Do you actually use the DSG, or is it always in automatic mode?

[pogo_55]

Just wondering,

I have a Polo GTi currently and am looking at a DSG equipped car next, possibly a Golf. So my question is for those who have DSG gearboxes. How often do you actually take them out of full automatic mode, as I suspect it is not often. Posted it here as I expect to find most DSG equipped cars here.

[Pana]

Not a Golf, but I leave the Passat in full auto mode 95+% of the time.

[JohnA]

in the week i have had the car, i use the manual shifting mode 90% of the time.

[pogo_55]

in the week i have had the car, i use the manual shifting mode 90% of the time.

Yes, this is kind of what I thought. Initially I would "play" with it then just not bother......

[obiwan]

I maybe do 50/50. If I'm driving a little bit more aggressively, I worry about brake life if I don't downshift and use some engine braking.

[sillygogo]

90% in D, 5% in S the other 5% would be in Tiptronic from 1 to D when wanting for a smooth and fast take off

[kennyc]

I don't have the car yet but i think i would mainly use the auto mode.
Prob every now and then will use the DSG but not that often.

[trueman]

Oh please don't let this deteriorate into MT vs DSG (aka auto cause there's no clutch)

[pogo_55]

Oh please don't let this deteriorate into MT vs DSG (aka auto cause there's no clutch)

Not my intention. Just genuinely interested in how often the dsg gearbox is used outside of the automatic mode.

[STV4SYT]

This is my 2nd DSG car and i reckon auto is about 95% of the time, currently im using Manual a fair bit with the newness of the car, but one thing i always have done, and continue to do even when i had the diesel is to shift back to S mode for increased engine braking and then flick back to D for a normal take-off, that is pretty much ever time i need to slow down.

[MurphyTheElf]

I've had the GTI for over 5 months and I use manual mode about 60 - 70% of the time. I use automatic when the car is cold, then flick it across to full manual after about 5 minutes. If I hit heavy traffic, I'll whack it back into automatic until I get some clear road. When I'm getting ready to park, back to auto again.

I love the throttle blips and controlling the rate of acceleration (I hate automatics dropping down too many or too few gears, and the DSG can still suffer from this). My fuel economy is pretty crappy (just over 10L/100km), but did I buy a Prius? No.

Oh - and I never use S unless if I'm doing something stupid. It's very aggressive.

[demonjay]

How often do you actually take them out of full automatic mode, as I suspect it is not often.

Having only ever owned manual cars I thought the same thing, and actually worried about becoming a "automaton", but now after 5 months of ownership (r32) I find myself driving in manual mode maybe 30-50% of the time. Sometimes it's just for the feel of riding the torque or others just for the fact I don't like how the auto handles some parts of my commute.
Ultimately I love having the choice, if your just a driver I guess auto will be predominately be your domain, if you love to drive every now and then you will love the choice too.

[Corey_R]

I probably used manual about 40% of the time. I had a stage II APR tune MKV GTI, so even the fact that D wanted to put it into 6th gear at 60kph didn't really worry the engine due to the awesome torque. I used manual whenever I was on spirited driving and during the warmup etc.

[Axis]

I keep the car in D about 80% of the time but regularly press the paddles to temporarily change down if I want to burst up a hill or speed up after a slower car turns off in front of me.

I've only ever used S once on the highway as a test to see what it was like. It was very agressive as mentioned. If I'm away from the highway or city then I leave it in manual and use the paddles - or the shifter if there's a lot of cornering going on.

[MkVIGTI]

haven't got my car yet but i would probably be using the manual mode for about 30% of the time, since it has paddle shifters right behind the steering wheel it is pretty convenient actually.