Auto neutral mode ? and rad or bumper removal

Matt brighton · 28th December 2006, 21:15

Hello,

I am a bit of a fuss-pot and the gearbox is really smooth and quiet - but want to ask for some 2nd opinions here please =

According to the handbook - my gearbox should automatically select neutral from a drive gear (diesel models only) if the car is still and the brake applied.

It dosn't.

Anything obvious I should check ?

- and I am not fully convinced the "Hill descent mode" is operating properly too - as the car feels like it changes down when I brake whether going downhill or on a level road

Any comments / observations and advice very welcome.

Also

The haynes recommends removing the rad etc to get at that pesky cooling fan (drain rad - de gass air con- but the posts I have read and looking at the car suggests the easier route to be to take the bumper off------what are the pro's cons ??

Thanks chaps

Matt-brighton

Keith · 28th December 2006, 22:27

Pass on the Auto I dont have one but goiing into Neutral from Drive sounds highly unlikely

And if the Haynes manual says to get to the fan via that route then the are bigger fools than I thought and have not done there homework as there is also the aircon condensor to get past as well. Bumper off is the easiest route by miles

Matt brighton · 29th December 2006, 07:56

Thanks for the reply Keith - much appreciated.

The automatic neutral mode is there in black & white in my owners handbook.

As I said - I am a real fuss pot - listening for rattles and squeaks is a bit of an illness of mine.

I occasionally have to drive other cars - which helpfully puts things into perspective and reminds me how good the 75 really is.

All the best

Matt-brighton

Keith · 29th December 2006, 09:22

Yes I read it

"Automatic neutral mode (diesel models only)
To improve fuel economy and reduce emissions, the
transmission automatically selects neutral from a drive gear
if the vehicle is stationary and the brake is applied. The
drive gear will automatically reselect when the brake is
released."

I wonder if it really does work like that though, my guess the lever does not move and this is happening within the box itself and you may just notice a temp rise in tickover but I wonder why it is a dielsel only thing unless it is a diesel only engine ECU specific command?

apywell · 29th December 2006, 09:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith

Yes I read it

"Automatic neutral mode (diesel models only)
To improve fuel economy and reduce emissions, the
transmission automatically selects neutral from a drive gear
if the vehicle is stationary and the brake is applied. The
drive gear will automatically reselect when the brake is
released."

I wonder if it really does work like that though, my guess the lever does not move and this is happening within the box itself and you may just notice a temp rise in tickover but I wonder why it is a dielsel only thing unless it is a diesel only engine ECU specific command?

Hi Keith

I have never noticed a change in tickover while waiting at lights. In fact when my engine is running normally (not the lumpy running i get sometimes) and i pull up at lights there does seem to be some change like going into neutral. It is a very smooth transaction from stop to pulling away. But no so when stopping. But then this is the first Diesel and first Auto I have owned so I don't know how they should behave.

apywell · 29th December 2006, 09:47

Quote:

According to the handbook - my gearbox should automatically select neutral from a drive gear (diesel models only) if the car is still and the brake applied.

It dosn't.

Anything obvious I should check ?

Hi Matt

As the hand book says.... it should automatically go from been in gear to tickover when the brake is applied. Sometimes mine can judder while the brake is applied but I think that is associated with my lumpy running that needs sorting out.

So does your 75 stall at lights?

JohnDotCom · 29th December 2006, 09:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt brighton

Hello,

I am a bit of a fuss-pot and the gearbox is really smooth and quiet - but want to ask for some 2nd opinions here please =

According to the handbook - my gearbox should automatically select neutral from a drive gear (diesel models only) if the car is still and the brake applied.

It dosn't.

Anything obvious I should check ?

Matt-brighton

Well My 2005 Auto doesn't do that, (go into Neutral) and its not in my 2005 Facelift handbook now (Was in the 2002 Handbook though) Im sure Ive read about this on .org will go and have a look.

JohnDotCom · 29th December 2006, 09:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnDotCom

Well My 2005 Auto doesn't do that, (go into Neutral) and its not in my 2005 Facelift handbook now (Was in the 2002 Handbook though) Im sure Ive read about this on .org will go and have a look.

Went to .org and fair bit on this and changing into Neutral at Traffic lights etc, but main answers are:

"Actually this only happens on the petrol versions, the diesels do not go into neutral when the brakes are applied when at a standstill.
The 75/ZT owners manual was updated in 2004 to correct the incorrect information originally printed regarding the above."

madone · 29th December 2006, 10:21

Mine is a 53 CDT auto and I have wondered myself why its in the handbook as it does not happen. At standstill in D it ticks over normally and when I release the foot brake away she goes. If I put her in N at lights whilst waiting you have to think ahead for a couple of seconds before selecting D to let her select gear, otherwise if you hit the accelerator too early a little "clunk" happens.

Not an expert as this is my first auto.

GreyGhost · 29th December 2006, 11:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnDotCom

Went to .org and fair bit on this and changing into Neutral at Traffic lights etc, but main answers are:

"Actually this only happens on the petrol versions, the diesels do not go into

Whoever said this is entirely wrong, petrols don't and never have entered neutral at standstill when the brake is applied.
Try blipping the throttle when stationary with Drive selected and the Handbrake applied. That will tell you what is what. (cover the footbrake for an emergency stop though just in case).

28th December 2006, 21:15	#1
Matt brighton Avid contributor Alfa Romeo 159 !! Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Brighton Posts: 175 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Auto neutral mode ? and rad or bumper removal Hello, I am a bit of a fuss-pot and the gearbox is really smooth and quiet - but want to ask for some 2nd opinions here please = According to the handbook - my gearbox should automatically select neutral from a drive gear (diesel models only) if the car is still and the brake applied. It dosn't. Anything obvious I should check ? - and I am not fully convinced the "Hill descent mode" is operating properly too - as the car feels like it changes down when I brake whether going downhill or on a level road Any comments / observations and advice very welcome. Also The haynes recommends removing the rad etc to get at that pesky cooling fan (drain rad - de gass air con- but the posts I have read and looking at the car suggests the easier route to be to take the bumper off------what are the pro's cons ?? Thanks chaps Matt-brighton __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

29th December 2006, 07:56	#3
Matt brighton Avid contributor Alfa Romeo 159 !! Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Brighton Posts: 175 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks for the reply Keith - much appreciated. The automatic neutral mode is there in black & white in my owners handbook. As I said - I am a real fuss pot - listening for rattles and squeaks is a bit of an illness of mine. I occasionally have to drive other cars - which helpfully puts things into perspective and reminds me how good the 75 really is. All the best Matt-brighton __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

28th December 2006, 22:27	#2
Keith This is my second home ZT400 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ellesmere Posts: 5,948 Thanks: 0 Thanked 43 Times in 29 Posts	Pass on the Auto I dont have one but goiing into Neutral from Drive sounds highly unlikely And if the Haynes manual says to get to the fan via that route then the are bigger fools than I thought and have not done there homework as there is also the aircon condensor to get past as well. Bumper off is the easiest route by miles

29th December 2006, 09:22	#4
Keith This is my second home ZT400 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ellesmere Posts: 5,948 Thanks: 0 Thanked 43 Times in 29 Posts	Yes I read it "Automatic neutral mode (diesel models only) To improve fuel economy and reduce emissions, the transmission automatically selects neutral from a drive gear if the vehicle is stationary and the brake is applied. The drive gear will automatically reselect when the brake is released." I wonder if it really does work like that though, my guess the lever does not move and this is happening within the box itself and you may just notice a temp rise in tickover but I wonder why it is a dielsel only thing unless it is a diesel only engine ECU specific command?

29th December 2006, 10:21	#9
madone Posted a thing or two none Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Durham Posts: 1,209 Thanks: 140 Thanked 31 Times in 22 Posts	Mine is a 53 CDT auto and I have wondered myself why its in the handbook as it does not happen. At standstill in D it ticks over normally and when I release the foot brake away she goes. If I put her in N at lights whilst waiting you have to think ahead for a couple of seconds before selecting D to let her select gear, otherwise if you hit the accelerator too early a little "clunk" happens. Not an expert as this is my first auto.