DSG: Problems, Questions, Likes and Dislikes

[Ryan_R]

I don't drive my DSG the same way I would an auto. My dad one tried to move my car out of our driveway (going forwards while parked on an uphill slope) and treated it like any auto. I looked on to see him not going anyway for a second, then panic as it started to go backwards.

We now have two nice black lines on our driveway

[Alok]

Yeah that's a good point Ryan_R. Although both an Automatic and DSG shift gear automatically they do behave differently. And if you go in to a DSG thinking it's an automatic, you will expect it to have a torque converter (i.e. it will not roll on slight inclines).

Just because you get in to it and see there is no clutch pedal doesn't mean it will behave the same as your automatic Camry.

If the DSG behaved EXACTLY the same as a Automatic then there will be no need for the distinction, but the fact it is does not behave the same as a automatic gearbox with a torque converter.

[Mountainman]

I don't think the definition is in the behaviour but rather the fact that if a gearbox will change gears automatically (which a DSG does) then it can be an automatic. Sure, you can change gears manually with it too but then you can do that with most torque converter automatics also.

[Alok]

I don't think the definition is in the behaviour but rather the fact that if a gearbox will change gears automatically (which a DSG does) then it can be an automatic. Sure, you can change gears manually with it too but then you can do that with most torque converter automatics also.

What you said is contradictory, changing gears automatically is a behaviour. What I'm trying to point out is that it is not the ONLY behaviour. There is more to it that just changing gears automatically.

[DreamensioN]

Here's an interesting thought.... do you need a manual license, if you buy a DSG gearboxed car? Or can you get away with an automatic only license?

[Corey_R]

But what's the point of "correcting people" when they refer to it as an automatic when for most of them most of the time that is exactly what the DSG does and is? Does it really need a torque converter to make it an automatic?

Because of comments such as Roddy made, and then:

I don't drive my DSG the same way I would an auto. My dad one tried to move my car out of our driveway (going forwards while parked on an uphill slope) and treated it like any auto. I looked on to see him not going anyway for a second, then panic as it started to go backwards.

We now have two nice black lines on our driveway

Yeah that's a good point Ryan_R. Although both an Automatic and DSG shift gear automatically they do behave differently. And if you go in to a DSG thinking it's an automatic, you will expect it to have a torque converter (i.e. it will not roll on slight inclines).

Just because you get in to it and see there is no clutch pedal doesn't mean it will behave the same as your automatic Camry.

If the DSG behaved EXACTLY the same as a Automatic then there will be no need for the distinction, but the fact it is does not behave the same as a automatic gearbox with a torque converter.

I could probably find another few hundred examples in this thread. But then Alok made this comment:

There needs to probably be a distinction between the car and the gearbox. The gearbox is a manual, add on the mechatronic unit (seperate part of the car that controls the clutches) and the car is an automatic.

And I agree with that. It's why I always state it's an Automated Manual Gearbox. If you approach the gearbox with the understanding that whilst it Automatically changes gears, it's still a manual gearbox at its core, it is beneficial to the owner in understanding how and why it operates the way it does, and hopefully gives them the knowledge of how to adapt their driving style slightly to better suit the DSG.

It's just like when you watch Top Gear or Fifth Gear when the Sequential Manual Gearboxes were fashionable and the presenters would say you needed to adjust your driving to the gearbox. They (SMGs) too had no clutch pedal and could change gears automatically, yet they were very jerky if you attempted to drive them as an auto. If you treated them like a manual and lifted as you shifted, they were smooth as silk.


So my point is, understanding the mechanical operation of the gearbox, and distinquishing between traditional automatic torque converters verse SMGs, DSGs, CVTs and all the other options, helps you gain the most out of what you're using.

[Corey_R]

Here's an interesting thought.... do you need a manual license, if you buy a DSG gearboxed car? Or can you get away with an automatic only license?

As it's an automated manual, the RTA etc class it as a Automatic, and therefore you can drive it on a auto-only license.

[Alok]

+1 to what Corey said.

Here's an interesting thought.... do you need a manual license, if you buy a DSG gearboxed car? Or can you get away with an automatic only license?

To the end user it's still an automatic. The reason you would have that distinction in the first place is because people driving a manual will need to learn the added skill of coordinating a clutch with their left leg. The key here is the mechatronics unit, it automates the car. Without it you would need a manual license and a third leg.

[Ryan_R]

lol could you imagine having two clutch pedals and having to remember which one to use for odd/even gears

[brimway]

I explained it to a mate recently by saying ...

"it is a manual gearbox with an automatic clutch"

Best I could come up with that a non mechanically - minded person could grasp

[hentaiboy]

The worst thing about the DSG issues for me is the start-stop traffic I've been in recently. What annoys me is that I can't really use manual mode at such low speeds, since if I'm doing about 9kph in D, it stays in 2nd (sometimes riding the clutch), but in Manual mode it'll switch to 1st a lot earlier, which ends up being a lot more jerky. But yeah, start/stop driving is really bad atm: clunks, hops, shudders, the lot.

Mate, you need to have the DSG software update done (TPI 2021116/4). Each gear is held to higher RPM and 7th isn't selected until 70 km/h. Improves drivability in traffic no end.

[Ryan_R]

Berwick VW weren't too 'supportive' last time I mentioned the DSG shudder a few months ago, maybe I'll ask again at Burwin/Ferntree Gully.

[Candyman]

For the first time, the DSG did the "wont select gear" thing

In manual mode, coasting through an intersection, start to accelerate and nothing - just free revving. Had to move the stick to auto to engage a gear

[brimway]

For the first time, the DSG did the "wont select gear" thing

In manual mode, coasting through an intersection, start to accelerate and nothing - just free revving. Had to move the stick to auto to engage a gear

Google "false neutral vw"

[Candyman]

Goes to the dealer next Friday.

Not concerned really.

However, mine is an MY12 and I would have thought had the latest update for the mechatronics.

Never happened in my GTI.

Have done 4,000 km. Unmodified

Must admit, it is a big issue for VW based on your suggested Google search !

Reading back through this thread seems quite a few R's have had this issue