Automatic only cars

[Surfer]

With the exception of some luxuary brands, are there any cars on the market that are a pure old fashion proper automatic with no option of being able to select a manual mode.
The only one that we have come across so far is the Cheverolet Orlando LT diesel auto. Does any else know of a straight automatic as I think automatics are the best for towing.

 

[Sedo]

Surfer
Our Sedona has the old type auto stick with the P, R,A,D. set up but you can push the stick sideways and select manual.
Even so, when you select manual the car will take over if it 'senses' you aren't changing properly.
The only other auto we've had was a Merc. circa 1997 which was the same.
Must admit for towing we love the auto.

 

[ChrisE]

I have been looking at this very problem & you don't have much choice. Of the models I looked at BMW, Mercedes, Hyundai Santa Fe/ Kia Sorento, Chrysler/ Jeep, Volvo, Jaguar, VW Touareg, still use proper autos but the list keeps going down.
I am not aware of ANY mainstream car that has a proper auto only those horrible dual clutch things (my opinion & not fact).

Chris

 

[Surfer]

Seems I am out of luck and stuck with the Mondeo! Beginning to consider a manual even though it may be a bit strenous for me to drive.

 

[NigelHutson]

You don't have to use the manual part of a modern auto 'box, so I'm sorry, I can't really see what your issue is? Even the "good old fashioned" 'boxes could be held in lower gears and used manually.

 

[johnboy1]

Fully agree with Nigel207, I drive a DSG Auto with tip, just leave it in full auto if you wish and let it get on with it. Cannot see any difference with that and the "old" style auto. You do not have to use the tiptronic.

 

[Surfer]

The DSG box on the car is problematic due to it being a manual box controlled by an ECU instead of being a torque convertor box. There is a know problem with the gearbox that Ford refsue to acknowledge. There is no issue if selecting the Sport auto mode. The plain auto side fo the box is dangerous because if you slwo down to almost a stop and then accelerate, nothing happens however if you depress the pedal further the revs wil shoot up and the box will then engage with a clunk. Unfortunately if this happens while in an intersection you could be history!

 

[Lutz]

But even on torque converter automatics the shift points are controlled by an ECU so if there is hiccup in the electronics you could be just as unstuck.
What you are referring to is obviously a Ford problem (if it is one) and not a generic problem of all DSG gearboxes.

 

[ChrisE]

Am I not right in thinking that these twin gearbox autos still have the dreaded dual mass flywheels?

 

[bopeep]

I have just bought a chevrolet orlando with auto box and two days after delivery drove it to Spain with a bailey pageant caravan on the back. problem is the swan neck towbar fitted at chevy is a bit high but it towed high at the front which I believe is not a good thing.
I got 25 to the gallon and stayed in fifth because it would not quite take 6 at 55 to 60 most of the way.

Any advice on the high front on the caravan.

 

[Sedo]

On both auto's we've owned you always have the problem that you slow down to almost stop and then want to accelerate but there's seemingly nothing there, if you call for revs you can end up taking off like a scalded cat.
I find the best way to drive the Sedona auto we have is to be extra observant when coming to roundabouts etc. and altering ones pace to enable a smooth blend in without actually losing all impetus.
I think I'm right in saying the Sedonas (pre 2010 2.2 D.S.G.) have E.C.U controlled torque converter autos.
As Lutz has stated the electronics can cause problems.
The Sedonas had a software problem to the gearbox E.C.U. which all credit to Kia they have now corrected.

 

[Surfer]

I have just bought a chevrolet orlando with auto box and two days after delivery drove it to Spain with a bailey pageant caravan on the back. problem is the swan neck towbar fitted at chevy is a bit high but it towed high at the front which I believe is not a good thing.
I got 25 to the gallon and stayed in fifth because it would not quite take 6 at 55 to 60 most of the way.

Any advice on the high front on the caravan.

Important question to me as we are looking at one of these at the moment and considering it. We are considering the 2.0L auto diesel. What is the auto box like on it? Is it a twin gearbox or just a straight auto. The salesman told us it was a straight auto with torque convertor.
As for the tow bar sitting a bit high, is it not possible to take off the tow ball part and move it down one notch. Normally there are two lots of holes on the tow bar to allow you to do this.

 

[bopeep]

I was a bit worried about the auto box never having driven this model but it is a dream and you cannot feel it change, do not have any info as to how the gearbox is made, it also has a manual as well but I do not use it as it will not override the auto. Lovely car but not sure that the body is very thick but I have not had a modern car for years they might all have thin bodywork now. I have the Orlando LTZ auto which is the 163 hp Because they had a deal on with £3 500 off ordered it from Spain where I live as they had them here ages before the UK
The tow ball is a removable and just clicks in I had a look and there does not appear to be any adjustment in the bar underneath being a swan neck it also is not adjustable The caravan does ride quite high at the front.

 

[Surfer]

Thanks for the update. Quite informative. Our caravan has an MTPLM of 1300kg so well within the capacity of the Orlando. We first considered the LT but the LTZ offers a few more toys. The bonus for us is that is that it is easier for me and the OH to get in and out and has loads of storage space. We live ina rural area so being highwer up allows us to have bette vision whentravelling down rural roads. The only issue at the moment is that the dealer cannot get hold of an auto for us to test drive!

 

[hgv dave]

hi all
i have had autos in the past and can highly recommend having an auto for touring
now an auto is an auto as long as the car has 2 pedals,that is why there is 2 types of driving licence and the only difference that i can think of is the way the gears are selected

hgv dave

 

[HenryB1]

My first auto was an Austin Cambridge estate 1965. The only estate I could aford 2nd hand. I did not want an auto but since then I have been hooked on them. My Austin (3 speed no cooler towed a 10 foot Robin). Since then I have towed with most makes Renault, Rover, BMW, Volvo, Land Rover, Nissan and Kia both manual and automatic. My vote comes down firmly on the automatic side. Always in the right gear at roundabouts, traffic lights and road junctions. I do not understand the latest twin clutch models but all of my straight autos have been great. My current vehichle is a Kia Sorento 58 plate auto that has the option to select manual. I have only used manual during December snow when it was useful to have total control over gearing and speed when travelling on totally ice cover local country roads. Apart from that I have only ever used full automatic on the very many tow cars that I have used.

 

[Surfer]

hi all
i have had autos in the past and can highly recommend having an auto for touring
now an auto is an auto as long as the car has 2 pedals,that is why there is 2 types of driving licence and the only difference that i can think of is the way the gears are selected
hgv dave

There are at least three different types of autos on the market at present, the DSG, the CVT and torque convertor. With some DSG autos you have to use the manual side of the gearbox for towing. I am not sure about the CVT gearbox as I have never towed with one. The best towing box is the torque convertor box although there are some good DSG boxes but the software controlling them is below par.

 

[hgv dave]

surfer
if it has 2 pedals it is an auto,if it has 3 it is a manual
it dont matter how it is driven,manuals have a clutch pedal autos dont

hgv dave

 

[seth1]

It is still possible to get an auto that is equipped with a torque converter but still have the manual function on the gearbox.Personally the way things are going i think people will be better of with the troubles of DMF than the complications of these new auto boxs.For one the fuel consumption is herendous compared to "proper"manual gearboxs.

 

[SteveW77]

It is still possible to get an auto that is equipped with a torque converter but still have the manual function on the gearbox.Personally the way things are going i think people will be better of with the troubles of DMF than the complications of these new auto boxs.For one the fuel consumption is herendous compared to "proper"manual gearboxs.

I would hardly call 48 mpg from a 2 ton 4x4 6 speed automatic horrendous.

Steve W

 

[seth1]

Relative speaking,compared to a manual i made my comparison,48mpg is exception and i would only believe it if i saw it with my own eyes,take it thats on a motorway run?Brimed tank to tank,or of the trip.I get nowhere near that with 1.5ton,2wd,2.4 litre diesel.Hmm.

 

[SteveW77]

Yes it is filled brim to brim and the 48mpg was on a run last Sunday from Luton to Bognor regis, so mostly motorway. My average day to day return is 38mpg. These figures are not exceptional for the New Kia Sorento 6 speed Auto. The last Sorento I owned never got above 32mpg on motorway trips no matter how it was driven.
I have been in the motor trade to long to rely on electronically recorded data for anything.

Steve W

 

[seth1]

Hello Steve if the Kia was fitted with a manual box would you expect more mpg?

 

[SteveW77]

Hello Steve if the Kia was fitted with a manual box would you expect more mpg?

Over all certainly.
On motorways probably not, as the torque converter locks up in 5th & 6th it is in effect, a manual box when cruising.

Steve W

 

[Surfer]

Yes it is filled brim to brim and the 48mpg was on a run last Sunday from Luton to Bognor regis, so mostly motorway. My average day to day return is 38mpg. These figures are not exceptional for the New Kia Sorento 6 speed Auto. The last Sorento I owned never got above 32mpg on motorway trips no matter how it was driven.
I have been in the motor trade to long to rely on electronically recorded data for anything.

Steve W

I find those figures hard to believe as they are even higher than the figures on the Kia technical specification sheet. generally all manufacturers tend to over estimate and if you subtract 5 from the ir mpg figure it si evne lower. If they are correct then that is quite extraordinary for 2.2 engine on a auto vehicle weighing in at 2000kgs.