Anyone with a HDi Auto?

[seanoconnell87]

So just to preface this - I'm new to both the diesel and auto world so my concerns may be nothing to worry about.

I've had my auto HDi estate for about 2/3 weeks now and there's something that bothers me slightly which I'm not sure is a fault or just different to what I'm used to. I've always had manual petrol cars under 1.8 (last car was 1.6 Primera) so it might just take some getting used to.

For anyone that has a diesel auto pug - when should the gear changes be happening on gentle acceleration? It seems fine from 1st to 2nd, but when going up to 3rd it seems to hold off until about 2000rpm and roughly 25mph. No problem changing up from there, but it just seems like it's holding a bit long to me. In a manual, I'd generally change very early anyway, so maybe it's just different to what I'm used to, but it'd be good to have feedback from anyone with experience with a diesel/autobox combo.

[Bailes1992]

Auto's always feel like that. You also have to consider the gearbox in the 406 is basically 3 speed with overdrive. There is quite a gap between 3rd/4th so it may need to wait for revs to rise enough before it changes.

[seanoconnell87]

Auto's always feel like that. You also have to consider the gearbox in the 406 is basically 3 speed with overdrive. There is quite a gap between 3rd/4th so it may need to wait for revs to rise enough before it changes.

Thought it might just be me alright, thanks. Might just take some getting used to then. Anyone know if it's a big job to replace the transmission fluid in one of these? From research it looks like the amount of fluid used needs to be spot on, and at 60C to check. Any idea how much I should be looking to spend for a local mechanic to change for me?

[Bailes1992]

Personally with Autoboxes I'd be sticking to Peugeot only specialists or Gearbox specialists. Have a good service gone on it including the filters.
Where you based?

[Bailes1992]

Can I also ask what fuel economy is like? Fancy a 2.0 HDi SE/Exec with an Autobox.

[seanoconnell87]

Based in Dublin. Haven't had a chance to measure mpg yet, but should be able to in the coming weeks. The majority of my journeys are relatively short though so mightn't be a good representation.

[seanoconnell87]

Just a quick update here - I had a chance to measure mpg over the last fill and averaged 40.55mpg with a mix of long drives and 2 weeks of urban driving. Thought it'd be worse to be fair. Trip computer measured 37.4.

[gumby6371]

Just a thought on your gear changes, going from petrol to diesel you do have to change your driving style slightly. Shifting up too early in a diesel can result in bad turbo lag, particularly at low speed. My Mk1 td and I believe the HDI enters the turbo power range just below 2000 rpm. You'd find it very obvious in a manual but I'm guessing the electronics in your auto will hold the lower gear a little longer to ensure the lag doesn't occur.
If you get a chance to drive a manual let the revs drop in 4th then boot it, you'll soon find out about diesel turbo lag.
I find diesels much more forgiving on gear selection when pottering about but if you want to get a hurry on you need to be a bit more awareness of revs and power bands than in it's petrol powered cousin.

[seanoconnell87]

I've had the car a few months now and I have a good grasp of how it works. It's strange, but there's a bit of a trick to getting it to kick up a gear. It could absolutely do with another gear though, 4 just isn't enough and it's not great at motorway speeds. Is there anyone else on here with the AL4 box?