I have a few questions about my new (to me) car. I've read the owner's manual but sometimes you just need things explained differently to understand.

1. Is it normal for the car to not 'creep' when in first gear? I've driven both semi-automatics and full automatics and both types have creeped forward.

2. Is there hill assist? I've tried researching this but can't seem to find the right answer. It's a 1.4L dualogic lounge model if that helps.

3. Is the correct procedure to park and start the car the following:

- Parking: leave gear stick in the middle (aka in 1st gear) and just handbrake and turn car off.
- Starting car: start engine, will beep to say it's in neutral, physically move gear stick into 'N', then move it back into middle into 1st gear.

4. Are you able to manually change gears when in auto mode as the car is moving or will this damage the gear box? Can you switch between auto and manual mode when moving safely or only when you're stopped? Can you switch the sport setting on when moving or, again, only when you're stationary?

5. When I press the brake it makes a "whooooosh" type of noise like there's air under the brake or something? (I'm not a car person, can you tell lol?) I've never had this with other cars and just wondering what this means.

Thank you!

Hello and welcome to the forum :wave:.


As to your first two questions:

1. Yes, this is normal. It's not a conventional automatic, it's a manual gearbox with an automatic clutch and selection mechanism.

2. Hill assist was standard on some models, an optional extra on others; without it, you'll need to use the handbrake when moving off on a hill, just as with a conventional manual car.

I expect one of the dualogic owners will be along shortly to answer the rest of your questions.

If you are not of a nervous disposition, you might want to read this thread.

jrkitching said:

Hello and welcome to the forum :wave:.


As to your first two questions:

1. Yes, this is normal. It's not a conventional automatic, it's a manual gearbox with an automatic clutch and selection mechanism.

2. Hill assist was standard on some models, an optional extra on others; without it, you'll need to use the handbrake when moving off on a hill, just as with a conventional manual car.

I expect one of the dualogic owners will be along shortly to answer the rest of your questions.

If you are not of a nervous disposition, you might want to read this thread.

Click to expand...

I seem to remember Hill assist was/is part of the (optional on the 1.2 when I bought) ESP system (easiest way to check if you've got that used to be the presence of the "ASR Off" button near the rear window heater switch.

Was ESP standard on the 1.4?

Hi, Congratulations on purchasing a car with one of the best gear boxes ever made - providing it doesn't go faulty.
When getting in the car ,the system should have pressurized , so pressthe brake and put it into Neutral, start the engine ,and offyou go; or if it's in gear one ,pressthe brake and while pressed start the engine.
While it's in Auto you can override it at any time . If the change would do any damage to the engine ,it beeps and won't let you do it. If it lets you change and then decides that perhaps you are in the wrong gear it changes back after about 10 seconds. If you really want to use a different gear move the lever over to the left and put it in Manual . Move it to the left again to put it back to Auto.
I've used one for 11 years and it really is magic.... until it goes faulty! then you really are in trouble. Best of luck!