Gearbox software
 

Following on from the software updates thread. Has anyone complained to the dealer about how dimwhitted the gear box is on the s90/v90 and had any form of update?

I am using my v90 d5 more now and my journey has a lot of roundabouts which really highlights how cr8p the gearbox map is. Unless it's in dynamic it's constantly surprised I want to go faster when pressing the accelerator and no I'm not stomping on the power every time..

Surely Volvo can't just ignore a hugely publicised moan by all reviews and owners? I'm not shelling out God knows how much for polestar either unless they add give it a proper power bump.

Ta

To be honest I don't find the gearbox on my car any less dimwitted than my previous BMW 320d, also an 8 speed auto. Reviews rave about BMW's autos. I really don't find much difference between it and my V90.

Every automatic I've driven seems to be ill-prepared for a roundabout, but I guess that's the difference between a machine and a human, it reacts to me but I can see ahead.

Having an R-design helps as I can flick down a gear or two in prep using the paddles, I had to do the same on the BMW. Only difference being when it decided to wake up, drop a gear or two and apply some grunt the rear end would wiggle around, especially on wet roundabouts.

99% of the time I can't say the Volvo auto is any worse or better than the BMW was.

Coming from a 340i I'd disagree on the gearbox in my experience. Yes in comfort mode there was a bit of lag but nothing like this Volvo box.

Lag
 

I think it is so slow it is downright dangerous.

If I roll up to a roundabout and hit the accelerator it takes ages to deliver the actual power. The torque converter takes ages to wake up and then the gearbox decides to drop a cog or two and there is even more delay.

By this time my foot is on the floor and I launch into space.

The gearbox is one of the weakest parts of an otherwise good package.

It was a constant complaint for my AMG GLA 45 Mercedes, I was always resetting the learning part of the ECU.

So far on my XC60 T8 it has not changed the way it pulls from a standing start

I would email Volvo customer support and complain to them and you may get a discount on Polestar that's all I can say as just done that and had Polestar installed which does seem to help but it still does hesitate.

I believe it is mainly the D5, T8, T6 - the toutquier engines. The torque converter slows it down beyond certain point. To mitigate you need to figure out the max accelerator input you can give it without putting it into a torque control mode which will result in a lag. The trouble is it’s different at different speeds, but ultimately it will be lower input that will result in no lag and then you can build up torque progressively.
I agree it’s dangerous - beyond certain level the higher accelerator input will actually result in lower power delivery to the wheels and then it just takes off - it’s wrong. This should be easily software managed to give progressive result even if it’s a little slower but no lag. I believe d4 people with less torque suffer less and T5 is practically lag free in my experience.

Stick the T8 into Power drive mode at a junction and you'll get instance response and a good kick. The electric motor may only be ~80HP on the rear wheels but the torque and response gets the car going before the supercharged petrol engine responds and helps out.

In hybrid mode it can be a bit slower to get off the mark but I wonder how relatively this is in reality? Volvo produces quiet, refined cars, that tends to mean you don't get the engine and road noise indicating a fast gateway. I'm sure any of the models would beat most mass produced, lower powered cars off the mark in the 0-30 sprint

I have Polestar but haven't yet played with the car much. I was under the impression that Polestar only does it's stuff in Dynamic mode. Is that true.

I have also read that Polestar stiffens the air suspension, but can't find any reference to this in the Polestar booklet that came with it (just engine and gearbox map mentioned). Is that true?

Thanks

Can't say I've ever driven an auto that did what I wanted, at least the hybrid side of things smooths out the gear changes, not sure if its in my head but since the last software update it does feel better. Or I've got used to the way it changes and adapted my driving style.

My T8 does not lag in any mode and did not before Polestar.

The acceleration is linear to how hard I press on the accelerator, of course in sport mode it will accelerate quicker, it has not changed at all since new up to the 6k miles it has done now.

Lag is when you put your foot on the accelerator and there is a delay in the time before the car moves and the harder you press throttle the worse it is, then all of a sudden it twigs you want to move off quickly and flies off.

I agree it is dangerous, and as I said before on my AMG GLA 45 it was awful in normal mode, and put me in some close situations, if it was put in sport sport + and race mode it was a lot quicker, but ticked over quicker.

I am sure it varies from car model to model, as for XC60 T8 it changes many things in all modes, including the air suspension, personally I think it is worth the money if you intend to keep the car a while.

its the same gearbox - on more tourquey engines all cars have it.
Anyone who says they don’t probably just has smooth style of throttle application like I described. It’s not a turbo lag it’s a hesitation with engaging lower gear and power application.basically too much torque to handle and car throttles it very ungracefully.
It’s easy to bring up. Slow down into t junction or roundabout without fully stopping and floor it. You will have a momentary delay and then it will take off. I guarantee it comes up in every D5, t6 and t8 and people reported so much over the years.
Polestar doesn’t fix it. It’s just the way it works. The only way to remove it is to modulate throttle input and know the most you can get away with without causing it to do this.

I think you probably get the most benefits in Dynamic mode, but I also think it is beneficial in comfort mode as well.
I've had mine Polestar-ed for nearly a year now and have got used to all the benefits of Polestar, I guess! I would need to drive one without to notice the difference.
Can't say I've noticed any changes in the air suspension.

I seem to be one of a few people who's really happy with the autobox behavior :) I suppose varying your driving style messes up the "learning" - I have the car in "dynamic" literally all the time- and I have yet to experience the doom of hesitation..

+1, I totally agree!

I do not have any issues with the gearbox, does it job really well in all aspects of driving.

I'm very happy with the gearbox in our XC60 T5 as well. It did take me a little time to get used to it but I've not noticed any hesitation issues (always have it in dynamic). Not quite as slick as the box in our 530D but close.

I have a D4 and agree that the 'lag' is much less of an issue in Dynamic mode. But I would like the option of being able to utilise stop/start, and not have a clattery tickeover, i.e. use Comfort mode without the penalty of this behaviour.

Could you not set up an ‘Individual’ driving profile and select ‘dynamic’ for the engine etc but keep the stop/start? I’ve not really played about with it myself so apologies if I’ve got this wrong.

I agree keeping it in dynamic helps but then you get the higher tick over and clatter as mentioned plus it hangs on to gears too long alot of the time so you can't win! Start stop being off is a good thing mind..
I know no car is perfect and the V90s have a lot going for them but it's just such a shame Volvo didn't spend a bit more on gearbox software.

Exactly right.