DSG GearBox Woes

[Blackstorm]

Hi All,

Having a few issues with our new jetta of late. The main issue is that if we are on a hill trying to reverse the car will roll forward. To the point that my partner was reversing out of our driveway in drive! (Big Slope)

The same also happens when driving up a hill, it will roll backward until you give it some juice. I am assuming that this isn't right. Still have a statuatory warranty so I just want to find out if i should take it back to be looked at or if this is a normal act for DSG gearboxes?

Thanks in advance

Cheers

Steve

[gregozedobe]

I think that is how they were designed to work - as many of the DSG enthusiasts here like to point out, they are not a conventional auto with built-in creep, they are an automated manual, and as such the clutch won't take up until you give it the "go" signal by prressing on the accelerator pedal.

I have a vague idea there was a way to operate the controls to reduce the severity of the problem you are having, but being a manual-loving luddite I didn't take much notice at the time

[gerhard]

Perhaps you might consider using the handbrake.

With handbrake engaged, clutch is also engaged, and you don't roll.

[isaw]

you can lightly tap the brake, and gas to 'engage' the dsg so it wont roll back/forward just before you move.

it sounds like its behaving normally to me (as thats how mine works as well)

[craigy]

It's working correctly and it is best to use the handbrake like a manual, if you try to left foot brake and apply throttle you will be caught out as the computer does not allow throttle when the brake is applied.

[Maverick]

As the others pointed out it's normal operation and is covered in the manual.

Recent models have a hill hold assist that will prevent it from rolling back for a short period however drive it like a manual and use the handbrake and left foot braking.

[STV4SYT]

Or take it to a slope with no objects around a play with it a bit, i have found that it will roll forwards or back but never more than about a foot until the clutch kicks in. IT does take some time to build up trust, and if im doing a hill start in a confined place ill always use the handbrake.

[scotty1991]

What they said.. use the handbrake as if it was a manual

[blutopless2]

what i have found about the dsg.....
if you are on a slight incline and take your foot off the brake WITHOUT pressing the throttle it will roll back slightly and then the clutches disengage to propel the car forward at a slow pace... throttle application will then obviously speed you up.

if you use the handbrake this is what i have found....
apply handbrake, release brakes and you can feel the car trying to go forward... release handbrake and the car will move forward. i have found this method extremely useful when reversing up a hill.

i have noticed on mine that if you really ease off on the brakes from a standstill there is a point at which you are still held by the brakes but you can feel the car wanting to move off... but this has taken me a long time of playing around with to find the right spot, so that i can take off without the long lag when you just lift off the brakes and there is that little pause whilst the puter is working out what the hell you are doing and what its supposed to be doing....

man i wish it came in a manual.... grrrrrrrrrrrr

[Blackstorm]

Thanks guys for all of the responses. Well that makes me feel much better knowing that, as many of you said it is just learning the in's and outs. These cars are like nothing else. Sounds like i will just drive it like a manual

THanks heaps

[robbyx]

I don't agree with simply let the car hold in 'D' and with the handbrake on.

As soon as you take your foot off the brake, within a second or so, the clutch will engage 1st and you will put strain on the car.

You'll also notice the car will twist with the nose of the car rising as the front-wheel driven tyres try and grip and rotate, but obviously the handbrake is still engaged on the back wheels so the car doesn't move forward.

Two reasons I don't like this:

1) The way in which the car twists can't be good for the suspension as it's not the natural range of motion to which the suspension is designed to cater for.

2) With the car in D, engaged and stationary, you are placing the transmission under stress. This also means the engine is working to move the car, yet the car isn't moving, if you've stopped on an incline at a traffic light, you might chew through the fuel.

This is just my view, and I am an absolute NOOB when it comes to these things. so don't take the above as law.


Please correct me if I'm wrong.. willing to learn! =P

[scotty1991]

It would be the same as letting the clutch out on a manual with the handbrake on.. you do it on hills only, its better than rolling into ****.

[maca]

I don't agree with simply let the car hold in 'D' and with the handbrake on.

As soon as you take your foot off the brake, within a second or so, the clutch will engage 1st and you will put strain on the car.

You'll also notice the car will twist with the nose of the car rising as the front-wheel driven tyres try and grip and rotate, but obviously the handbrake is still engaged on the back wheels so the car doesn't move forward.

Two reasons I don't like this:

1) The way in which the car twists can't be good for the suspension as it's not the natural range of motion to which the suspension is designed to cater for.

2) With the car in D, engaged and stationary, you are placing the transmission under stress. This also means the engine is working to move the car, yet the car isn't moving, if you've stopped on an incline at a traffic light, you might chew through the fuel.

This is just my view, and I am an absolute NOOB when it comes to these things. so don't take the above as law.


Please correct me if I'm wrong.. willing to learn! =P

I've gotta agree with you robbyx. I tried using the handbrake a few days after I got the car and haven't done it since. As you've said, it feels as if it puts an unnatural strain on the car and surely it can't be doing any good for it.

As someone's already mentioned; go to a deserted hill and play around with it. Develop a technique that both suits you and you feel confident performing in traffic. Being the lazy manual driver I was in my Mk4, I don't use the handbrake on my DSG unless in a really tight situation when in reverse. If you accelerate as soon as you release the brakes in drive, the car will not roll back far enough for you to hit something (unless if you've parked up against something ).

[Blackstorm]

Hmm it is very strange, there must be a good reason for it but for my partner who has become used to standard auto transmissions, it is freeking her out as she is not used to how the car will react. Ill be taking it out for a bit of a play on the weekend to work out the ins and outs.

I just hope we work it out before the car ends up in a pole....

[Maverick]

I don't agree with simply let the car hold in 'D' and with the handbrake on.

As soon as you take your foot off the brake, within a second or so, the clutch will engage 1st and you will put strain on the car.

You'll also notice the car will twist with the nose of the car rising as the front-wheel driven tyres try and grip and rotate, but obviously the handbrake is still engaged on the back wheels so the car doesn't move forward.

The car doesn't twist. There is nothing wrong with putting the handbrake on and releasing the brake when you want to move off.

Two reasons I don't like this:

1) The way in which the car twists can't be good for the suspension as it's not the natural range of motion to which the suspension is designed to cater for.

What do you mean? The car isn't twisting and the suspension is designed for a wide range of circumstances. You're not damaging the suspension by loading up the transmission.

2) With the car in D, engaged and stationary, you are placing the transmission under stress. This also means the engine is working to move the car, yet the car isn't moving, if you've stopped on an incline at a traffic light, you might chew through the fuel.

How is the car chewing through the fuel? It's idling.

The DSG limits torque to protect itself.