Citroen Berlingo Multispace - Should there b any lurch on automatic gear shifts?

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
View Threaded
Tue 23 Mar 2021 15:30
Citroen Berlingo Multispace - Should there b any lurch on automatic gear shifts? - William Arbuckle

Hi there, I've just received a 2017 Citroen Berlingo Multispace, Diesel Automatic. 15k miles.

On doing a short test drive, the one thing that stood out to me were the very obvious gear shifts.

I don't feel the shifts much at all in my previous Ford Focus Petrol Automatic. But the shifts in this diesel van definitely moved me forward in my seat a bit. Mostly from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd.

My question - is this somewhat expected behaviour? I really have very little vehicle knowledge.

Thanks!

-Will

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 23 Mar 2021 17:28
Citroen Berlingo Multispace - Should there b any lurch on automatic gear shifts? - daveyjp

Probably an automated manual, rather than a true automatic.

Some are worse than others, but if the clutch or mechatronic units aren't calibrated correctly (or clutch is worn) it can lead to jerkiness.

You would need to drive another to see if yours is normal.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 2 Apr 2021 07:55
Citroen Berlingo Multispace - Should there b any lurch on automatic gear shifts? - William Arbuckle

Ah ha, yes it's an automated manual. I didn't know such things existed.

Apparently it's really common in Citroen 'automatics'. Something to get used to as I really like the rest of the car. A little lift off the accelerator on gear changes smooths things out just like on a manual but it's obviously a little trickier to time.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 23 Mar 2021 17:33
Citroen Berlingo Multispace - Should there b any lurch on automatic gear shifts? - Metropolis.
If it is an automated manual on a single clutch it will be jerky no matter how well it is calibrated. One thing you can do is ease off the throttle slightly between gear changes which should make for slightly smoother progress. It may also have adaptive values learned from a previous owner which you can have reset usually with a code reader. Whether that would make it better or worse is anyones guess.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 2 Apr 2021 07:57
Citroen Berlingo Multispace - Should there b any lurch on automatic gear shifts? - William Arbuckle

Yes thanks, a little lift off works well but trickier to time than a straight up manual.

Either that, or just accelerate reeeeally slowly (:

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 23 Mar 2021 17:46
Citroen Berlingo Multispace - Should there b any lurch on automatic gear shifts? - Metropolis.
I suspect BBD may have more input here with his AGS Suzuki, which might do better than the Berlingo. Maybe the torque involved in a diesel exaggerates the jerkiness, it is usually smoother asa passenger sitting in a petrol manual car than it is in a diesel I think because of the more linear power delivery of an n/a petrol.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 23 Mar 2021 18:28
Citroen Berlingo Multispace - Should there b any lurch on automatic gear shifts? - Rerepo

If you have the option to reject the car then do so! A French automated manual sounds a nightmare. Even the Japs can't get them right. And it won't improve with age...

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 2 Apr 2021 07:56
Citroen Berlingo Multispace - Should there b any lurch on automatic gear shifts? - William Arbuckle

Seems to be working fine tbh. Just something to get used to.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link

From economical vans to those that have the largest payloads, we have a shortlist for everyone - click to find out which will suit your needs.

Undecided on which van to buy? Our Top 10 shortlists can help...