I realize this may be a nit to pick...but, is there any programming in the tranny ECU that can be done to set the default ratio for starting from a stop to the first gear rather than starting in second?

I've been manually selecting first at stop lights; with the 2.0T engine, it just seems to have a smoother take off in first from 0 than starting off in 2nd.

Of course, that means the first shift up as you accelerate has to be with the flappy paddle, then hold the paddle in to put back into auto, but, like remembering to press the ECO off button on the later versions, thinking that tailoring the conditions like this to the owner's preferences should be something JLR should have thought about.

Thoughts? Or has anyone investigated this?

 

Starting from 1st gear as I remember only in manual or Sport mode

 

There possible to disable ECO mode and retune to EURO 2 via OBD

 

If you accelerate hard when you pull away, does the gearbox system learn your driving style and automatically start in first gear? Or is it always in second? It somewhat seems to defeat the point of an 8spd box if only seven of the gears are ever used...

 

In "normal" mode the gearbox starting from 2nd gear, in "sport mode" from 1st gear. In manual selection possible to downshift to 1st gear on both sport and normal mode.

 

If you starting hard the gearbox learning and change algorithm

 

Bryan,
What I do is... when stopped at a light.
Paddle shift down to 1st gear, select neutral, then back to D.
My 2011 6speed will then start in 1st and auto shift up.

 

How long will that sequence keep the transmission doing that?

 

Seems to me that there should be some way of programming 1st as the default from-full-stop gear. Having to go thru all sorts of gyrations to do so (and Panels, I tried your sequence and it did work nicely) just (like not being able to set the default eco mode to off) grates on me a bit. Doesn't decrease the pleasure of owning one of these fine autos, just a nit that needs scratching...

 

Unfortunately, only once, I have to do it each stop I have found...

 

I also find it interesting that "winter mode" states the car will then start off in second gear. Well, it does all the time, DRAT.
I'm with you boiler "there should be some way of programming 1st as the default from-full-stop"

 

You can get rid of the ECO stuff real easy. Unhook the second little battery in the trunk.
.
.
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Yeah, that's cumbersome

 

Unfortunately, my 2011 6 speed will NOT do this little trick. You can go to "S" and paddle shift to "1", but then the selector will not move left past "D" for several seconds before going to "N". I believe this is part of the change when the factory reflashed all 385hp cars in that model year to remove shift paddle functionality in "D".

 

WOW, I am just the opposite! My car always starts off in 1st gear in normal mode. It is so forceful that I keep it in "Snow Mode" so it will start off in 2nd gear. First gear just about breaks my neck on acceleration from a stop!