Quirk Query

[bzerk86]

Hello All,

My First post here.

I have a Phase II Megane 2.0 liter expression auto, bought brand new.I love my car so much! I live in Adelaide Australia. My car now has around 5000 km (3100 miles) on the clock. I have only had one minor problem after delivery, a rattle in my "satalite" audio controller, fixed on first service.

I have one or two more questions.

Occasionally when pulling into a parking bay and I am "riding" the breaks at low speed, they can squeal, this happens in all weather conditions, should I be concerned?

The rain sensing wipers come on sometimes when starting the car, this can be stopped by either turing off the engine and starting again or by moving the wiper stalk to the off position, seems to happen when the sensitivity is set to the higher settings. This does not concern me to much as it happens rarely (2-3 times since I purchased).

The most concerning of all is my automatic transmission (pro-active), it seems to have a mind of its own, most of the time the operation does not bother me as the workings of the transmission are smooth. Usually the first few changes from first to second are very slow, this causes "shift shock" and can happen after starting when warm or cold. When accelerating heavily from a stand still, the car will hold first till 50km/h (31m/h) and sometimes cause a loud bang and a slight thud that can be felt in the cabin when changing to second (sort of like the sound when hitting a pothole).

Could this mean my trans is shot and on its way out? Or is the "pro-active" not used to heavy acceleration when I cruise all the time?

Thanks in advance!

[Gav]

Welcome!

The rain sensing wipers come on sometimes when starting the car, this can be stopped by either turing off the engine and starting again or by moving the wiper stalk to the off position, seems to happen when the sensitivity is set to the higher settings. This does not concern me to much as it happens rarely (2-3 times since I purchased).

I've had this a few times, only twice has it been annoying - ie when there's light rain and the wipers are either off or on. If it started always doing it I'd be annoyed.

[europa]

Gudday Bzerk86, I'm from Adelaide as well, I have a Phase I Megane manual.

I've not had the problem with the wipers, I do have squealy brakes (seem to get worse as they get warmer, but not too bad).

Don't have the auto, but my folks have an auto Kangoo van with proactive transmission.

These transmissions do work a lot different to the "traditional" manuals, in that they are quite keen to change gears and do also seem to "change their mind" about your driving style. You could get it checked by Renault, but the description you provide does seem to be "normal behaviour" as far as I'm aware.

Anyway, good luck, might see you on the road sometime

[Jonault]

Some people change their brake pads for ones called 'Green Stuff' to reduce the squeal. I think noisy brakes are quite common and a search on this site should turn up quite a few threads on the subject.
As for the bang/thud from the transmission, maybe one of the engine mounts or transmission mounts is crocked. Once again, this in a common problem.