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lightning

Member Since: 23 Apr 2009
Location: High Peak, Derbyshire
Posts: 3526

Lightning, do you know anyone local with a Puma you could drive and who you could let drive yours? Either your vehicle or technique is causing problems and that would be the easiest way to diagnose which.it is.[/quote]

l've driven about thirty altogether over the last three years, most are the same. That is, like mine, need concerted effort to drive smoothly.

A couple were much better, one with under 10,000 miles and another had 117,000 but had a new clutch and output shaft.

Which makes me think, it's possible to make it better.

I've changed the rear DM's and have a clutch switch on order. After that (if it's no better) l'll look at other options such as Alive.

3rd Oct 2025 6:34pm

Jerry

Member Since: 13 Nov 2015
Location: Cardiff
Posts: 217

2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 Adventure Phoenix Orange

My 2015 puma is very smooth - but I am pretty sympathetic and slow which suits me fine! (I also agree with posts elsewhere that it’s smoother changing at slightly higher revs so that it doesn’t labour in the next gear).

3rd Oct 2025 7:09pm

jst

Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 8484

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey

If your lifting rhe clutch and accelerating before the clutch is fully up your just slipping the clutch.

Or the clutch is engaged and the remaining pedal travel is just travel which would suggest switch. Cheers

James
110 2010 XS Utility
130 2011 M57 bespoke Camper
90 2010 Hardtop
90 M57 1988 Hardtop

3rd Oct 2025 10:04pm

lightning

Member Since: 23 Apr 2009
Location: High Peak, Derbyshire
Posts: 3526

l just drive normally, like l've always driven. l don't ride the clutch. Changing up through the gears l just balance the rpm and speed like everyone else.

l don't accelerate until the clutch is fully engaged.

3rd Oct 2025 10:51pm

blackwolf

Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 18037

2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey

Martin wrote:
Td5 and Puma ones operate in opposite manners. 2.2 Puma and 2.4 Puma are the same.

Oops, my bad. Sorry! I was sure that 2.4 and 2.2 were different.

3rd Oct 2025 11:26pm

lightning

Member Since: 23 Apr 2009
Location: High Peak, Derbyshire
Posts: 3526

Yes it caught me out when l had my Defender TD5

And will do the same with people who buy one of these switches on Ebay advertised as compatible with "TD5/Puma"

Fortunately l tested the switch before l fitted it, and realised the error.

3rd Oct 2025 11:53pm

jst

Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 8484

lightning wrote:
l just drive normally, like l've always driven. l don't ride the clutch. Changing up through the gears l just balance the rpm and speed like everyone else.

l don't accelerate until the clutch is fully engaged.

lightning wrote:

So if you approach a junction in third gear, you change down to second and feed the clutch back in as you accelerate, and it starts

I was trying to help picking up on your previous comments. You've driven over 30 of them, from which I get the impression you found most do it.

Blackwolf suggested either technique or vehicle problem.

I have suggested two areas to look at one of each.

From my experiwnce as an off road driving instr when you state you drive the same as everyone else I can assure you in the 15 + years I have been teaching there is no 'same as everyone else'

Try not acclerating until the clutch is up. Cheers

James
110 2010 XS Utility
130 2011 M57 bespoke Camper
90 2010 Hardtop
90 M57 1988 Hardtop

4th Oct 2025 9:41am

lightning

Member Since: 23 Apr 2009
Location: High Peak, Derbyshire
Posts: 3526

You mean no gas pedal at all until the clutch is up? l'll give it a try, although going uphill might be an issue keeping momentum.

What l normally do in this vehicle is clutch up and gas pedal down, balanced so the clutch doesn't slip as the power comes in.

4th Oct 2025 10:33am

JPE

Member Since: 19 Nov 2018
Location: South West England
Posts: 347

2013 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Firenze Red

Not accelerating until the clutch is up is I think sound advice.

That's certainly how I've learnt to drive mine.

4th Oct 2025 9:48pm

jst

Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 8484

No response from this then? Still does it driving as suggested? Cheers

James
110 2010 XS Utility
130 2011 M57 bespoke Camper
90 2010 Hardtop
90 M57 1988 Hardtop

24th Oct 2025 10:22pm

lightning

Member Since: 23 Apr 2009
Location: High Peak, Derbyshire
Posts: 3526

No, it's a lot better. l am getting used to it, definitely smoother making sure the clutch is fully up before getting on the gas.
And also off the gas before pressing the clutch pedal.

Today l did a lot of driving and only a couple of fluffed gear changes. l've also changed all the transmission oils which has made it better.

One example of gear changing that l have always got away with in modern vehicles, is l will turn right or left into a side road and change down to third or second gear, then bring the clutch up while pressing the gas pedal to accelerate away.

The Defender doesn't like this at all, so l've had to learn to stop doing it.

Also for the last three years l've been driving an automatic so had got used to not having to think about gear changes!

24th Oct 2025 11:12pm

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