Engine Braking: We cool with that?

[VeeDubTDI]

Originally Posted by MaynardLD50

Answer to the thread: No, No we are not cool with that. Buy brake pads, not transmissions.

Speak for yourself. As I already explained, the DSG has wet clutches, rev matches and downshifts itself automatically anyway (no extra shift cycles added by downshifting in tip mode).

[MaynardLD50]

Originally Posted by Niner

And rotors... don't forget them either, when you do brake pads. Is this your first Volkswagen?

Yes I'm learning as fast as I can

[Niner]

Originally Posted by MaynardLD50

Yes I'm learning as fast as I can

It's not as bad as it seems, unless you are a bad driver. I've gotten 130k miles out of a set of brake pads on my TDI. Conservative use of brakes leads to conservative repair bills, Liberal use of brakes leads to liberal repair bills. It's really that simple. Conserve your transmission and brakes if you don't like big expensive repair bills. Drive your car nicely, not abusively.

[Matt-98AHU]

Originally Posted by VeeDubTDI

Speak for yourself. As I already explained, the DSG has wet clutches, rev matches and downshifts itself automatically anyway (no extra shift cycles added by downshifting in tip mode).

Quoted for extra emphasis.

How many people actually grasp the concept of REV-MATCHING anyway?

When a DSG downshifts, the moment the clutches are disengaged, the engine computer tells the injectors to fire more fuel, automatically raising the engine RPMs higher to the exact point required for the next lowest gear that you've just selected, then it engages the next clutch for said selected gear. The amount of slipping the clutch is negligible.

I do this manually with my own MANUAL transmission cars when downshifting. The moment I press in the clutch, I blip the throttle pedal with my right foot, raising the engine RPMs to the approximate point they need to be at for the gear I'm selecting, then release the clutch in one quick, smooth motion. If you get the engine RPMs just right, you can release the clutch completely and instantly with no slipping and it will be absolutely smooth. No jerking.

The DSG is simply doing this for you. It's more noticeable on gas cars with a loud exhaust, you can actually HEAR the engine revving up for that split second as it shifts. This is how it can perform the downshifts so incredibly fast all while being perfectly smooth. It doesn't make the clutches bring the engine up to RPM, it has the engine bring the RPMs up itself, then VERY QUICKLY engages the clutch.

[tdi90hp]

DSGs scare me....baby these babies are gonna cost some serious bread when they puke....brakes are cheaper....but each driver has his own set of circumstances...i serviced golf yesterday....45,000kms...6 speed.....checked the brakes...over 90% on fronts and close to 90 on rears....it's how you drive and look ahead in traffic that counts more....

[CalibreTDI]

The engine breaking on my 2012 Passat seems excessive (lack of a better word). At lower speeds when coasting to a stop the lower gears seem to engage somewhat prematurely. I'm not a mechanic so I just base my observations on that - my observations. I think from a safety perspective this is great - maybe it's just something you have to get used to. However, on the way up, from 1 to 6, the car shifts like a boss. Last time I drove an automatic was back in the early 90s, some topaz or tempo. :-) Man, these new auto trannys sure came a long way.
My wife drives the passat, I drive a manual jetta. The passat is a car and a half, much more comfortable but the downshifting is definietely something I have to get used to.

Calibre

[VeeDubTDI]

It's necessary for the trans to downshift in order to keep a gear engaged while you're slowing down. If it just went into neutral, you'd have a delay as it selected the correct gear and re-engaged should you decide to accelerate again - then people would complain about it "hunting" or being sluggish.