auto gearbox

[seth1]

Hello,im after peoples opinions and advice on auto come manual gearboxs.The time has come to move to a larger car as the family extends come december,fingers crossed.The vehicle in question fills the right boxs for us although it wont be everyones cup of tea,but in these hard times its more than good enough for us porpers.BUT its fitted with a selectable auto/manual box.Ive no experiance what so ever with these type.Do these still have clutches,and are they just basic manuals with electronic control.
thanks guys

 

[seth1]

Sorry ive printed this twice in error,forums a bit different now.

 

[RayS]

The auto / manual gerbox you describe is probably Tiptronic or something similar. If so I think you will find it idea for towing - i have over the last 10 years. The box functions as a normal auto but with the added facility that you can over-ride it manually. For the tiptronic box you tap the gear selector (which is in the D position as normal) away from you and it will change down 1 gear per tap. To return to the full auto drive position just hold it fully towards you for a couple of seconds.
This facility really comes into its own on long descents, when you can select - say 3rd - with a couple of taps and then go to either 4th as the slope lessens or 2nd if it increases without any pedal action or having to use your brakes at all. You can also to use it to hold a lower ratio going uphill if you wish although i have never had reason to do this.

Tiptronic is a trade name - boxes are fitted to mercedes, bmw, porsche etc. but other makers have very similar units under different names - for example I think the Kia Sorrento call it Sportsdrive.
After many years of being a dyed in the wool fanatic for manual boxes I would now be very reluctant indeed to go back to one.

 

[ChrisUK]

Personally I would avoid these new autos that use 2 clutches such as VW (and others) use. A big old fashed torque converter it what you need.

 

[KeithJ]

Seth

You don't say which car you have in mind. Some of the more modern Auto boxes are more efficient but cars fitted with them have lower towing limits. You must check the manufacturers' maximum towing limits. I downloaded the drivers' handbook for the Citroen C5 and was surprised to see that the max towing limit for a 2 litre HDI manual transmission car was 1800kg, but the auto version was 1300kg. I would very much like to have an automatic next time, but this appears to rule out the C5 for me.

 

[seth1]

Thanks for the replies,car in question is a fiat croma 2.4multijet 210.Towing wieght seems to be 1500kg.Spoke to my local dealer yesterday who were quite pally with and have dealt with for a long time.They checked and it appears it's fitted with a torque converter or in their words a fluid flywheel.Well no more DMF to worry about i suppose.