DSG shift points making me a little crazy.

[meowguy]

I guess I just don't get it. Don't get me wrong, I love the DSG trani, but it does make me a little nuts because I just don't get how and when it decides to shift.

At highway speeds, I leave it in D and I seem to be able to kick it down ok when I want to pass someone. Getting out onto the highway and after paying tolls it accelerates ok shifting at around 2k rpms. At these speeds I don't feel the engine lugging.

But in city stop and go D is a total waste. It constantly lugs down and if I kick it down, I will plow into the car in front of me. In city driving I have been using "S" and the TDI seems a lot happier running at 2500 to 3000 at speeds less than 40 mph.

I do use manual mode but I constantly forget to shift back after stopping. When the revs get up to 3000 I remember and shift back into D.

Is this the typical experience?

 

[thebigarniedog]

I guess I just don't get it. Don't get me wrong, I love the DSG trani, but it does make me a little nuts because I just don't get how and when it decides to shift.

At highway speeds, I leave it in D and I seem to be able to kick it down ok when I want to pass someone. Getting out onto the highway and after paying tolls it accelerates ok shifting at around 2k rpms. At these speeds I don't feel the engine lugging.

But in city stop and go D is a total waste. It constantly lugs down and if I kick it down, I will plow into the car in front of me. In city driving I have been using "S" and the TDI seems a lot happier running at 2500 to 3000 at speeds less than 40 mph.

I do use manual mode but I constantly forget to shift back after stopping. When the revs get up to 3000 I remember and shift back into D.

Is this the typical experience?

A well respected Guru on this sight compared the DSG wonder tranny to a teenage girl learning to drive stick. Sounds like you agree with him. We call it manual transmission regret. Thats okay, it's a nice car even with dsg. Welcome to the tdiclub.

 

[GoFaster]

The settings in "D" are optimized for low fuel consumption. For that, you want to shift very early. And my dad's 2006 TDI DSG is the same way ... and I do the same thing, accelerate in "S", shift to "D" at cruising speed.

 

[meowguy]

To carry your theme a little further...I feel as though I am the teenage girl learning to drive stick on a car that doesn't know what it is.

But I do agree, it is a very cool little car.

 

[yatzee]

I found that it took my several different times out with my father's 09 to get a smooth shifting experience. The Sport mode was a little sudden, but worked well on a quick country mode. D worked well for loathing around.

 

[ruking]

I guess I just don't get it. Don't get me wrong, I love the DSG trani, but it does make me a little nuts because I just don't get how and when it decides to shift.

At highway speeds, I leave it in D and I seem to be able to kick it down ok when I want to pass someone. Getting out onto the highway and after paying tolls it accelerates ok shifting at around 2k rpms. At these speeds I don't feel the engine lugging.

But in city stop and go D is a total waste. It constantly lugs down and if I kick it down, I will plow into the car in front of me. In city driving I have been using "S" and the TDI seems a lot happier running at 2500 to 3000 at speeds less than 40 mph.

I do use manual mode but I constantly forget to shift back after stopping. When the revs get up to 3000 I remember and shift back into D.

Is this the typical experience?

I would say yes. The DSG computer (given your drive by wire input pedal position) is really calling the shots. It is best to let it do its thing in D/S (especially in city traffic).

As you probably know, S lets the engine wind out or up more in the gears before shifting. I really do not know the rpm differences.

I personally just leave it in D, unless I am ok with the inevitable loss of fuel mileage by using:

1. heavier foot in D
2. S with heavy foot
3. sequential shifting.
3b. skip shifting

While you can pretty much micro dial it in or out..., ... too much work already.

 

[DoctorDawg]

At speeds less than or equal to about 45 MPH on surface streets I use Tiptronic mode to avoid lugging. Like you, I often forget to downshift while in Tip...a problem I would never have with a 'real' manual. Anyway, I have learned to just flip back into D while slowing down, and let the DSG handle the downshifts itself, then flip back into Tip while speeding up again so that I can call the upshifts where I want them. This becomes very intuitive and quite satisfying pretty quickly; try it!

Anyway the good news is that in Tip mode the DSG won't let you stall the engine if you forget to downshift, so no harm done.

 

[MPLSTDI]

I use D all the time, but when I am stuck in stop and go traffic I use the Tiptronic mode. Even 'S' guesses wrong half the time. I have also found that after 74K, I know when and what it's going to try to do and adjust my foot to give the computer an idea of whats ahead on the road.

My main reason for using TIP in traffic is to avoid the extra wear when going slow in 2nd. (The computer "slips" the clutch when going too slow but not coming to a complete stop)

 

[ruking]

I use D all the time, but when I am stuck in stop and go traffic I use the Tiptronic mode. Even 'S' guesses wrong half the time. I have also found that after 74K, I know when and what it's going to try to do and adjust my foot to give the computer an idea of whats ahead on the road.

My main reason for using TIP in traffic is to avoid the extra wear when going slow in 2nd. (The computer "slips" the clutch when going too slow but not coming to a complete stop)

A couple of observations:

1. I would think the "...even guesses wrong half the time"... is even better than expected, in that the DSG computer was not made to try to guess one is thinking. It was more probably set up to go through sequences based on ones settings and then input (given those settings) and changes, should one make them. One can "override" and vary them.

Three examples are: one approach the EXACT same conditions in

1 D drive
2 S super
3. sequential shift gate/mode (whatever gear selection) .

However, I think the cummulative effects are settings, overrides, changes variations, contribute to LESS mpg.

2. As for the main reason, (probable increased wear) I really do not have a reality on this, as NO wear or fault data is currently being tracked given the variables that you mentioned, (that I know of or more importantly on this web site anyway, UOA's, failure, etc. ) So problem trends should surface @ 100,000, 200,000 300,000, etc.

 

[meowguy]

At speeds less than or equal to about 45 MPH on surface streets I use Tiptronic mode to avoid lugging. Like you, I often forget to downshift while in Tip...a problem I would never have with a 'real' manual. Anyway, I have learned to just flip back into D while slowing down, and let the DSG handle the downshifts itself, then flip back into Tip while speeding up again so that I can call the upshifts where I want them. This becomes very intuitive and quite satisfying pretty quickly; try it!

Good advice Dawg. I am very happy with the DSG and enjoy shifting it and keeping the revs happy. Sort of like an old wool shift. Once you get used to the itch it's really warm.

 

[UtahTDIguy]

Hi,
I have noticed the same thing with my DSG, but today I got an opportunity to step on it a bit while accelerating from a traffic meter onramp. I was expecting it to shift rough, but was pleasantly surprised to find a nearly seamless, smooth flow of power all the way to freeway speeds....
Who knew...
I like the options, there were a few times with my old manual that traffic was particularly horrific and I didn't know if my leg was going to make it home...those days make me appreciate the DSG...

 

[Elfnmagik]

Like you, I often forget to downshift while in Tip...a problem I would never have with a 'real' manual.

You do realize that it downshifts automatically in all three modes?

 

[meowguy]

You do realize that it downshifts automatically in all three modes?

It does downshift very nicely as you say in all three modes. The problem I personally have is I forget that I have to do the shifting UP if I came to a stop while in Tip mode.

One would chaulk that up to "driver error" of course. Nothing wrong with the DSG, it is doing what it is supposed to do.

One thing I love to do with the DSG is when I am in cruise at 65 in D, I will kick over to Tip mode and downshift to 5 to bring the RPMs up when going up a long hill. When I do that, I keep my hand on the knob as a reminder to kick back on the downside. It takes some of the boredom out of the 90 mile trip every day.

 

[Elfnmagik]

Remember also that it will upshift automatically at redline just in case you forget.

 

[meowguy]

Remember also that it will upshift automatically at redline just in case you forget

If I ever get to "redline" it will be because I had a massive stroke and I have collapsed on the steering wheel and my right leg has gone rigor on the accelerator pedal.

To my thinking one of the very best features of the DSG is the downshifting it does automatically. It really makes entering the toll booths a breeze and is very easy on the the brakes. Though my father always told me that brakes are a lot cheaper to repair than transmissions.

 

[Elfnmagik]

You really should let it see red once in while though.

 

[6910sb]

Remember also that it will upshift automatically at redline just in case you forget.

Here's a twist on that.

I can't seem to take mine to redline. The break in procedure here at TDIclub says to occasionally use the entire powerband after 1000 miles. Mine shifts prior to 4500 in all modes.

Thoughts?

Also, I noticed a switch of some sorts under the pedal. Once it's floored, there's about an inch more travel?

 

[Elfnmagik]

In 'Tip' it should go to, or pretty much to the redline, then shift. I'm pretty sure that extra inch or so would be to initiate the full bore 'kick-down' which should take you to redline. And I discovered yesteyday that in 'Tip' cruising along if you push the pedal all the way it will 'kick-down'. You must go all the way or it will just accelerate in the gear it is currently running in.

 

[6910sb]

In 'Tip' it should go to, or pretty much to the redline, then shift. I'm pretty sure that extra inch or so would be to initiate the full bore 'kick-down' which should take you to redline. And I discovered yesteyday that in 'Tip' cruising along if you push the pedal all the way it will 'kick-down'. You must go all the way or it will just accelerate in the gear it is currently running in.

Good stuff. Have you gone to red in your Jetta? If mine won't, should I ask a tech/guru to have a looksie?

 

[Elfnmagik]

Are you kidding?

 

[macbarr]

dsg lugging in the city

I am having similar experiences and kinda bummed about it. I bought the DSG b/c I live in the city and I didn't want to deal with a clutch in stop and go traffic. The problem is (as noted in this thread) that at low speeds the transmission really lugs and I don't feel like the engine is getting enough power ( my RPMs are sometimes just over 1000). Recently, I was thinking something was wrong with my DSG because of this.

But I guess this is normal and I should just let the DSG do its thing???

I have yet to read all of the break-in material posted around here because the concept of driving a car a particular way to properly break it seems sorta weird to me. The best way to break in a pair of new boots is to just wear them. I am thinking the best way to "break in" a car is to just f-ing drive it.

 

[meowguy]

Your happiness will lie in keeping the DSG in "S" in city driving. The revs will stay up and downshifts will help with braking. Once on the highway just move up to "D".

After a while, if your experience is like mine, it becomes second nature and an enjoyable way to operate a car.

 

[Elfnmagik]

Consider 'Tip' too, 'cause sometimes you don't need to be hovering down the road stuck at 3K rpm.

 

[CmdrData]

A good old fashion 6 spd manual will take out any of these guess work out of your tranny, but that's just me. =\

 

[Elfnmagik]

'Tip'

 

[hammersc]

Good stuff. Have you gone to red in your Jetta? If mine won't, should I ask a tech/guru to have a looksie?

Did you just say, "...have a looksie?"