Hello All,

A few months back, we bought a Seat Arosa 1.4 auto. It is a cracking little car, and does everything we wanted it to very well. One small problem we're having though is that when the car is cold, the 1st to 2nd gearchange is very clunky - goes in with a thump. All other changes are smooth. Once warm, all gear changes are smooth.

Does anyone have any experience of auto boxes? If so, any suggestions what might cause this?

Finally, we're nowhere near the 'local' Seat garage, but very close to a VW one - do you think that they'd be happy to take a look. I know I could ring them up, but I'd rather be laughed at on here than by a VW receptionist over the phone..

Thanks in advance.

Stu

Hello All,

A few months back, we bought a Seat Arosa 1.4 auto. It is a cracking little car, and does everything we wanted it to very well. One small problem we're having though is that when the car is cold, the 1st to 2nd gearchange is very clunky - goes in with a thump. All other changes are smooth. Once warm, all gear changes are smooth.

Does anyone have any experience of auto boxes? If so, any suggestions what might cause this?

Finally, we're nowhere near the 'local' Seat garage, but very close to a VW one - do you think that they'd be happy to take a look. I know I could ring them up, but I'd rather be laughed at on here than by a VW receptionist over the phone..

Thanks in advance.

Stu

Hi Stu,

In any situation like this with an Automatic Gearbox, the ATF (Automatic Tranmission Fluid) is the first thing that needs to be checked as it is the most common cause of the problems you describe. On my Hyundai I have a dipstick to check it, it should be a pink colour and smell sort of sweet.

On VAG group cars though I have never seen a dipstick so probably best to get your dealer to take a look, they will also throw it on the diagnostics to check pressure levels in the gearbox.

As for contacting your VW Dealer, the Arosa is so similar to the Lupo so they could probably assist you

On VAG group cars though I have never seen a dipstick so probably best to get your dealer to take a look, they will also throw it on the diagnostics to check pressure levels in the gearbox.

Thanks very much for that. I looked into the ATF and there appears to be no dipstick to check - and the need for some kind of specialist tools to top up/replace the fluid.. so I'll give the VW garage a call. There is a 1.4 Lupo Auto too, so that must be the same gearbox...

Thanks again.

Stu

Thanks very much for that. I looked into the ATF and there appears to be no dipstick to check - and the need for some kind of specialist tools to top up/replace the fluid.. so I'll give the VW garage a call. There is a 1.4 Lupo Auto too, so that must be the same gearbox...

Thanks again.

Stu

Yes, it's probably also the same one that the Fabia MKI used as I think they are all 75BHP 1.4 16v's

Not very reliable IIRC, but probably doesent get as much wear and tear in an Arosa