advancig_blade,. .. .if you get the lever fully down in the auto and the needles still don't split that may be the problem and the reason why your instructor doesn't want to close the throttle. An R22 in autorotation, with two adult bods in the seats and half fuel or so, should have a rotor RPM of well over 104% (above green arc) with the lever fully down. Why? Well, imagine a smallish type flying solo, with only a few gallons left. Now he has an engine failure. How's he going to get adequate rotor RPM in the auto out of the same ship? The solution is simple, have your mechanic extend the pitch change links a turn each (IAW the maintenance manual of course).. .. .If you roll the throttle off completely (against the soft stop) you will notice how well you can tell rotor RPM by ear. You'll be able to keep your eyes outside far more, and this makes doing autos a lot easier.