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Lurching forward in first gear

Discussion in 'Problems, Fixes, Tips...' started by AFR0N1, Mar 23, 2018.

  1. AFR0N1

    AFR0N1 Copenworld Regular

    Joined:
    Mar 22, 2018
    Location:
    East Midlands
    Car(s):
    Daihatsu Copen L880K (KMVZW)
    If I lift of the throttle and coast in first gear, the car lurches forwards. It only does this in first, I can coast in any other gear and everything is smooth.
    Is this normal? Or is something with my gearbox broken? (I hope not)
     
    Last edited: Mar 23, 2018
  2. Vin Petrol

    Vin Petrol Copenworld Regular

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2017
    Location:
    Stockport
    Car(s):
    2004 0.7 Copen
    Your car isn't getting enough fuel, you're not supposed to be driving along without your foot on the throttle in any gear really. Higher gears have less torque and actually demand less fuel to coast.
     
    Tony likes this.
  3. BarnsleyRob

    BarnsleyRob Copenworld Veteran

    Joined:
    Feb 2, 2017
    Location:
    South Yorks
    Car(s):
    2009/59 silver Copen 1298 cc (now gone to a new home)
    It’s not a clear description for us to go on but the clutch is snappy and first gear is relatively short. If you’ve got the 1300 cc version, there’s a decent amount of torque so it may be the cause. You sort of get used to driving the Copen (to the extent I’m a complete klutz driving the wife’s Mazda).

    If you’re concerned, get the gearbox oil changed. It should be done at 8 years on the 1300 cc and is relatively cheap. The transmission oil spec is in the manual.
     
  4. AFR0N1

    AFR0N1 Copenworld Regular

    Joined:
    Mar 22, 2018
    Location:
    East Midlands
    Car(s):
    Daihatsu Copen L880K (KMVZW)
    I have the 659cc model. My driving instructors car (diesel Peugeot 208) doesn't lurch or jerk forwards if I lift of the throttle in first at low speeds (clutch not being pressed, not braking or accelerating)
    But in my 659cc copen at low speeds in first it is smooth unless I am not pressing any of the pedals and just rolling forward (so no throttle, brake or clutch) Then it kinda jerks forwards repeatedly.
     
  5. Vin Petrol

    Vin Petrol Copenworld Regular

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2017
    Location:
    Stockport
    Car(s):
    2004 0.7 Copen
    It's not a problem with your car.
    Your car is lurching because it's not getting enough petrol to run smoothly.
    Diesels generally have more torque than petrol, more pulling power, that's why it's used for lorries and wagons that move at relatively low speeds pulling heavy loads, so at low fuel and presumably with a bigger engine, the diesel still has enough power to pull itself forward smoothly. A 659cc petrol car needs a bit of gas.

    All cars are slightly different, in fuel settings, clutch biting points ect, once you've been driving for a few years and in a few different cars you learn to adjust fairly quickly, unless you get some really horrible courtesy car like a Nissan Quashqai and feel like you're driving a bus for 3 weeks. :p
     
    AFR0N1 and Tony like this.
  6. Vin Petrol

    Vin Petrol Copenworld Regular

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2017
    Location:
    Stockport
    Car(s):
    2004 0.7 Copen
    Age and engine temperature affect it too - more modern cars have better fuel control and are less likely to stall, which is what your copen is coming close to when it's jerking like that.
    My first car had a manual choke, when you first started the car you had to pull the choke out to let more petrol in, then gradually push it back in to reduce the flow as the engine warmed up. If you didn't pull it out or pushed it in too soon, the car would judder like yours even with throttle!
     
    shane and AFR0N1 like this.
  7. AFR0N1

    AFR0N1 Copenworld Regular

    Joined:
    Mar 22, 2018
    Location:
    East Midlands
    Car(s):
    Daihatsu Copen L880K (KMVZW)
    Thank you for the info. Never knew this was normal in older petrol's. I'm glad there's no issue with the gearbox! :D
     
    Vin Petrol likes this.

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