Had my 'new' 2007 Diesel Auto fopr a couple of weeks and it has tried to make me have an accident three times in that short period.

The problem I'm having is that when pulling out into, or across traffic and flooring the pedal, there is a very noticeable delay before anything seems to happen, then it takes off. Seems fine in normal driving, it's just when you need that extra oomph to avoid inconveniencing other drivers.

I'm used to Autos, having had them for 7 years (all Discoveries and a brief flirtation with an FL1) but have never experienced anything like this.

Has anyone else experienced this or is it back to the dealer?

Thanks

John

I noticed this as well after taking delivery of our auto FL2. Having come from an Alfa Romeo with a manual box I was quite confident when pulling out on say fast roundabouts and leaving a safe margin between myself and other cars, but the initial lag in the FL2 was a little disconcerting for the first while. I have got used to it and had to adjust my driving style accordingly so I think it is something we will have to live with unfortunately.

Yeh quite bag lag before any response, but having been married for 10 years plus, I am used to not getting an instant reaction.........from the wife Seriously, my solution in those desperate occasions, with the car that is, is when you need instant power is to do left foot brake to hold the car under strain with throttle down.....then at that moment of power requirement.release the brake....no lag at all. Just be careful!!! I hold no responsibilty for accidents as a result of this. Don't sit there for minutes doing it obviously, just ahead of the predicted moment.

The lag may be something to do with the fact you need subtle throttle control for offroading rather than an instant arse kick that the sportier cars require

We've got a Volvo XC90 Diesel auto in the family, and this suffers the same lag problem, if you have a delicate right foot.

Like the "footbrake priming" technique though, although obviously not to be recommended if you value your fuel economic driving.

Mark Freelander 2
TD4 GS
Shiney fantastic Baltic Blue
Detachable Witter Towbar

Hey good to see a post from carfraz, we were just talking about you - were your ears burning !!!

He took the words out of mouth regards 'pre loading' the engine if you know you're in need of an instant get away. However you don't need an auto to suffer this problem, I've nearly been caught out a couple of times in my 'manual' car. I have a tendency to drive in higher gears and use the low end torque, generally works fine and probably contributes to my OK fuel consumption. However there's been a couple of ocassions when I've booted it and the response has been less than I wanted. Yes the car responded and smoothly but without the intial 'ooomph' I would have liked (the old roundabout trick!!) Had I been in a gear where the revs didn't fall below 1600-1700+ rpm I know the response would have been better. I guess its a bit of turbo lag.

I would say response at home was much quicker some times, but thats probably to do with additives (that would be a bottle of Red (not Millers))  Stornoway Grey GS ... What a fine motor ... but not any more ... ... psst look at my gallery!
Company cars ... a thing of the past - May 2013.

Sometimes you also get this lag when overtaking cars starting with a low speed.That's why I always switch to sport when there are roads where there is lot of traffic and overtaking is necessary.

This a common thing with the FL2 and even I had a few near misses before I changed my driving habits and stopped pulling out on everyone.

One handy 'trick' for that burst of acceleration is to put the terrain response into 'Sand Mode' - hit the accelerator from a standing start and you will outsprint a porsche whilst leaving a rather unpleasant stain on the drivers seat!

Tip from local LRE franchise-holder when demonstrating the FL2 auto. was:
1. engage sport mode
2. load the engine and left foot brake as described
3. use TR "Sand" setting to hold lower gear and maximise traction

Good to have you input on the Forum, John

Cheers
Chris Gone... 2013 XS TD4 Manual Firenze Red
Gone... 2008 (09MY) XS Td4 Manual Stornaway Grey
Prior... 2003 G4 Discovery 2, 1998 Disco 1 and 1997 Disco 1 Company car before that
Also gone in Nov'13, after 7.5 yrs, to new owners with time for more TLC - 1980 Series III 88
Current 2015 Discovery Sport HSE 2.0

This seems to be a general issue in the auto FL2 - attributed to the the fly by wire nature of the controls these days I suppose. (You can tell from this comment that I still prefer the solid linkage of a series land rover to a carb!). Brake method is good, also when possible to "read" the junction or space to move into if the car is just rolling it will react better than when you move straight from the brake onto the throttle.

Thanks for the replies.

Better adapt my driving style to left foot brake control or not taking chances.

Guess it will be left foot on brake then

John

I found this to be a problem initially, but providing you progressively feed the power in, it picks up very fast in normal mode without any pre-loading. The issue is if you put your foot down hard straight away. You don't have to do that to get a fast take off. I also think it's linked to the traction control. Gone - TD4 XS Auto, Sumatra Black, Mud flaps and side strips, clear indicators, private plate, privacy glass

Hi Avtur and the other 'ear burners'. It wasn't my ears that were burning.... I must get more of that Dobie Itch cream....those tight pants of the wifes really bring it on I said I wouldn't abandon you guys and that I would stick my nose in every so often to keep an eye on you all....and to check on how npinks' tribute of copying my FL2 styling was going Trust you are well and the rest of the bunch. Mrs Avtur still good too?? Did I see a shocking thread that you were leaving the FL2 behind? Sorry I have lost the thread here......

The gearbox is produced by Aisin Warner.
I have a similar box on my girlfriend's VW Polo. The same box even on Touareg (with minimal changes).
It combines a simple planetary gear set with a subsequent Ravigneaux arrangement. This makes six speeds possible with only five shifting elements.
Anyway, the electronics are the same and I can say that on both VWs the behaviour is the same as you mentioned. This is the way it launches.
But on the other hand, it's a very refined gearbox...

Just to add to the suggestion about "pre-loading" the engine for a faster getaway. When on the excellent LRE freebee course, the instructor showed me that little trick; it works really well. However, he also offered a cautionary note ... only pre-load it to 2000 revs max!  Life is not a dress rehearsal!