Hey folks. Currently have a 64 plate SE SD4 auto. Having only had a manual TD4 before, I have nothing to compare the autobox to.

I have noticed that when I'm sitting at a roundabout, or junction, with the car in D, and put my foot down, there is a very noticeable delay before it seems to register that I have asked it to do something, then it springs into life. There's no jolt like i would expect if it wasn't in gear.

It can be slightly disconcerting when trying to use a space you see coming only for the car to have a think about it before going.

Is this normal for the auto? Everything thing else is absolutely great (Except the mpg )

*edit* I am aware I had similar conversations about this on the TD4 manual many years ago, but this was more of a hesitation and judder issue I think, which we all sadly know about. Learned to drive in 2011.
Bought a Micra - great little car
"Upgraded" to Kia Sportage - hated it
Proper upgrade to FL2 TD4 GS 60 reg Facelift - tailgate paint issues, fuel gauge rewire, transfer box failure at 36k miles, clutch at 60k
Reconditioned diff at 70k ish
Sold at 84k and now on a DS. Terribly unreliable.
Sold DS for a 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. Fingers crossed....
Sold Outlander for a 2014 SD4 SE Tech because I’m mental

Don't worry, it is quite normal for the SD4 Auto to be a bit slow to make up its mind about which gear it needs, and therefore delays take-off, and changing gear when command selected.

Mashing the accelerator to the floor will cause a noticeable pause, but the resulting (low gear) acceleration is very impressive in a SD4.

My SD4s have proved to be, with it's AWD, by far the best car I have ever owned for turning out of a country back road and joining a fast main road.

Likewise feeding in the acceleration early and slowly as I round a sharp corner also will allow the SD4 to pick up speed extremely well on the next straight.

Complaints about slow witted auto boxes are common across many makes, but it makes them generally super smooth. FL2 XS SD4 Auto 2010 2012-2017 (21k - 91k miles) (MY2011)
FL2 Metropolis SD4 Auto 2014 2017- (16k - 76k+ miles) (MY2015)

I agree with Ian. Yes there is a slight lag, but you can get around it with a little anticipation.

At road junctions and roundabouts where you have to stop, I think I momentarily very slightly, pre-load the throttle and then press more progressively when required

I am not sure that describes things very well but hopefully you get the gist. I very rarely, if ever "floor" the throttle

Hope that helps. Steve

Thanks guys. Yes what you’re saying makes sense. I’ll try that and see how it goes. It just seemed odd as it’s an otherwise very responsive car. Learned to drive in 2011.
Bought a Micra - great little car
"Upgraded" to Kia Sportage - hated it
Proper upgrade to FL2 TD4 GS 60 reg Facelift - tailgate paint issues, fuel gauge rewire, transfer box failure at 36k miles, clutch at 60k
Reconditioned diff at 70k ish
Sold at 84k and now on a DS. Terribly unreliable.
Sold DS for a 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. Fingers crossed....
Sold Outlander for a 2014 SD4 SE Tech because I’m mental

Try this procedure.

1). Press Start Button, foot off Brake.
(2). Press Accelerator to the floor, count 20 seconds.
(3). Remove foot from Accelerator.
(4). Wait 2 minutes.
(5). Start engine and drive.

Some people say it’s a gearbox reset, I think it resets the throttle pedal end points and might help with your problem.

I’ll give that a go too. Cheers. Learned to drive in 2011.
Bought a Micra - great little car
"Upgraded" to Kia Sportage - hated it
Proper upgrade to FL2 TD4 GS 60 reg Facelift - tailgate paint issues, fuel gauge rewire, transfer box failure at 36k miles, clutch at 60k
Reconditioned diff at 70k ish
Sold at 84k and now on a DS. Terribly unreliable.
Sold DS for a 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. Fingers crossed....
Sold Outlander for a 2014 SD4 SE Tech because I’m mental

Let us know how you get on please . FL2 SD4 XS 2013 Orkney Grey

Will do. There’s nothing more annoying than finding a thread that doesn’t get updated with the outcome! Learned to drive in 2011.
Bought a Micra - great little car
"Upgraded" to Kia Sportage - hated it
Proper upgrade to FL2 TD4 GS 60 reg Facelift - tailgate paint issues, fuel gauge rewire, transfer box failure at 36k miles, clutch at 60k
Reconditioned diff at 70k ish
Sold at 84k and now on a DS. Terribly unreliable.
Sold DS for a 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. Fingers crossed....
Sold Outlander for a 2014 SD4 SE Tech because I’m mental

While I was out driving my SD4 yesterday, I realised that I do intervene to improve the response of my auto.

During the many years of SD4 use I have learnt to use the sport mode to increase the natural eagerness of the gear changes, and also the better control of the vehicle generally. I now regularly engage sport mode (auto) when travelling our winding, undulating, minor roads.
I also use this mode when I need to accelerate from low speed past the many (hobby) cyclists that clog our local picturesque roads.

One other thing I have found is that, in slippery, rainy (or icy) conditions, selecting sport mode (command shift) and grass/gravel/snow gives reassuring, save control over my progress.

I explained it here
https://www.freel2.com/forum/topic31250.html?highlight=grass FL2 XS SD4 Auto 2010 2012-2017 (21k - 91k miles) (MY2011)
FL2 Metropolis SD4 Auto 2014 2017- (16k - 76k+ miles) (MY2015)

Did the procedure this morning. Might be placebo but it did feel more responsive from standstill. I’ll know tomorrow when I’m going to work and always need to nip out of a certain junction.

Also, I have found that there’s no difference in takeoff response when in S mode. Once going it’s clearly using different gears and is very responsive, but not from standstill. Learned to drive in 2011.
Bought a Micra - great little car
"Upgraded" to Kia Sportage - hated it
Proper upgrade to FL2 TD4 GS 60 reg Facelift - tailgate paint issues, fuel gauge rewire, transfer box failure at 36k miles, clutch at 60k
Reconditioned diff at 70k ish
Sold at 84k and now on a DS. Terribly unreliable.
Sold DS for a 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. Fingers crossed....
Sold Outlander for a 2014 SD4 SE Tech because I’m mental

IIRC normal pulling away is in 2nd gear for the autobox. However if you select "sand" mode it'll start off in 1st as the mode keeps the revs high. Jules

No, I have the instrument cluster mod that alex_pescaru developed that shows which gear you are in and I can confirm that it starts in 1st gear whether in normal or Sport mode

cheers - I thought it was second - every day is a school day  Jules

I know that the FL2 Auto Gearbox learns and adapts continuously as you drive, but on reflection I believe that I may have also 'adapted' over the 11 years I have been driving an SD4 Auto.

Therefore I will not see delays, etc in the same light as someone new to the SD4. FL2 XS SD4 Auto 2010 2012-2017 (21k - 91k miles) (MY2011)
FL2 Metropolis SD4 Auto 2014 2017- (16k - 76k+ miles) (MY2015)

Interestingly, my Disco Sport is noticeably sluggish off the line, something I’ve never really noticed in my FL2.