Can anyone tell me of there is an ant-stall device fitted to the 170 diesel 4x4 estate?

Have noticed that in heavy traffic in first gear I can take my feet of all the pedals and the car slows down to 5mph and just keeps going and never stalls. Find this very useful in slow moving traffic especially on steep hills in queuing traffic.

Does this cause any damage to the engine?

Can see that it will be really useful also in snow if it does not do any damage driving like this.

Is this normal as its my first experience with a car that will not stall.

If its an auto, then that's quite normal. Not a good idea to drive too far like that though, I wouldn't think.

You can do this in most gears on a Derv

Petrols can do it, but generally arent happy doing so.

I've never owned a diesel that hasn't done this. They all just chug forward at tick over

Useful in stop start motorway jams

Car is a 2012 model manual

Perfectly normal with a diesel engine.Auto or manual makes no difference.Petrol will also manage it but they normally tick over slower than a diesel and it is not such a smooth creep.

Retired M.V.Tech with over 40 years experience of diesel and petrol.

On mine you can do that in 1st, 2nd, 3rd and even 4th especially when you are in easy 30mph limits.

Assuming off-road with plenty of space around..

In 1st low in Defenders you can jump out, swap drivers all at a nice sedate pace, while the truck continues on.

The 170 is amazing on tic-over, not long after having mine I slowed down to 30mph for a village and didn't realise I was still in 6th gear, when I took my foot of the brake the car started to accelerate by itself, took me by surprise I tell ya! don't know what speed it would have got to as soon realised my mistake! I was just amazed as on other cars I'm sure it would have coughed and spluttered and probably stalled!

It's known as diesel creep. Is taught in advanced driving, especially ambulance and police. i was taught when manuvering not to use accelerator at all. Provides a quiet, smooth and professional looking manoeuvre said my instructor... And certainly works on underpowered 5 tonne Mercedes ambulances.

Edited 22 November, 201213 yr by DaveyWhite

Basically anything with engine management will do it though diesels are better. The engine management will try to make sure the engine ticks over at a consistent speed, and adapts the fuel and air to keep it doing that. If uou drive like you say, and then dip the clutch, the engine revs will pick up slightly until the engine management catches up. Likewise if you are sat stationary and just let the clutch out you will stall. If you do it gently the engine management can 'keep up' with the increase in load.

Having my first diesel experience in a PD130 Octavia this was how I always used to drive in slow limits. Had a shock when trying to do this in my 09 plate 160 bhp Insignia. Try being in 4th gear at 40 and it would just bang and shake and try to stall! Did not suit my driving style at all.