Recently bought a 2014 HSE (L494) and love it.

However, it's my first auto (though I've driven many over the years) and have a couple of queries:

1. Our drive is quite steep and starting off means reversing uphill. I'm struggling to get a smooth take-off - too few revs and nothing happens; too many and it shoots backwards, ease off the gas and it comes to a halt. Any tips or is it just a case of 'you'll get used to it'?

2. When parking I put it in park and apply the handbrake. Should I also put it in reverse or D?

3. I'm intrigued to know how the autobox decides when to change gear. I understand its dependent in factors such as revs, throttle position and so on, but is there an idiot's guide to the algorithms it uses. I'd love to know!

Thanks all - and wow, what a car!

2. When parking I put it in park and apply the handbrake. Should I also put it in reverse or D?

I'm inclined to think, if you can put the transmission in park and reverse or "D" at the same time you have a major tranny issue.

Cheers
Col

As far as I know, there's only the one reverse gear.

An option would be to reverse into your driveway, this would allow you to regulate your speed using the brake. 2021 P400e Autobiography

Put the "handbrake" on first and let it sit against that before putting it in park. Otherwise you risk the weight of the vehicle against the park pawl which isn't ideal.

As for reversing out, do you release the handbrake before moving off? It will auto release if you drive away but that means adding extra revs which can give a jolt. The car has a hill hold function which is intended to stop it rolling when coming off the brakes and before the throttle is applied sufficient for movement. If the driveway is steep enough, this transition might be a bit harsh. Possibly it's just something you're going to have to learn how much throttle is required to just get it moving. Alternatively, use low range but that seems a bit extreme for simply parking/unparking.

I'd be tempted to put it in reverse, foot brake applied with the left foot, release the handbrake, apply a bit of throttle with the brake still applied and then slowly release the foot brake. This "takes the slack" out of the transmission and means you control the initial movement using the brakes. Don't apply a lot of revs, obviously - you'll probably learn quite quickly how many are required to give a smooth getaway. 2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
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Thanks guys. On my old Disco 3 (manual) I used low ratio reverse but the RRS has no low ratio. Thanks for the tip about handbrake first, then Park. Will try to remember!