELANDER 2 SD4 GS AUTO BALTIC BLUE - GONE
2011 FREELANDER 2 TD4 GS MANUAL BALI BLUE - GONE

parallax33 wrote:

imo its normal. The great thing about modern autos is that you are able to take advantage of engine torque when reducing speed. It means that when you are going downhill and take your foot off the pedal the car will slow down instead of getting faster like early auto boxes did.

Would be worth asking the dealer and maybe even taking one of theirs out for a spin...

make sure you put it in writing to them , and keep a copy ,in case anything rears it,s head in the future ..!!  Wales
Were the mud is thicker, and the ruts are deeper.
(And we have the water to wash it off, and more on the way..! )
Sd4 and chrome Ar*e piece, Auto box for best fun
09 Xs Gone
12 xs Gone
HSE with Leather seats and 4 years warrenty.. staying for now !

mudslinger wrote:

parallax33 wrote:

imo its normal. The great thing about modern autos is that you are able to take advantage of engine torque when reducing speed. It means that when you are going downhill and take your foot off the pedal the car will slow down instead of getting faster like early auto boxes did.

Would be worth asking the dealer and maybe even taking one of theirs out for a spin...

make sure you put it in writing to them , and keep a copy ,in case anything rears it,s head in the future ..!!

I'll second that.

To some people putting issues in writing may seem a little unnecessary or harsh while favouring a softer approach. In my experience, addressing such issues immediately in writing, causes a case history which can later be relied on should there be any future issues which relate to this. This is the very reason for why we choose to pay a premium to buy from a dealership over a private seller.

The dealer didn't make the car and it's obviously not their fault but I believe they take responsibility for such issues when reselling cars. It's like your very own version of contractual 'fine print' and as you can see, it's not something which other SD4 owners who have commented here have experienced, so it's likely to be particular to your car and not to SD4s. Doesn't have to be a legal letter, just in your own words stating what has happened and what you expect to be done about it. Do it.  Whereabouts unknown stop going to follow stream until reach civilisation stop message ends

Moondog wrote:

I often find myself watching the rev counter to see when it changes .

That means youre not watching the road and the bloke thats just stopped dead right in front of you.

I'm not overly impressed with the auto gearbox in my SD4, compared to other much older autos I've driven (BMW E39 petrol and diesel). I too find deceleration can be jerky, and would almost classify it as a lurch, certainly for passengers who don't have the benefit of the steering wheel. I've read that it might be related to the 'KERS' type system, but not convinced, I think like others have reported that since, IMO, the SD4 is probably tuned to its maximum, as there is less power transfer in the TD4 it is a smoother change.

My driving style is becoming much more gentle with the FL2 so I'm certainly going to consider a TD4 if and when I decide to change.

SimonB  Whereabouts unknown stop going to follow stream until reach civilisation stop message ends

KERS?! I wasn't aware there was any recovery on the FL? and the only systems I know of work off the brakes, so changing down won't have any effect.

At risk of being jumped at...do you have a brisk-quick driving sttyle? If so, and this being your first auto, you may need to spend some time learning it. If you drive quickly, and regularly have the gearbox changing down when accelerating then it's possibly anticipating needing more power than for others, and therefore as it learns riving styles, changing down earlier which would result in a clumsier shift.

The auto's in LR's promote a very relaxed driving style, and that is the best way to drive them and get the most out of them on a daily basis. No foot down driving like manual diesels where you can get modest acceleration from the torque in the lower rev range. Mine: 2012 Golf GTI Edition 35
Family's: 2009 Freelander 2 HSE TD4 Auto, Stornoway

Yorkshire - God's County

I found the MY11 SD4 a bit uncomfortable when coming into roundabouts in the first few months of ownership. I was advised to flog it a bit and spent a bit of time in Sports mode. I don't have the problem any more, although I experience it for a few days after towing my caravan on long trips. I just "fang it" for a while and all reverts back to normal.

Big Dave wrote:

KERS?! I wasn't aware there was any recovery on the FL? and the only systems I know of work off the brakes, so changing down won't have any effect.

You're right, it's the brakes and only on the TD4_e, guess that's why I wasn't convinced