Is this normal for an automatic/easytronic car?

[Crabman]

Yesterday for the first time I drove an automatic vehicle, a 57 reg Astra. It had an 'easytronic' transmission.

What I was quite uneasy about was the way the accelerator wasn't exactly what I'd call responsive.

With my car (manual) when I press the accelerator it responds immediately but with the Astra I found it took about a second for the engine to react. I know that doesn't sound a lot but it's quite a while in this context.

When I came to roundabouts, I had to slow right down even if there was a large enough gap to easily pass, because I couldn't really rely on the power being there.

Is this how it's supposed to work or is it just a rubbish bit of technology? The owner hasn't reported any similar problems so I'm wondering whether it's just me not being used to an automatic/easytronic vehicle.

[hieveryone]

I dislike automatics for that reason, it takes a while for the engine to kick in and change the gear for you - with a manual if you want to overtake you can drop a gear and push it, with automatics you can't.

[goldspanners]

I dislike automatics for that reason, it takes a while for the engine to kick in and change the gear for you - with a manual if you want to overtake you can drop a gear and push it, with automatics you can't.

with traditional autos some have shift down buttons that you press which will drop it into the lower gear to help you over take if you need it in.

havent driven an easytronic though crabbers.

[hieveryone]

with traditional autos some have shift down buttons that you press which will drop it into the lower gear to help you over take if you need it in.

havent driven an easytronic though crabbers.

aahh that would probably be quite handy!

I drove automatics when I was in America, they love them over there, and don't understand why we mostly have manuals - but I like the feeling of changing gear etc!

[cajef]

with a manual if you want to overtake you can drop a gear and push it, with automatics you can't.

Most automatics have what is known as 'kick down', if you floor the accelerator it will drop a gear to give you the acceleration when overtaking or going up a steep hill.

I have driven both manual and automatics for years, and now much prefer an auto, my Honda has no lag on the accelerator but that is a normal standard auto, however I have driven a car with an 'easytronic' transmission and also found a distinct time lag which I found most off putting and takes a while to get used to.

[iolanthe07]

The GM easytronic is notorious for this, especially on the Corsa. A good traditional autobox is nearly as responsive as a manual, without the danger of missing the gate. I understand that Mitsubishi autoboxes are particularly well thought of.

[vikingaero]

Sounds about right for the easytronic. Most other automated manuals such as the MMT on Toyotas are fairly similar.

[jeannieblue]

Crabbers,

Where the hell you been????????

Those gear boxes are cr*p by the way .. :D

[harveybobbles]

Try driving a Saab with a Sensonic 'box. Now THATS different...

[Sirbendy]

I dislike automatics for that reason, it takes a while for the engine to kick in and change the gear for you - with a manual if you want to overtake you can drop a gear and push it, with automatics you can't.

Hell. I must have owned 6 manuals then...nope..I have to disagree ;)

I've had 4 3 speed autos, and now on my second 4 speed Vauxhall - I've never known it "take a while". It's always instant, at least when I'm driving it. The first 4 were full hydro boxes, the last 2 were computer controlled.

Easytronics and the like I can't comment on. Not driven any. I like full-auto. Never had any issues like that..all 1.4/1.6 engines. I will admit the ECU controlled ones are a tad more responsive, whereas the full hydro boxes are more laid back.

Kickdown is usually actuated at the extreme end of the pedal - that may seem delayed. I tend to click the sports switch and let the car downchange as I give it throttle. More economical too.

I find manuals to be jerky, slow to mush from standstill, and all in all limited..maybe that's the people driving them. :rotfl:

My all time favourite is the VW/Audi/Skoda DSG Auto/Semi auto 6 speed gearbox...I've recently had one as a hire car while I bought the new one...fork me, does it go. 6 gears, totally seamless changes, will happily exceed the speed limit in 3rd (to be fair it caught me unawares, and I immediately lifted my foot off! I'd only had it for a few hours).

One day, maybe all autos will be like that. For now, having read some of the easytronic/MMT woe stories, I'll stick to my "normal" autobox. :cool:

[KeithP]

Diesel automatics seem to me to be the most hesitant.

[Sirbendy]

you know, I'd LOVE to have a Diesel auto...never can find one. To me, it sounds ideal..economy, low end torque..i'd have thought it's work quite well.

[cpdc1030]

This is a problem endemic to the Vauxhall Easytronic. It isn't a true automatic transmission - more like a robotic manual in some ways. However it always seems to be too slow to react.

A regular automatic gets worse fuel efficiency but is much smoother. The VW DSG transmission is the best of both worlds - responsive and with better fuel efficiency as it has two clutches and can guess which gear needs to be selected next.

[Dave101t]

i think i know what you mean, OP, but you have to remember its (in effect) working the clutch for you so needs a 1/2 second longer, it doesnt know what you are going to do until you do it, whereas in a manual you can prepare the right gear and apply 'gas' (i hate that term!) instantly.
i drove a 4 speed automatic for a year and the 1st time it happened, i just thought 'ok, need to react sooner' and it was fine. also, every automatic ive driven (a few) has the kickdown on the gas pedal. someone correctly said floor it, and it kicks down a gear or two.
interestingly, ive always found an automatic is always faster than a manual...