Toyota Starlet Automatic Gear

[Arura]

I just bought a Toyota Starlet 98 with automatic gear.

My dad's Mercedes also has automatic gear, and when he stops the car in a hill he is able to keep the car still in D gear without using the brakes.

But when doing the same with the Toyota starlet, alas D gear in a hill without brakes, and the car moves. It is my first car with automatic gear. The seller says it is normal for this car, is it?

Thanks in advance.

[nrgizerbunny]

yes it is normal, when you let go of the brakes the transmission engages and you go away.

toyota autos are IIRC torque converters so pretty much constantly on when in drive, so it will try and drive all the time. a merc auto i think is electronically controlled (well if its the new one).

same thing happens in a manual car if you let go of the clutch very slowly and not press anything it will move away.

hope this helps

have a nice day

sv

[Boro Sera]

That's pretty much what I was thinking.

Comparing most small cars to something like a Merc doesn't usually work well, due to the phenomenal amount of electronics and computer assistance the Germans like to use.

( Unless of course the car rolls backwards when you're facing uphill. Shouldn't do that in 'D')

Rich

[Arura]

The car rolls backwards when facing uphill in D. Is it a problem and what kind of problem?

Thanks

[nrgizerbunny]

how steep is the hill?

if when you get on the power it drives up then that is okay, just means in idle there is not enough power to hold you on the hill.

a quick way to test your car is to get on a flat surface keep your foot on brake then put the car in D let go of the brake and the car should move forward.

have a nice day

sv

[Arura]

even not so steep hills. It drives up okay when I give gas.

So the lack of power in idle to hold uphill without brake is okay?

Thanks in advance