Moving off in a Vario...

[Tom]

Hello there chaps.

Is there something wrong with my car, or is it supposed to be as jerky as it is when moving off from a standstill? Initially I put it down to not being used to Vario driving and whatnot, but it's still happening, even when the pedal is pressed very lightly.

[trabitom99]

It's pretty hard to move off in a vario without the "jerkyness". You need a very tender right foot, and even then your fellow passengers tend to nod backwards.

Cheers

Tom

[volvodspec]

not hard at all! as long as the clutch is correctly adjusted

check the clutch gap and adjust it; pulling off will be a lot smoother/better if you sort that out

[trabitom99]

Anjo's right, I was exaggerating a bit

I made the test this morning - it should be possible to go through stop/start traffic without too much jerkiness. However, you can always tell when the clutch engages/disengages - it's easier to get the clutch to go in smoothly on a manual car.

Tom

[pettaw]

There's a kind of technique to it, although the guys are right it works much better if the clutch is adjusted properly. It should start engaging at 1100 rpm, although to check that you really need to jack up the back end, and have someone sit in the car and rev in gear whilst you watch the propshaft to see when it starts to jiggle.

Anyway, best way is to do a 'two stage' start off. Gently raise the revs until you just feel the clutch engage, and then you can press the gas harder to move off. I've found it virtually impossible to move off smoothly any other way.

[trabitom99]

... and to avoid clutch wear, only "floor it" when the clutch is completely engaged ...

Tom

[Tom]

Cheers for your replies lads, I've just put it down to my shoddy Vario driving, it seems to be getting better now.