P38A Sport mode

Is there a way to get it to Default to this when you start the car? I know on other makes you often buy something or mod a few wires to do similar things.

Nothing in nanocom. It's a soft switch so you'd need a custom setup to make/break the connection for you once the engine is running but this would also select manual if you start up in low box.
Just press the button if you really want to burn more fuel

Can't you just flick it when you release the handbrake ?

pwood999 said:

Can't you just flick it when you release the handbrake ?

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Unless parked on a steep incline, you don't normally need the handbrake with an automatic parked on level ground. Also, while it's only a button push.... it'd be nice for to just be in the right mode straight off.

kermit_rr said:

Nothing in nanocom. It's a soft switch so you'd need a custom setup to make/break the connection for you once the engine is running but this would also select manual if you start up in low box.
Just press the button if you really want to burn more fuel

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Thanks. As for more fuel, not convinced. Have read other people and other vehicles getting better mpg in sport mode. As it doesn't labour the engine as much and needs less throttle input to get the gearbox to react. Either way, it drives nicer in sport mode. Good mpg is mostly cruising, which will be pretty much the same in Sport or normal.

mine seems to hunt gears a bit when pressing on, not sure why but probably old age.. changes 3rd to 4th, decides it doesnt like it and back to 3rd all with in a second or so
you could be right though, if it were manual, you'd keep the rpm higher while moving through the gears
take the point on hand brake, but releasing the hand brake also resets the height if you selected access previously

Something like this then: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/272571078907

Program it to do the button contact after starting.

Just my personal opinion but don't like messing with the RR electrics to much. Its temperamental enough as it is

Looking at RAVE it seems the Economy-Sport-Manual mode info goes from the H-Gate electronics to gearbox ECU & BECM using two V-batt-2V lines. Maybe you could override these ? Read RAVE description & diagrams multiple times, and then decide what to do !!

Personally I always use the handbrake, and manually select sport mode when I want it.

300bhp/ton said:

Unless parked on a steep incline, you don't normally need the handbrake with an automatic parked on level ground. Also, while it's only a button push.... it'd be nice for to just be in the right mode straight off.

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Never a good idea IMO to rely on the little parking pawl to hold 2.25 tonnes even on the flat if the wind springs up.

Datatek said:

Never a good idea IMO to rely on the little parking pawl to hold 2.25 tonnes even on the flat if the wind springs up.

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yes it is, I said it was on the level..... I could leave it in neutral and still not need the handbrake

Datatek said:

Never a good idea IMO to rely on the little parking pawl to hold 2.25 tonnes even on the flat if the wind springs up.

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Curious, considering probably 99.8% of all automatics the world over are used like this. Do you have examples of failures or issues because of it? As said, I use the handbrake when the ground isn't level. But I've personally never ever heard a real world story of using only Park to cause a problem. And we've probably had 50-70 automatics over the years.

99.8% of drivers with automatic cars are bone idle? Seems like a high figure.

300bhp/ton said:

Curious, considering probably 99.8% of all automatics the world over are used like this. Do you have examples of failures or issues because of it? As said, I use the handbrake when the ground isn't level. But I've personally never ever heard a real world story of using only Park to cause a problem. And we've probably had 50-70 automatics over the years.

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Too much trouble to bother to use the handbrake I suppose and yes I have had the parking pawl fail on Citroen

Datatek said:

Too much trouble to bother to use the handbrake I suppose and yes I have had the parking pawl fail on Citroen

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Notorious for umberella type to fail..my Nissan pick-up handbrake used to fly off when you shut the door had to file deeper groves in the shaft...

Probably like other mature types in the group, I have found out the hard way that classic cars, motorcycles and horses all need a cockpit check of some sort to make sure all is in order before setting off, and ditto before disembarking / dismounting...
A habit that is hard to shake off, particularly when retirement gives one the time to do things in a full and proper manner.

P38 Monkey said:

Probably like other mature types in the group, I have found out the hard way that classic cars, motorcycles and horses all need a cockpit check of some sort to make sure all is in order before setting off, and ditto before disembarking / dismounting...
A habit that is hard to shake off, particularly when retirement gives one the time to do things in a full and proper manner.

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As well as a pre-flight fluids check.

Western Slope Rover said:

As well as a pre-flight fluids check.

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Pré pants check !!

On a long journey, when stopping for fuel, a quick walk round the P38 and touch the wheels to check for over-heating brakes.

P38 Monkey said:

On a long journey, when stopping for fuel, a quick walk round the P38 and touch the wheels to check for over-heating brakes.

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That's worth doing on any car.