DSG happy stories

[cmeller]

So I'm still thinking about getting an extended warrenty on my new JSW TDI because I hear all the horror stories about the DSG transmission having problems (plus other electronical problems).

I know people tend to post complaints and problems so I was hoping others who have put some decent miles on there TDI or DSG can share their stories.

I plan on getting my 40K service down everytime, so hopefully, I won't have any issues. I bought this car for the mileage and cargo space so hopefully it lasts a very long time.

 

[RV8 Mike]

I have a cousin who owned his own automatic transmission shop for years, and he told me the best way to preserve your transmission is the change the oil every 20k miles. Now, I realize this DSG is a much different animal than the standard transmissions, but what could it hurt, other than my pocket book? I'd rather pay the bucks to have it changed every couple of years than have the transmisson go TU on me. I tend to keep my cars a long time. That's ONE thing nice about my wife's Prius - there is no transmission oil to change (just those pricey batteries...).

 

[HEV]

I'm about to leave for a weekend getaway to San Francisco. I'm sure I'll be singing the praises of the DSG when I get back. I'll let you know I do recall having a soar left leg last time I drove a manual in the City.

I've discovered that in order to appreciate the DSG, you have to embrace the idea that it is an automated manual, and it behaves like one. That is, there is no torque multiplication like a conventional slushbox auto, you can actually feel the twin clutches engaging on takeoff from a standstill, etc. Many people have a hard time getting used to the off-the-line delay, but if you imagine yourself releasing a clutch and applying the throttle during this time you'll understand the car is doing the same thing, just internally.

 

[6910sb]

Many people have a hard time getting used to the off-the-line delay, but if you imagine yourself releasing a clutch and applying the throttle during this time you'll understand the car is doing the same thing, just internally.

Interesting way of looking at it. Thanks.

 

[k1xv]

Absolutely. The DSG is a "dual manual" automated gearbox with clutches. So I expect it to behave like a manual, and apply throttle from a stop accordingly.

I am happy I selected the DSG.

 

[Massracin]

Happy DSG owner here! No problems and it's a fun drive in sport mode :^)

 

[HEV]

Okay. I'm in san Fran right now and the DSG is awesome. The hill assist works great and I love using the DSG in Tiptronic mode here. My wife, however doesn't like the way I drive in thi mode. She'll just have to get used to it.

 

[itchytweed]

Driving my new one around here in SE Wisconsin in the hilly areas, where I live, I am finding that the shift points in D are a little too aggressive and the engine tends to lug a bit (flatlanders program). So, the tiptronic feature takes care of that minor "issue".

Plus, I have started its "training" on shifting higher and the hills are a help in that aspect. We shall see how well the training goes.

Yes, I realize that there is more costly maintenance to do with it but that does not really scare me at all and I will be doing that work as well as oil changes, etc.

It is a sweet piece of work.

 

[miork]

Love my '09 DSG. Very very rarely do I get a jump, for the most part its smooth as silk. Sport is obviously more aggressive, but a kick to drive. To be honest, I had driven an old manual gasser before I got the TDI, and I opted for the DSG only because I wanted to make sure my wife could drive it (shes not so interested in learning manual heh), and im glad I did.

I've had a couple valets comment on it as well, apparently they had never driven anything like it and were taken off guard on the cool little things it does (like stay in a lower gear coasting down an incline).

 

[psyphy]

I have a 2010 JSW, had it 1 month & I've taken 2 road trips. The DSG takes getting used to on the city as others have indicated but I have a light foot & I usually keep it in D. On the highway, I dropped down to 5th for hills, mostly because I'm still in break-in mode & didn't want to run it at the same RPM, but it felt more energetic in 5th. The main issue, with Pittsburgh being hilly is that the DSG wants it to be in 4th going 30 mph, but if you're going up a hill, it's much more responsive in 3rd, or I suppose I could drop into sports mode. Overall, I'm happy & even though I had tiptronic with my past car (MB) I never used it--I enjoy taking a little control of the experience.

 

[frugality]

That's ONE thing nice about my wife's Prius - there is no transmission oil to change (just those pricey batteries...).

And how many times have you (or any other Prius owner) had to change the batteries?

 

[RocketTDI]

2009 JSW with 11000 miles. We love the DSG. No problems at all. Nothing but fun.

 

[RV8 Mike]

And how many times have you (or any other Prius owner) had to change the batteries?

After 100,000 miles and five years, not once so far. According to Toyota, it should go another 100,000+ miles or so.

 

[itchytweed]

A followup...

The training of the transmission in "D" is proceeding just fine. It is taking a bit of work out of the gas pedal (good, controlled squeezing) but the upshift points are moving up. There is nothing wrong with driving it like I stole it, which to me seems like the wrong phrase to use, since I would think that drawing attention is NOT what you would want to do...

I have though been drawing my share of rubberneckers pulling up next to me and giving the car the eye. Well, when they have been there too long or just acting stupid, hit the pedal, engine and trans do what they should and my happy diesel JSW leaves then sitting.

 

[Elfnmagik]

The main issue, with Pittsburgh being hilly is that the DSG wants it to be in 4th going 30 mph, but if you're going up a hill, it's much more responsive in 3rd, or I suppose I could drop into sports mode.

Use these opportunities. When beginning the climb and the DSG wants to hold the higher gear and lug, force a downshift then try and maintain pedal input just enough to hold that gear for a while. Without getting a ticket of course.

 

[itchytweed]

Use these opportunities. When beginning the climb and the DSG wants to hold the higher gear and lug, force a downshift then try and maintain pedal input just enough to hold that gear for a while. Without getting a ticket of course.

I have been seeing if I can get the DSG to respond to a pulse of the go pedal to do a downshift when the engine is down in speed and a downshift is appropriate. This is done without hitting the downshift switch. I have used this on the Jeep and the Saturn reliably and I am seeing that the Jetta is starting to respond to this training.

What I do is, especially on a climb (more hill than flat here), is to spike the go pedal and return it a bit farther down than where I started. The trans is finally getting the clue to drop down. Sometimes it holds and other times it reverts back to the higher gear. When that happens, then I put it in tip and drop it one and go from there.

 

[chemeng1661]

Absolutely. The DSG is a "dual manual" automated gearbox with clutches. So I expect it to behave like a manual, and apply throttle from a stop accordingly.

I am happy I selected the DSG.

I love the DSG.

I too often get annoyed by those (especially automotive reviewers) who do not understand (or believe that it is an automatic) and therefore assign a negative rating to the wonder piece of engineering.

It is not an automatic!

 

[saizzz]

+2 for happy DSG owners. The gearbox on our 2010 is very smooth. I drive on hills every day during my commute and typically drop into sport mode for engine brake downhill and to avoid lugging uphill.

 

[jbright]

Love the DSG, and no problems after 19k. Good to hear some positive things for a change. I had the flash done a few weeks ago but don't really notice any change (it ran fine before). I'm getting really good mileage with this transmission, even in the city.

 

[Influx]

Glad to add another (newbie) post on being happy with DSG -

My '10 JSW is I think my 7th vehicle (with 4 wheels) but my 1st that isn't a manual. Shifts are the smooth and solid; seems to often shift like I would've in the same situation.

I decided to try out the DSG based on what I've heard about it. In 'D' there is a slight lag at start if I am light on the pedal taking off, but it seems like there isn't any lag to speak of in 'S' mode, so I just shift over to sport mode for those times when the lag could be annoying, easy enough. Triptronic is handy and smooth too, and nice to have for break in time (just have 1200 mi. on mine so far).

It is true that it's not like your usual automatic, heh, I'm glad it's not.
Everybody has their preferences, I usually prefer manual, but glad I decided to take a chance on DSG.