DSG GearBox Woes

[gerhard]

I can't believe the endless discussion and false assumptions about such a simple thing.

You will not hurt the DSG, the engine, the suspension, the ground under the car, the rear door locks, the aircon, the spark plugs, the battery, or any other part of the car by using the handbrake to prevent rollback on a hill.

FFS, VW engineered and programmed the DSG to behave this way - when in "drive" AND handbrake applied the clutch will take up. It will not fully engage, it will merely take up so you can drive away without rollback. IT WILL NOT HURT THE CAR, ITS BY DESIGN.

The DSG is not a torque converter auto box, so it will roll when the clutches are disengaged, except for the latest ones which have a hill holder function.

[Blackstorm]

You will not hurt the DSG, the engine, the suspension, the ground under the car, the rear door locks, the aircon, the spark plugs, the battery, or any other part of the car by using the handbrake to prevent rollback on a hill.

lol @ hurting the aircon, i think u missed the spare tyre

[Paul_OH]

FFS, VW engineered and programmed the DSG to behave this way - when in "drive" AND handbrake applied the clutch will take up. It will not fully engage, it will merely take up so you can drive away without rollback. IT WILL NOT HURT THE CAR, ITS BY DESIGN.

The only issue I see with this is if doing it prematurely and for long periods when waiting in traffic there could/would be some premature clutch wear, the same as riding the clutch in a manual.

There's many stop signs on hills in my area so my preferred method is wait with the brakes on and clutch disengaged. When preparing to move away, handbrake on, brakes off and move away, simple.
I also have the friction/balance point well sussed out so the car will hold position by easing off the foot brake until the car is held by a combination of gearbox/brakes. When time to go, foot off the brake and away you go.
Simple really but may just take some time to get used to.

As it's my first 2 pedal car (don't want to get in trouble for saying auto ) using the handbrake is 2nd nature.

[gerhard]

The only issue I see with this is if doing it prematurely and for long periods when waiting in traffic there could/would be some premature clutch wear, the same as riding the clutch in a manual.

There's many stop signs on hills in my area so my preferred method is wait with the brakes on and clutch disengaged. When preparing to move away, handbrake on, brakes off and move away, simple.
I also have the friction/balance point well sussed out so the car will hold position by easing off the foot brake until the car is held by a combination of gearbox/brakes. When time to go, foot off the brake and away you go.
Simple really but may just take some time to get used to.

As it's my first 2 pedal car (don't want to get in trouble for saying auto ) using the handbrake is 2nd nature.

Yes, what you are doing is indicative that you understand your machinery and are kind to it. Regardless of how tough something is, some people can shorten its design life dramatically whereas others can take a nearly stuffed thing and nurse it along for ages. I had to do that with my early cars, due to no money for decent ones, and nursing a knackered gearbox, clutch. engine was essential.

Clearly with the DSG you wouldn't leave it in drive with the handbrake on while watching a DVD - it's just as you say - when on hill, foot on brake, when ready to move, a simple application of the handbrake appropriate to the steepness of the hill, apply throttle and move away

[scotty1991]

Also the fact they are wet clutch will help reduce problems dry clutch manuals have.. just like on a motorbike.. you can slip a lot more

[cktsi]

use the handbrake

I can't believe the endless discussion and false assumptions about such a simple thing.

FFS, VW engineered and programmed the DSG to behave this way - when in "drive" AND handbrake applied the clutch will take up. It will not fully engage, it will merely take up so you can drive away without rollback. IT WILL NOT HURT THE CAR, ITS BY DESIGN.

Have to say that I agree with Gerhard & Maverick . But to take a more patient approach maybe these are people who have never driven a manual and only ever known auto gearboxes.

To enlighten those who have only driven autos, in a manual car the handbrake is applied on any incline to prevent rollback. The handbrake is released precisely when you find the friction point when releasing the clutch pedal. Friction point is when the clutch plates are engaged with enough pressure (but way less than 100%) to move the car but not enough to transfer 100% torque and stall the engine.

Similar principle for the DSG. The handbrake should be applied on an incline. When you feel the clutch engage you release immediately. If you are afraid of any wear, this technique will minimise it… though I tend to agree with that cars are designed for having the handbrake applied. The handbrake isn’t new technology.

So you need to realise that in a DSG equipped vehicle, you are driving a car with a clutch and that it is literally in neutral when the footbrake is fully applied.

[blutopless2]

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

ok... maybe i should have clarified this a little more...
I was not saying that you sit there for ten minutes with the handbrake on and your foot off the brake pedal...... to me that would be stupid.
when the lights change you can lift the handbrake, take your foot off the brakes and release the handbrake to let the car move forward. handbrake is engaged for less than 10 seconds.
as someone mentioned above.. its a similar technique for a manual start on a hill using the handbrake.

hope this clears up what i meant.

[Swallowtail]

Also the fact they are wet clutch will help reduce problems dry clutch manuals have.. just like on a motorbike.. you can slip a lot more

Not buying into the handbrake on / off issue, rolling up / down hills, into poles, or damaging spare tyres or door handles (mine has auto hold which is brilliant) but just to correct this post - not all the VW DSGs are "wet" clutch setups...

[scotty1991]

Yeah i know the new ones are dry clutch, the 7 speed in the golf, and maybe some other models.

[GeorgeG]

Some dubious driving skills, how hard is to drive a DSG smoothly? Apparently

quite difficult

[85turbo]

Some dubious driving skills, how hard is to drive a DSG smoothly? Apparently

quite difficult

not here,mine is smooth as, always is.

Jason

[craigy]

Mine DSG is brilliant just wish the electronics would let me left foot brake and apply throttle.

[Transporter]

Mine DSG is brilliant just wish the electronics would let me left foot brake and apply throttle.

Still not 100% but is improved in Golf6 7sp.DSG, at least what I feel.

[cktsi]

Some dubious driving skills, how hard is to drive a DSG smoothly? Apparently

quite difficult

I like to get on my high horse in defending the DSG




but I have a here that cuts through incorrect perceptions of the DSG... ... but the DSG is largely very smooth & easy to drive. I talk about when not to get a DSG.

Darn pooping high horse...