TSI Owners - How hard do you have to run the car to max out the boost gauge?

[warhead]

Not sure if it's my driving style, a calibration error in the gauge or a fault in the turbo system but I have to give the car a REAL thrashing to get the needle to hit the end.

Basically if I'm not in the 6k+ rpm range and with the foot flat on the pedal, my boost gauge will only go to about 80% of the way.

I drive a manual TSI so I'm not sure how different it'd be in a DSG.

I've read on the net that some people think the gauge is a gimmic because it always jumps to max boost as soon as they step on the pedal.

Got my 1yr service coming up so just sorting out what things to ask them to take a look at while they have the car.

[tinto]

in DSG, full indicated boost occurs at almost any RPM for me.
eg 5th gear, slight hill, minor increase in acceleration will give full boost for a few seconds.
taking off briskly = almost always full 'indicated' boost.
sustained WOT, guaranteed full boost, regardless of RPM.

Mine seems very sensitive, if yours isn't I think it is definitely worth talking to your dealer about.

[DAN682]

Check to see the W button isnt lit up (if the manual has that mind you)

I know if I am in Winter mode in mine, the Boost gauge battles to go half way.

[warhead]

Check to see the W button isnt lit up (if the manual has that mind you)

I know if I am in Winter mode in mine, the Boost gauge battles to go half way.

Definitely not in winter mode. I've tried using that button just to see how much of a power drop there was and it was staggering.

Winter mode apparently cuts boost by the super + turbo chargers by around 50%, so struggling to go half way makes sense.

But for me, I'm driving in normal mode and 7-80% boost is all I can muster on my usual trips.

[Chung]

I drive a manual. I've found that in 1st gear I have to floor the pedal right from the start to get almost any kind of boost showing up on the gauge. In other gears the needle seems to react more like I'd expect.

[warhead]

I drive a manual. I've found that in 1st gear I have to floor the pedal right from the start to get almost any kind of boost showing up on the gauge. In other gears the needle seems to react more like I'd expect.

What about normal driving?

I found out today that open throttle in any gear gets me to full boost, anything less will only give me 80% tops. Even just letting my foot off the pedal slightly when on the floor will make the boost drop back to 70-80%.

[Paul_OH]

Had to wait til I drove to work to check it out. Vey slight throttle openings (DSG version) go to full boost. I'm probably one of those that thinks it's a gimmick, it reminds me of the vacuum 'economy' gauge I had in an early 80's commodore! I guess it's useful to see if you're NOT getting full boost.

Paul

[Lorenz]

Install an aftermarket boost guage to see what its really running at. Ive always found that stock boost guages dont read very well/accurately.

[SmutsGTI]

I reckon you go down to the local dealership and take a GT manual for a drive, will be a lot easier to see if yours is different

Smuts