So I took another vehicle for a test drive yesterday (this one: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/ad...amp;page=6 and when pulling away from junctions on at very low speeds, I noticed the torque converter wouldn't lock up straight away so the revs would rise faster than the expected acceleration if that makes sense.

Now I'm assuming this to a certain extent is normal and a gearbox service will perhaps lessen this effect?

Am I right or should the torque converter lock up straight away even at low revs?

Thanks guys.

Last edited by longmanh on 18th Feb 2018 11:32pm. Edited 1 time in total

I think that is fairly normal for the 8 speed gearbox on the TDV8 4.4. Also when the engine is starting from cold it deliberately holds it in a lower gear for longer to help warm the engine up faster. 2011 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE
1993 Discovery 1 3.5 V8i

Ok, that makes me feel a little better.

I guess it's also getting used to a slush box again with a torque converter.

Most cars I've seen have rust on the arches and upper tailgate.
I'm guessing it's quite a lot of work to get rid of it? Removing arches and either rubbing down and covering up or cutting it out completely.

Some also seem to have rust bubbling up under the black door surrounds, mainly the front doors. I'm guessing this is common as well.

I concur with TomCobley. It is actually quite noticeable sometimes from cold. :thumbs:

Nice car BTW - identical to mine except it has the black grille and highlighter splitter bar (mine are grey).

You might get that for a tad cheaper. 405 AB exec seats Baltic and Cirrus
93 RR Classic efi

Remember it's easier to get forgiveness than permission!

Gone in order:
4.4 TDV8 SE - gone to a good home
93 Classic hard dash Plymouth Blue
03 L322 Oslo Blue
2000 Disco TD5 ES Epsom Green
98 P38 Rioja Red
89 Classic Cairngorm Brown

Thanks mate, appreciate the comments.

I drove another one today which had the same torque converter behaviour so I'm sure it's normal.

Yeah I like the car. It's priced pretty well I think, the only things raising questions are the rust and the strong smell from the exhaust but I think this could be the cat being clogged maybe.
It only smells when you're round by the exhaust and not in the cabin.

I am so glad someone has asked, having had mine for just a month I was about to book it in to the workshop to have the gearbox looked at. Although mine does 250 miles each side of the week it does 2 trips of 5 miles on a weekday evening and I was convinced that the box felt like it was slipping when cold on those trips. Current Fleet:-
2018 Discovery 5 3.0 HSE
2021 Ford Ranger Wildtrack
2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt 5.0 V8
1993 Defender 90 200TDI Pickup

Gone - not forgotten
2016 L405 4.4 SDV8 Vogue SE
2012 L322 4.4 Westminster
2004 L322 4.4 V8 Autobiography LE
2000 P38 RR 4.0 HSE (ex Clarkson test car)

I'd say the slightly strained engine note pulling away from standstill is about the only thing I don't like about my 4.4 TDV8. It just sounds a tiny bit coarse, especially when at all other speeds the drivetrain is sublime.
As for that car, it looks really nice but then again photos are no substitute for seeing it in the flesh.
I'd be wanting to check the car's history from the registration plate, and of course the exact mileage; "100,000" is surely an approximation.

I find acceleration off the mark rather slow because the torque converter is slipped to keep engine revs high unless using very gentle throttle. For normal use, acceleration would be much more brisk if the TC didn't slip so much. Perhaps acceleration is quickest under sustained wide throttle openings if the TC is allowed to slip. However I don't like the engine noise nor want maximum acceleration so lift off once moving sufficiently which then sends the gearbox into a frenzy whilst it works out which gear is appropriate.

Mine's gbox software wasn't quite at the latest level and is now improved at keeping the TC locked in 3rd when turning slow street corners but no discernible reduction in TC slip off the mark.

Funny, I was going to ask a similar question to this.

If my car hasn't been driven for a couple of days then the change up seems lazy for a few miles, but is fine after that.
Even if I manually up shift, it is as though it's slipping, as it allows the revs to rise to about 1800rpm regardless of gear.
I also notice that taking my foot off the throttle allows the revs to drop back to ~700rpm as though the clutch is disengaged on a manual, rather than giving any engaged engine braking.

I did wonder if maybe an oil change will help, which I intend to do anyway, but if it's normal behaviour that's less urgent. Too many toys, not enough time

2011 4.4 TDV8 AB Black

Mine's TC will disengage on slow speed overrun even when hot. It does it every time after lifting off after going through a gateway at the top of a rise then turning hard right on a down-hill run. It re-engages when speed increases or the throttle is opened even just a little.

Mine will usually hold on to a gear when heading down hill.
If I manually downshift it definitely will, much like it will do in sport mode.

There is a roundabout at the top of a rise near me. I either have to accelerate to gain speed or manually change up, else it hangs on to the gear. Too many toys, not enough time

2011 4.4 TDV8 AB Black

I guess the reason it has all these characteristics is to prolong the life of the gearbox due to the weight of the car. If it was a similar gearbox to the one say found in my E63 which is an MCT, it would just chew through the gears.
That's my guess anyway.

Glad we're all experiencing the same behaviour.

When I had my gearbox oil changed recently, they did a software reset at the same time.
For the next couple of hundred miles it was holding gears much longer and the “slip” disappeared, but within a couple of weeks it was back to exactly as everyone else is describing.
I was warned to expect strange gear changes until it “re-learned” my driving style ??

Mike. G reg 2.5VM Vogue Portofino red 1991- 1999
V reg 2.5td P38 Rioja red 1999- 2006
53 reg td6 Vogue Oslo blue 2006- 2015
11 reg 4.4 TdV8 Vogue SE. Baltic blue 2015- date.
https://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic56162...tty+affair

I guess you can keep doing gearbox resets so the adaptations are relearnt each time or, carry out a gearbox reset, then drive it sports mode or via the paddles so it starts to adapt to a more sporty driving style. Might work.

I'm rather sceptical about this "learning gearbox" mularkey. I mean, my driving style is more to do with traffic, weather, time of day etc. etc. I don't mash the pedal to the floor since this is not how one should drive one's Range Rover. But seriously, I don't see how the gearbox can really be that clever when there's so many variables in play.