Clutch questions

[Mutley]

Not really the most technical questions but . . . . .

I have a 2003 4.2, i've never had an automatic before so i dont know the answer but can you tell if the clutch is going like you can on a manual ?

Does the clutch even work the same way ?, is it ok to sit in traffic with stick in "D" foot on the brake ? Or should you move to "P" everytime ?

[Architex_mA8tey]

I think it depends on how long you're likely to be waiting for. If its a large junction where the wait is longer then I just knock mine into neutral and put the handbrake on, if you put it into park then it alarms the car behind when your reversing lights flash on as you go through reverse to get there!
If it's just a short while then I keep my foot on the brake for a few secs and then pull off as normal

If the clutches are going in the auto box then it will slip in a gear (or more) and the gearbox will go into limp mode and all the gear indicator lights on the dash binnacle will turn red.

[Mutley]

Originally Posted by Architex_mA8tey

If the clutches are going in the auto box then it will slip in a gear (or more) and the gearbox will go into limp mode and all the gear indicator lights on the dash binnacle will turn red.

Ah ok, well i've had no dash lights on so thats good but i'm not sure if ive had slipping or not, i've used the kickdown a couple of times and i cant work out if the revs are increasing prior or if its blipping the throttle or if its just the acceleration prior.

I guess i'm still a bit nervy of my new purchase and the speed is so effortless that its hard to keep an eye on both

[HPsauce]

Originally Posted by Mutley

used the kickdown a couple of times

I honestly can't recall the last time I did, other than when deliberately "playing" on an empty road.
Remember it will change down gears anyway with extra power in some situations.
Plus it's an auto box with torque converter and I think only top gear has "lock-up" so revs can vary quite a bit.

Not sure what kickdown you will have, some FL versions have an actual switch under the throttle pedal.

[Mutley]

Definately dont have a switch under the pedal, but the particular stretch of road forms part of an across the hills typical single lane national limit road, you turn into off a t junction and its progressively up hill for about a mile, nothing major but it only sticks in mind because its does cause the revs to shift and gears to change more than most.

I guess in a manual if it changed that much i'd "know" much clutch is gone which prompted me questions being a newbie to autos

[HPsauce]

If in doubt try the same road using manual shifts and observe what happens.
Autos can do odd things and, as was pointed out to me here recently, can sometimes be "fooled" into doing very odd things.