Sensodrive

[Robingc]

Just need a bit of help before I go and make a fool of myself! I've been driving automatics for a bit and now have my (maybe one of the few non leaking touch wood touch wood pluriels) and usually, say for a hill start, the automatics won't roll back if it is in drive mode, however in my 53 senso, it does, so need to use the handbrake all the time (pure laziness) is this normal - getting worried if this is the case as the handbook says about parking on a hill like normal you can select a gear to assist the handbrake - but if this is not stopping roll-back, will it help when the engine is off???

[CE08LDB]

I am having a C3 1.6i 16v Exclusive Sensodrive next week. But when you mention Handbreaks my brother has a C3 1.4i SX Auto and when it is still in drive and the handbreak is on it stills moves forward. Never happened on his past 2 Saxo's.

[jazzster]

Sensodrive does not work like a Automatic. It is a normal five speed gearbox and clutch with electric controls to change gear and operate the clutch. You must use the handbrake on a hill or it will roll back.

Also as I understand it if you leave it in gear and handbrake on and engine off the gearbox does help to hold the car on a hill.

[CE08LDB]

I am a bit concerned because when I do my test in mine I hope the test examiner don't expect me to drive in Manual because I use handcontrols. There again though my dealer would have advised me to go for 1.4i SX Auto if this was the case

[hertsnminds]

jazzster is correct, SensoDrive is an automatic CLUTCH system not an automatic gearbox.

The clutch is engaged when you press the accelerator pedal (or when the computer thinks it should be) and is disengaged when the SensoDrive computers think it needs to be (for things like changing gear or if the car is about to stall).

You can hold a SensoDrive car on a hill with very light pressure to the accelerator pedal BUT the owners handbook does not recommend this, it says you should use the handbrake.

When the engine is off you can leave the car in Reverse, Neutral or 1st gear and this has the same effect as it would in a standard manual car. As soon as you start the engine neutral is selected by the SensoDrive system.

The SensoDrive system also does things you would not expect. If you are going down a steep hill you can use the gears to slow you down, but if you start to use the brake heavily enough the clutch will disengage and you will be slowed be the brakes alone.

If it is a cold (about 0 deg C) and wet morning the Sensodrive system may switch into snow mode, this takes about 3 seconds during which time the car does nothing while it selects auto mode and 2nd gear.

Both of the above can be scary things the 1st time they occur, you have to adjust your driving style to match the SensoDrive system, it is not like any other technique for driving.

Ian
Orange 03 Senso

[Robingc]

Phew - thanks for that - have managed to change my driving style a bit and am getting used to it now - but as you said it's a bit different!

robingc
Orange 53 senso

[CE08LDB]

The 1.4i Automatic gear box is not very good on the C3 when you stop and say you engage reverse is still rolls forward so you got press the accelerator quickly. Many times when my brother has been parking he has nearly hit other parked cars

[CE08LDB]

When me and my brother had a lift home from the garage in their C3 Sensodrive I noticed the driver put it in neutral and let it roll some times but in the manual Citroen said not to select neutral while in motion.

[hertsnminds]

[quote] the driver put it in neutral and let it roll some times[/quote]
Sounds like the driver was treating it as an normal manual and not a SensoDrive.
You can flick in into neutral at any speed but it is not recommended by the owners handbook.

[quote]Automatic gear box is not very good on the C3 when you stop and say you engage reverse is still rolls forward[/quote]
Thing with a SensoDrive is you cannot even select reverse unless your foot is on the brake pedal.


Ian
Orange 03 Senso