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Shifting attitude

We no have taken delivery of our new SEAT Alhambra 2.0TDI 140 and I wanted to ask you if you could give your advice about the following. The gearbox has 6 forward gears, which neither of us are used to. Are there any tips you may be able to give us about the best use of this gearbox? I imagine that sixth gear would only be of use on the Motorway, not round town? The car has an ESP switch. Should we just turn this on and forget about it? The salesman told me the engine and gearbox are both made by VW and are both high quality units. Do you agree? Finally, are there any weaknesses or common faults with this model that we should look out for. Many thanks in advance for all the kind and patient help you've given us.

Asked on 3 October 2009 by

Answered by Honest John
You use a technique known as 'block changing'. Instead of going up through all the gears you go 3rd to 5th, 4th to 6th, etc., depending on the circumstances. This engine doesn't have much torque below about 1,700rpm so you will need to stay above that and probably in 4th or 4th about town. Forget about the ESP switch. Pressing it switches the ESP off, not on. No, I don't agree that VW means high quality. On the basis of feedback from readers it’s more illusory than genuine. The Shalambra is an old yet basically sound design. Look up Ford Galaxy Mk I, VW Sharan and SEAT Alhambra in car-by-car breakdown at www.honestjohn.co.uk
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