[moretvicar]

As the header says the old girl ( '99 ) is hesitant on kickdown, approx 2 to 3 seconds before she starts to move and then its like sitting in an aircraft on take off - everything pressed into the seat.
She has always been like that and because I had never driven an automatic before thought this to be quite normal, although to anticipate other drivers moves 2 to 3 seconds in advance takes quite a bit of doing and has on more than one occasion become a little hairy - especially the vehicles that appear to have malfunctioning indicators, that suddenly appear in front of you from the left !.
Speaking to my local garage, it was suggested that I took the car to an automatic gearbox specialist to have a change of oil in the box. Given the cars age and 75K on the clock, I think it is advice well taking.

My main concern is , if it aint the oil that needs changing - what else could the problem be ?.

Anyone else had this problem ?. All suggestions gratefully received.

I've had all the usual problems and sorted them - front and rear window motor devices, expansion bottle, wheel bearings, ball joints plus numerous other items that I forget - is this one more of the '99 legacy ?.

regards
John

 

[Mark Kelly]

Sounds about the same as mine. Put foot down hard, wait for a second then fight effects of whiplash when car drops a couple of gears. Ive found that if you are smoother with the pedal and apply it quickly but smoothly rather than stamping on it then the car response better. I understand that sometimes you just want to jump on the throttle and go but waiting for the gearbox to select the correct gear does seem to take an age. The joys of autos. :wink:

 

[leaping cat]

Maybe it is not two seconds only you feel as if it were that long. There is definitely some hesitation. Oil change is a good idea anyway. You could also try the re-learning process (can find among the stickies).

 

[Marmion]

I highly recommend pressing the S button. Kickdown occurs MUCH quicker! In my experience with our X Type is that without the S button, the gearbox basically asks you 'Do you really want to boot it?' whereas in Silly mode it goes 'YEAH!!!! Lets gooooooo!!!!'

 

[Hanny]

2/3 seconds seems a very long time, but there is a definite "do you really want to do this" moment when I floor it with my XJ. I've come round to thinking it's an inherrent delay caused by fly by wire accelerator and the gearbox and engine ECUs talking to each other.

As other posts have suggested, I leave it S all the time (mainly because the higer revs make it easier to control the car should the need arise) and a smoother application of the accelerator produces better acceration (especially from a standing start). I also use the J gate quite alot and with a bit of practise find it works well if I need to floor it.

 

[moretvicar]

My main concern is , if it aint the oil that needs changing - what else could the problem be ?.

Many thanks for your really quick and reassuring replies. I will have the oil changed and drive in ' S-mode '.
The 2/3 second delay in acceleration was timed by my son - I shouted 'now' when kicking down and he stopped timing when he felt the acceleration lurch - a little heath robinson but functional.

I will post a reply/update when completed - just in case it may be anything else other than the ecu's talking to each other.

Typical feline - 'I'll do it, but in my time '

regards

John

 

[djdex]

The fluid change is definately recommended, but unless there's a problem you won't notice any difference afterwards.
All auto's take a second or two to wind up when you nail the gas, as some have previously said - hit the S button first or be slightly more gentle on the throttle, when you're slightly more gentle it seems to change down more quickly then you can press harder, when you floor it, the revs go really high before it changes down and then you're off like a rocket, have to say tho' - from the lights, hit the gas and keep it floored, you'll not find much keeping up with you, I'm continously astonished at how far behind the guy who was right on my bumper a few moments ago is now.

 

[moretvicar]

hit the S button first or be slightly more gentle on the throttle, when you're slightly more gentle it seems to change down more quickly then you can press harder.

Just had to try the Sports button/kickdown and the 'more gentle approach', well I've just scorched the local motorway - up to ninety before I realised it ( momentarily ). I soon slowed down, as I don't want to upset the local constabulary - the road, I hasten to add was absolutely clear of cars. Well it was when I accelerated, within seconds I was approaching a whole stream of them.
Nice to know there's power when you need it.

 

[Hanny]

I had a test drive in the XF SV8. There was no perceptible delay in throttle response at all. Floor it and the car growls at you as it takes off. The sound of the engine/exhaust was fantastic. It brought a huge grin to my face.

 

[dr bob]

i think it's just the settings of the autobox that causes the delay. there was always a delay in kickdown on my old '99 V6, and tbh i never really felt that the sport button made any difference .

with my current car, there's still a delay, but it's definitely less than the old one . i think that as they've developed the ZF box kickdown time has got less and less, to the point where in the XF and the newer models it feels so much more immediate.

the other thing i find with the V8 is a slightly weird throttle - you think you've floored but there's still another half-inch or so of throttle travel to go before it really kicks down. it almost feels like the mat is impeding the throttle slightly but it's definitely not :? . most of the time when i'm overtaking now i'll slot the J-gate over into the gear i want.

 

[moretvicar]

i think it's just the settings of the autobox that causes the delay. there was always a delay in kickdown on my old '99 V6, and tbh i never really felt that the sport button made any difference . /quote]

I agree with the above that the sports mode makes no difference to the delay in kickdown and achieving mach 1.
Equally, I am lead to believe that the act of kicking down negates the sports mode temporarily until the manoevre has been completed.
A gentle pressure achieves the most responsive kickdown rather than a 'stab' at the throttle IMO.