Technical Judder when I take foot off the accelerater, what's going on?

[Flozzy15]

Hello!
I've had my Panda a couple of months and I noticed that when I take my foot off the accelerater and just roll along the car judders a bit and then seems ok. Over the months it hasn't got worse, but it hasn't fixed itself either!
Any ideas what it might be?

 

[portland_bill]

I'm guessing a 1.2 petrol.

Most cars when you let go of the throttle, will reduce the fuel input gradually to give a smooth drop. My Panda justs lets go. At slow speeds this tries to smack your face on the dash. To prevent stalling, the computer immediately pops a bit of fuel in, violently, then after another less violent drop, it settles and allows the car to creep nicely. There have been a few threads on here about this, but I've not seen any confirmation of a fault, or any cure. I think it is a "characteristic" which we have to live with. At very slow speeds, a bit of clutch control is useful to smooth it out, or becoming very gentle on the pedal. Keep practising, and enjoy the rest of the car.

 

[jrkitching]

Hello!
I've had my Panda a couple of months and I noticed that when I take my foot off the accelerater and just roll along the car judders a bit and then seems ok. Over the months it hasn't got worse, but it hasn't fixed itself either!
Any ideas what it might be?

Did you buy it new?

The latest cars are reported to be noticeably more affected by this.

My 2010 Euro4 1.2 behaves flawlessly in this regard.

 

[Flozzy15]

Thanks for the advice! It's a 07 plate so nowhere near new!
I have noticed if I have my foot down on the clutch before I come off the accelerater then it doesn't judder. I guess I'll stick with doing that!

 

[vixster]

I thought it was just me! My '06 1.2 does it. I usually use a bit of clutch. I have found it's most prominent when about half way to normal running temperature.

 

[matty23]

Hi,

Ours is the same, the jerking is quite abrupt when cold. I always try and drive in a higher than normal gear when the engine is cold - say 30mph in 5th. Also in a 20 mph area, stick it in 3rd or even 4th.

The engine might labour a little but upon releasing the throttle, you don't get jerked around as much.

I also agree that when the engine has warmed up completely, no jerkiness can be felt.

Matt.

 

[matty23]

Also, forgot to add - I drive a 1.2 petrol (Euro 4) with 60 bhp. The car currently has 16,000 miles on the clock. When I purchased the car in January it had 8,000 miles on the clock.

The car has a full (ex-motability) service history and there are no faults to record. FIAT have since health-checked the vehicle and states all is normal.

Matt.

 

[scarlettpixie]

I have been borrowing my mums 1.2 for the last 2 weeks and it does this too - glad its not just hers lol

 

[ronecc]

Anybody know if the same thing happens with the 1.3 multijet engine? I have just bought one for my wife (2010, 12k). On accelerating through the gears, you can feel the engine rock back and forth as you change gear, and when driving on light throttle in low gears the driver sits there like a nodding dog.
I have changed the short stabaliser bar under the engine, but that did not cure it. Before I spend another £60 on a top engine mount, I wondered whether it was just a natural thing. Can't say it is an enjoyable ride.

 

[kavil]

I am experiencing same with my 2009 Panda. I will try few thing and update my post in the future.