Like others have said I haven't encountered an slow speed issues with my PHEV which always moves off on electric only. However it only solo and I don't tow with the PHEV.
But can they be slow and controlled is what I think the OP is asking.
I have driven a few EV loan cars. They have all been very controllable at slow speeds. Crawling in them is not a problem.
John
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Torque converter diesel auto.
When on cruise control, if a gear change is needed it happens without dropping out of drive like a manual does the moment you touch the clutch.
Auto is far more relaxed to drive in traffic.
Just about every new lorry is an auto now, virtually impossible to buy a manual. When I worked for a coach company in around 2018 they made a management decision to only purchase coaches with auto transmission because the maintenance costs were proven, by the industry, to be less.
No way on the planet will I ever go back to a manual. (But I woukd only consider a torque converter auto as there are no clutches etc to wear out,unlike a DSG or similar. Personal opinion of course)
When on cruise control, if a gear change is needed it happens without dropping out of drive like a manual does the moment you touch the clutch.
Auto is far more relaxed to drive in traffic.
Just about every new lorry is an auto now, virtually impossible to buy a manual. When I worked for a coach company in around 2018 they made a management decision to only purchase coaches with auto transmission because the maintenance costs were proven, by the industry, to be less.
No way on the planet will I ever go back to a manual. (But I woukd only consider a torque converter auto as there are no clutches etc to wear out,unlike a DSG or similar. Personal opinion of course)
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Actually Torque converter gearboxes DO have clutches.
Many years ago a friend had a Ford Corsair Auto that seemed to slip. We took it to a local specialist (an ex copper). Who diagnosed the âfront clutchâ. Repair was quick and cheap as it could be accessed through a side panel without having to remove the box.
Googling tells us they still have clutches. But they are now lock up clutches.
John
I see where you are coming from John.
All auto boxes , TC or DSG contain a form of clutch , a brake band.
The TC is not a clutch as normal but a fluid flywheel assembly using hydraulics as the clutch. Once the engine is warmed up the flywheel TC assembly will lock as in a manual.
I have no wish to be pedantic but the word clutch in any auto box can mean differing things.
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My example referred to a 1960âs car. Regarding the âfront clutchâ. It felt just like a manual with a slipping clutch. I dare say that Torque converter boxes have improved since then.
However, according to this, they have multiple clutches.
The Absence of Traditional Clutches
Unlike manual transmissions, which rely on friction-based clutches to engage and disengage gears, automatic transmissions operate without traditional clutches. Instead, they utilize multiple internal clutches and bands that are actuated hydraulically to control gear engagement and disengagement. These clutches and bands work in conjunction with the torque converter to facilitate smooth gear changes and optimize power delivery to the wheels.John
No Iâm not. So whatâs so funny?
The Swedish national police changed their fleets of manual Saabs to auto Saabs and operating costs reduced and availability increased. Despite the officersâ misgivings their acceleration times reduced and they eventually endorsed the move.
Sorry, but it just is! Do you have electric windows, or do you still prefer the winding ones?
There is simply no comparison to driving, towing or off roading with the modern Auto compared to, a now, totally pointless manualâŠâŠâŠEspecially with a parking brake lever! đđđđ€Łđ€Ł. Sorry, but it IS just so funny. I will gather myself together now. đ
Saab have not made a car for ten years! đđđ€Łđ€Ł Oh stop itâŠâŠâŠPlease!
Ps: Love the dogs btw! đ
See, I'm kind of with otherclive on this. I drive quite a few different cars, and for all their smoothness in most circumstances I find most BEV's and DCT autos to be really quite irritating when it comes to precision creeping movement - like when parallel parking for instance. Very difficult to control the last few mm - not helped by hysterical front and back sensors which can both be going off at the same time if it's a particularly tight manoeuvre. Electric parking brakes, autohold and so on, make the transition between moving and not moving totally binary. Analogue can be more enjoyable.
It depends.
I have had just 5 auto cars. Starting way back with a Morris Marina, so not very up to date.
The SsangYong 2015 was controllable at slow speeds, but had very harsh gear changes. Then the Volvo V70 was just about perfect. Followed by an MG ZS which was just as you are describing at low speeds, (it is the reason I got rid of it), but gear changes were fine. My present Mazda is like the Volvo, excellent.
Cars are not all the same.
I would prefer an old fashioned hand brake even though my current electronic one releases smoothly.
I once had a manual Citroen XM with a foot operated hand brake. It was released with a hand button. Once I got the hang of it, hill starts were easy enough.
John
I also have a Ford Ranger Pick Up manual, and I often park by feel!
But control the last few mm! Thatâs an interesting concept. I have never had an issue controlling an auto, either when parking, or using the reversing camera to hitch my caravanâŠâŠ..Never! Perhaps youâre a little heavy on the throttle, and I see absolutely nothing enjoyable about an â analogueâ parking brake, and I have both.đ€· But we are all different. đ
I was just making the point that many consider automatics as potentially unreliable, but even back in the 1990s Saab demonstrated that wasnât necessarily the case. But then the automatics were torque converter types not the later twin clutch or CVT. Having had a Saab 9000 CSE turbo which was an excellent tow car Iâm aware of Saabs sad demise in 2011.
Oh and the dogs crossed the Rainbow Bridge last year.
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Careful now John calling it a â foot operated hand brakeâ could make you a target for hilarity.
Have you used a twin clutch auto for close quarter combat such as hitching up, tight parallel parking etc. That's what my comment was about in post #123. I had my first auto in. 1986 a Volvo 245 GLE, and have had all three types of automatic boxes, so Iâm experienced in driving cars with auto boxes and do prefer them for towing.
Imo the T.C Autos are best for manoeuvring providing the auto hold brake is switched off.
Iâm still not clear just how slow the EV can manoeuvre? I suppose I should try my sons Volvođ
Are you talking Twin clutch or Torque converter auto. In my experience the latter is superior especially when matched to a diesel. Be interested in the test if your sons Volvo. But donât forget there are several different types of EV powertrain so itâs not a one size fits all.
Seeing as I consider the dogs far more important than debating the superiority of the modern auto to a manual, I am sorry to hear that. I have an auto, a manual and an ESS. đ
We at least we have something in common, as we have auto and manual too. . The current dog is now a 2 year old rehomed Sprocker, with boundless energy, pulls on lead and doubtful recall, and fears nothing. Even felt sorry for the Collie-Springer this week.
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It's dependent on the car. My Polestar low speed control is incredibly good. The throttle response gives astonishing levels of precision. Our Fiat 500E - not so much. My youngest Corsa E is also very good.
How slow is creep? I don't see a difference, I have had no issues with any sort of slow speed control.
If it starts to creep too quickly, I believe VW fitted brakes. Maybe I'll have to look for them, Ah found them, always wondered what the second pedal was for.
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