DSG Updates-hate my latest one

[rory]

Recently had my my 2009 Jetta 1.6 litre TDI in to replace a windscreen washer part and was told they had a free under warranty DSG update to put in requiring some 2 to 2 1/2 hrs. I thought fine.
My wife drove it to visit her sister cross country about 2.5 hours away last weekend, as she often does and I found that instead of her usual averaging of 4.9-5.1 litres she averaged 6.1 . She said she hadn't been in any unusual hurry where she was pushing it hard and braking into the bends.
I then found that on my regular 20 minute drive to town, I'm also averaging 6.1 instead of 5.1 and that the revs are much higher before changes. On this drive the gears were dropping down to an occassional 4th instead of the occasional 5th
Obviously the result of my update.
One of the main attractions of my 1.6 diesel is its frugality which now seems lost. Its as if its been recalibrated so "D" is now somewhere between the old "D" and "S". I'm going to call my VW workshop to see if they can "undo" it.
I certainly don't like the update "improvement" . Anyone know if they are "compulsory" as if to keep your warranties going , or are mandatory? Can they be undone?

[vdubmotorworx]

a free dsg update that takes 2.5 hrs?? strange... any update only takes 30mins to 1hr if that... was it a service campaign? if so what number / code was it? should have it on a invoice even if u didnt have to pay for it... .VDUB.

[rory]

The young girl at the service department check in said about 2.5 hours. I left it there for the day and picked it up; so how long it actually took???
Got a invoice which says
"Reprogramming of gearbox control unit DQ200, basic settings
criterion 1 0.5
criterion 2 0.7
VW000010006 RECALL CODE LABEL

Is it possible that human error could have affected the update? Or is it just like an update on my home PC. One way or no way?
Appreciate your opinions vdubmotorworx

[vdubmotorworx]

no human error. like u said.. your cars a massive PC.. it either goes in and takes effect or fails but if it failed you wont be driving your car now. its possible that sonetimes after a update the car takes a while to learn its settings again. you should have a campaign sticker now fitted to your car. either on the drivers door hinge area or in the boot under the mat. whats the code on the sticker? VDUB

[vdubmotorworx]

the code label should say 37G7. crit 1 is for the gearbox update for the mechatronics and on the rare occasion you also do crit 2. which is a software update of the engine. .. yours must have been flagged for both or they would have usually just done the gear box update... keep driving it for a few weeks and monitor the fuel consumption. it may change in time.. if not pop back and let them know to see if they can do anything. it may be that the update has had to increase fuelling for some reason.. .VDUB.

[Ryan_R]

We've been asking VW to fix the gearbox software so it didn't keep changing up too early for ages (I'd rather pay a little more in fuel than have gearbox shudders and delayed throttle response). In fact I went so far as to spend $900 on Guy's DSG tune to make it happen last year (after VW replaced my gearbox under warranty, that's how bad the problem got).

But yeah, keep driving it for another week and see if it settles down - usually they reset the gearbox and it has to re-adapt to your driving again).

[rory]

37G7 sticker it has. Had a new mechatronic unit fitted at the start of February this year after the original one decided to retire itself when 800ks from home. Thought maybe this was why it was flagged for an update as it was my first visit to my regular service place after this event which was fixed 800 ks from home as well.
I find dropping down to 4th on the hill on my normal drive home a bit disturbing; maybe I should try paddelling in manual; If I can rememeber how. The 20% increase in fuel consumption for the same drive is a bit hard to swallow.

[stickshift3000]

As others have said, the new settings will take some time to adapt.

From the ross-tech (vagcom) website, this is the required driving procedure after replacing or resetting the mechatronics unit:

Defined Test Drive

Suggested test drive after replacing the mechatronic or successful basic setting.

Prerequisites:

- Fluid Temperature 30...100 °C (86...210 °F), see Measuring Blocks, Group 019.
- Do Not use Cruise Control.

Drive in Tiptronic Mode from stand still up to 6th Gear.
While doing that make sure to drive in Gears 3 or 5 for approx. 5 minutes and also in 4 or 6 for approx. 5 minutes.
The engine speed window for all gears is 1200 - 3500 RPM (for clutch calibration).
Perform one sharp braking followed by a full throttle acceleration (oil return check) while in Drive, Not Tiptronic Mode.
Evaluate creep and starting-off points.
Check for leaks.

NOTE: If the test drive cannot be performed in the recommended way or the necessary time, any remaining adaptations will be performed automatically during normal driving.

Special Notes

- It is normal for the transmission to make noise while the tolerances are adapting. Do not exit or abort the Basic Settings sequence prematurely if you hear clacking noises.
- Customers with TDI's have reported that an RPM range of 2000-2500 rpm is sufficient.

Taken from here: 6-Speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG/02E) - Ross-Tech Wiki

[kyrannian]

After I reset the adaption on my Passat, it took about 1000 km for the mileage to return back to normal.

[noisuf]

Our MY08 R32 had it's 2nd mechatronics unit installed last week. Thank god we had the extended Allianz warranty.

They needed to 'test drive' our car for 120kms this time round in 'various driving conditions' before they said the mech unit was at fault again and 'dumping' the gear into first.

We have a full service record which includes DSG issues regularly so I do hope VW comes to the party if an issue occurs after our extended warranty expires end of this year........like they say informally verbally........... (well, at least the new mech unit has a two year warranty)

[fillmore]

37G7 sticker it has. Had a new mechatronic unit fitted at the start of February this year after the original one decided to retire itself when 800ks from home. Thought maybe this was why it was flagged for an update as it was my first visit to my regular service place after this event which was fixed 800 ks from home as well.
I find dropping down to 4th on the hill on my normal drive home a bit disturbing; maybe I should try paddelling in manual; If I can rememeber how. The 20% increase in fuel consumption for the same drive is a bit hard to swallow.

I feel your pain Rory. Found that my economy increased by .5-1.5 ltrs per 100kms after this update, although with the 118tsi motor. Economy around town has suffered the most I feel mainly due to it never using 7th gear under 70kmph, with highway mileage suffering at the lower end of the scale. Also don't like the way it drops down gears when on cruise control down hills now, but this may be different with a diesel due to higher compression = more engine braking. Overall the drive now is not as relaxed or economical but slightly more fun if you have the urge to get there quicker, at a price. Due for a service next week so will mention this problem and see what comes of it

[rory]

Guess I'd better mention you guys were right about waiting for the update to "adjust" over a few weeks. I'm now back to averaging about 5.3l/100ks. Originally I was getting 5.1 and was shocked when it suddenly started to use 6.1 It's noticeably more "revvy" than before
but not in a bad way. Never seen mine drop down from 7th gear in cruise control coming down a hill fillmore .I also doubt that the engine braking on my 1.6 diesel would be greater than a petrol. Yes the compression is greater but the gearing is lower. I often manually knock it down to 6th when coming down hills to avoid speeding. No problem whatsoever trying to not speed in the 1.8 litre Lancer down the same hills; just let the foot off the throttle holds it. Well maybe that the Lancer is doing 3300 rpm at 100ks might have a bit to do with the engine braking availability.

[Ryan_R]

Good to hear, thanks for posting back.