Driven 2500 miles now in same model MY13 TD4 2.2 Manual and no probs with gear change, always smooth. I'm no expert but maybe just try and relax a bit and not think about it too much.

Just say'n. Disco 4 HSE SDV6 Orkney Grey
Gone FL2 MY13 XS TD4 Manual Orkney Grey

Until this post, its only ever been something I noticed about the car and not really something I considered a fault per-say.

I was driving it today and trying not really to do the work of balancing the clutch bite myself, but rather just smooth consistent travel on each pedal stroke and letting the car sort it out ... there didn't seem to be any jarring.

I also think your right in saying that the engine ECU's do a lot more to balance throttle position during gear changes.

I remember realising when driving the brother in laws manual audi tt 3.2 , that under moderate acceleration through the gears, it changed better if I just only slightly backed off the throttle a hint rather than lifting right off when changing up. It was as if the ECU closed down the throttle itself to prevent engine revving even though I hadn't lifted off the pedal much at all.

I think it is the worst aspect of the FL2 in my view.
1st to 2nd is horrible. Worse when the car is fully warmed up.
2nd to 3rd and 3rd to 2nd not brilliant but ok most the time. 4th, 5th and 6th smooth as butter.

Two other people who have driven the car think the same.

I have driven mostly manual cars for over 25 years but in this case seriously wished I had bought an auto. That said I dont recall the demo vehicle I drove as being a major issue. (Coming) 2016 RR Evoque td4 180 HSE Dynamc
(Going) 2013 TD4 GS Auto - Santorini Black with black leather. Cold Climate, UK Lighting & Armrest Packs. Privacy Glass. LR Rubber Mats. Full size spare.
60 000 miles averaging 35mpg

(Gone) 2010 TD4 Manual GS - Stornoway Grey. Sold at 3yrs old & 64k miles. Final average consumption 39.2mpg.

Totally agree with the above, although I'm learning, very short shifts 1 to 2 have really helped, slightly longer into 3 with downshift throttle blips, doesn't make junction exits very rapid though!

Jimski

fisha - I agree with your first post. The gear change itself is great, but it is the clutch action can be variable. Leading to a less than smooth change. Sometimes it feels almost like the engagement is going over a "cam". No problem with the clutch itself - readily passes the high torque "slip test" & at over 91,000 miles too  10MY (Sept 09) TD4 HSE Auto in Stornoway Grey (Now Gone)

08 FL2 TD4 SE Manual in Rimini Red (Now Gone)

flylr wrote:

I think it is the worst aspect of the FL2 in my view.
1st to 2nd is horrible. Worse when the car is fully warmed up.
2nd to 3rd and 3rd to 2nd not brilliant but ok most the time. 4th, 5th and 6th smooth as butter

I have to say the same and its due to this thread I give 1st to 2nd a bit more Welly which seems to have made life better.

Having had autos for the last couple of cars I've been noticing of my changes..... that said I may end up going back.... for me it was a choice having got fed up of my last car not listening to the driver Terran



'The' Car For The Modern Day UK Roads ( ie all the pot holes )

'A Freelander that leaks oil is just marking its territory' - Wise words

Now a member of the FL2 'Silly Bill' Club

I thought it was just me getting old! I have not yet 'owned' an auto (until my next FL2!) but have never had this issue with other cars. You end up concentrating on achieving a smooth(ish) change from 1st to 2nd when you could be concentrating more on the road (and the wallies around you). I don't appear to have this issue with the caravan on the back and find the FL really quite good at towing. Perhaps I'm just euphoric at the thought that CG might be stuck behind me!!

I agree with pressureman regarding the comment about concentrating on the smooth gear change.
I too sometimes have a problem with the clutch control (1ST TO 2ND, 2ND to 3RD) but not with the caravan on. Maybe the ECU compensates with the van connected? Gearchange is fine.
I remember the Caravan Club noticed this a while ago when testing the 2WD Freelander.

Just gets odder doesn't it. I was driving with 5 folk in the car the other day so a lot more weight in the car, and that too seemed like it was smoother gear changes.

I wonder ... could it be the haldex shifting torque about? With more weight on the car ( loaded or towing ) , the moving/changing torque biasing doesn't have as much lee-way to influence the car's as it goes along?

Police advanced driving teach sustained rev gear changes, once mastered, very smoth, never feel the change.

I use the same technique as FlyCop for changing down gears, especially if planning an overtake. Going from 1st to 2nd I find it best not to hurry the change.

Drive smooth is my tip. Try taking advanced driving lessons (I did it years ago on the motorbike), it'll teach you more than just driving slowly, which is what most people think advanced driving is. Poke it, Poke it, make it do it again!!

Gone - 2008 Freel2 HSE Santorini Black
Hello - 2010 RRS TDV6 3.0 HSE Santorini Black

Agree with all the above, also got a very smooth gearchange

Anyone got the knack yet?!?! 2013 FL2 - Black Edition Auto
2013 FL2 - Black Edition Manual GONE!
Founder of the 'Microscopic LR Spoiler Badge Club'
Destroyer of chrome rears.....

I just push the gear stick to the left push it forward or back,changes gear smooth I dont use the clutch as I dont have one ( sorry but someone had to say it )

Fly cop has it, it needs sustained rev changes and not to hurry it. ( that being said ... Most of the polis traffic cars are auto now )