Auto Park Mode- how does it work???

[Auldgit]

Hi all, I park the XC70 on a steepish slope and put it into Park mode, handbrake on as well, then when I come to move off again I move to R or D as required, everything works ok, but I get a loudish clunk from the box as P disengages.

Thinking about this I realised that I don't really understand how the Park function works. Is it a mechanical lock (ie peg in hole or something) or something else?

Cheers AG

[V70Zig]

Sure I read somewhere it's "peg in a hole", but I might be wrong.......
When you come to a stop apply the handbrake first, then put into N and see if it moves. If it don't you know at least the handbrake is working, then put it into park.......see if the clunk disappears on the next startup.

So.....handbrake first....then park.....

[Auldgit]

Originally Posted by V70Zig

Sure I read somewhere it's "peg in a hole", but I might be wrong.......
When you come to a stop apply the handbrake first, then put into N and see if it moves. If it don't you know at least the handbrake is working, then put it into park.......see if the clunk disappears on the next startup.

So.....handbrake first....then park.....

Hi thanks for that, tried the handbrake-first approach, but not in N I must admit, always in D or R. Handbrake does work but it ain't brilliant. I'll try it next time. Cheers.

[stegreg]

if the vehicle is on a slope, you will get some "drive takeup" as everything takes up the slack, afterall there is "tolerance" in all items in the driveline, nothing is 100% tight, so some movement /clunk will occur. The park lock is a "finger pawl" which engages inside the box, so if there has been any "vehicle creep" it will be slightly under load when you initially start back up.

Obviously depending on how "loud" the clunk when drive is taken up, can also determine on how worn the drivetrain is/ or is not so to speak.

hope this helps.

[Auldgit]

Thanks- a "finger pawl" is presumably like the freewheel on a cycle hub? So if it is, as you say, under load due to the slope it will be more reluctant to disengage than if not. Interesting. I was a bit concerned that it might be a sign of excess wear but maybe not.

Cheers!

[barrybritcher]

does it only do this from cold start?

It will be the high revs upon cold start which gets the cat working faster (wait 1 min til it idles normally)

AND cold start = thick gearbox fluid

[Auldgit]

Hot or cold doesn't seem to affect it much. It seems to be the angle of the slope that is the main factor. Greater the slope, more reluctant it is to disengage. AG

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Auldgit

Hi all, I park the XC70 on a steepish slope and put it into Park mode, handbrake on as well, then when I come to move off again I move to R or D as required, everything works ok, but I get a loudish clunk from the box as P disengages.

Thinking about this I realised that I don't really understand how the Park function works. Is it a mechanical lock (ie peg in hole or something) or something else?

Cheers AG

yes exactly a peg in a hole type lock , you need to apply the handbrake properly first and let it take up the slack in the bushes etc , then put the lever in P , the chance of the peg not lining up with the hole is slim so you will be able it to release it when you go to D or R easily .. if by any chance the car moves , the peg will slot into the hole and lock the transmission as it is supposed to and secure the car .

[Auldgit]

Thanks Clan- Cheers AG