TDI manual

[trueman]

Hi
Looking at a Tig tdi manual. Anyone here have much experience?
I have heard it can be easy to stall etc
The fuel economy is much better than the auto (stated figures)
Thanks

[NZTiguan]

Hi
Looking at a Tig tdi manual. Anyone here have much experience?
I have heard it can be easy to stall etc
The fuel economy is much better than the auto (stated figures)
Thanks

There were some early issues with the dual-mass flywheel in the manual not liking the low down torque of the diesel, at least one in GB was actually swopped for a new auto and there have been a number recently complaining about gearbox noises !! Personally I have the auto, get fantastic fuel economy and feel that the auto box is even better suited to the diesel than the petrol model. In "D" it starts in 2nd (effortlessly) and holds 6th up all but the steepest of hills. If it was me I'd have the auto every time but it's personal preference in the end. Remember the auto is GREAT for off-road (no chance of a stall etc etc) and has tiptronic and sport mode as well.

Cheers

[trueman]

Thanks for that advice

[duncan]

I've got the manual, way prefer it to the auto, but I've never been a fan of slushboxes.
THe 6 speed box has a very low 1st gear (good for off road). THat combined with peaky torque range means you are never going to win a drag at the lights. But once you're into 2nd and beyond it pulls strongly and shifts cleanly and smoothly.
Its really nice to drive. And fun too, especially when you learn which gear is best for what speed to stay in the torque band.

The only thing I don't like is the electronic handbrake and the auto hold function. With the auto hold function you need to provide more revs than you normally would to pull away as you need to overcome the brakeforce for the autohold to disengage, which is a bit un-natural, but you learn to compensate.
What really urks me is the way it activate at low speeds when you're manouvering, even the VW dealer said to turn it off then. But you forget and it turns on and you stall. Damn annoying.
So I don't use it.
But the electronic handbrake lacks feel and you need to time its release correctly. No revs and try to release, it won't unless your foots on the brake pedal. Release it too late after applying revs and lifting the clutch and the servo takes a while to release so you stall. You do get it, but it takes time and its not intuitive.
For a manual a standard handbrake would be much better. The auto hold feature works great for an auto by stopping the torque converter taking the load to do a similar thing.
But does it really do anything better than a good old trusty handbrake? Nup. Its the only thing about the Tig that give me the ****s. A solution to something that wasn't a problem.

[harrip]

I drive the TDi Auto and love it and my opinion of the electronic handbrake would be the opposite of Duncan's as I love it. I can imagine it not being as user friendly in a manual as an Auto.

[NZTiguan]

I drive the TDi Auto and love it and my opinion of the electronic handbrake would be the opposite of Duncan's as I love it. I can imagine it not being as user friendly in a manual as an Auto.

Yep, I think that's the general consensus from what I've read. Most auto drivers just love it, most manual drivers loath it. I'm in the auto camp to and feel that the eBrake in general is just so smooth and uncomplicated that all cars should have it !!! That said, I think if I had a manual I'd be cursing the day it was invented !!

Cheers

[Sharkie]

Have the manual and I really don't mind the e-brake ....

I use it all the time (on hills) ... not the autohold, just the handbrake. It disengages automatically upon pull-off in 1st so I'm not sure what everybody is on about.

Maybe someone needs to experiment with it a bit more ....

Like most things in the car, I spent a few minutes trying and testing its operation and its fine. Even my wife gets it .....

When pulling off, let out the clutch smoothly and increase pressure slightly on the accellerator and it will disengage automatically within a split second once it detects that 1. you are in 1st gear (will not work in any other gear I've tried) and 2. you intend to move off.

[duncan]

Yep, Sharkie's right it will auto disengage, but its not as quick and smooth as I'd like. You have to give the diesel a few more herbs to overcome the brake, cause if you just tickle the accelerator the lack of low down torque causes it to stall.
Once you get the timing right and allow for the small delay between hitting the switch and the servo releasing the brakes you can make it as smooth as a normal analogue handbrake release.
Its still not a improvement on what existed previously, so I don't see the need to introduce it. Golf VIs don't have it.

Also why the stupid 'foot on the clutch to start' - this is marketed as an off road vehicle and the safest way to decend a failed hill climb is to put the car in reverse keep your feet off the clutch and brake, start the car and let the engine compression control the descent.
I know its a idiot safety switch to stop people driving off cliffs, but...

Despite these little whinges its a great car and getting better as the engine runs in. I just need to adjust the brake pedal height to get the heel and toe technique to work properly

[NZTiguan]

Also why the stupid 'foot on the clutch to start' - this is marketed as an off road vehicle and the safest way to decend a failed hill climb is to put the car in reverse keep your feet off the clutch and brake, start the car and let the engine compression control the descent.

Are you suggesting people "start" the car in reverse gear with their foot OFF the clutch ??? doesn't sound possible to me ???

[jimbomort]

Yep, Sharkie's right it will auto disengage, but its not as quick and smooth as I'd like. You have to give the diesel a few more herbs to overcome the brake, cause if you just tickle the accelerator the lack of low down torque causes it to stall.

Despite these little whinges its a great car and getting better as the engine runs in. I just need to adjust the brake pedal height to get the heel and toe technique to work properly

I think the problem here is the diesel, no problem in a TSI manual with APR stage 1, then torque at any revs not an issue!

But I'm stirring, I'd happily have the Tig with either motor. Is a few extra herbs needed at take-off that much of a problem?

Like Sharkie, cant say I've ever thought it a problem, but we both have the TSI, maybe low rev torque in the diesel is more of an issue?

[duncan]

Are you suggesting people "start" the car in reverse gear with their foot OFF the clutch ??? doesn't sound possible to me ???

Yep. Thats it. If you fail a climb, ie sitting there all wheels spinning not going anywhere. The safest thing to do is put your foot on the brake and stall the car. With the car stalled keep your foot on the brake and put in reverse. Take both feet off the pedals and ensure the steering wheel is straight, the engine compression will hold the car in position. Start the car with the key and reverse down using engine compression to control the speed.
Generally braking on steep descents going backwards just locks the wheels, but can be useful if you pump the brake pedal like manual ABS.

Obviously only works with a manual. And doesn't work at all in Tig.

[T&M]

Are you suggesting people "start" the car in reverse gear with their foot OFF the clutch ??? doesn't sound possible to me ???

Google: 4WD stall start

[clip]

Are you suggesting people "start" the car in reverse gear with their foot OFF the clutch ??? doesn't sound possible to me ???

Basic off road driving technique 101. Give it a try, you'll be amazed how well it works - and it could save you a lot of grief if you get halfway up a hill and decide you can't go any further. If you do any sort of off road or advanced driver training they will get you to do it I'm sure.

[NZTiguan]

Basic off road driving technique 101. Give it a try, you'll be amazed how well it works - and it could save you a lot of grief if you get halfway up a hill and decide you can't go any further. If you do any sort of off road or advanced driver training they will get you to do it I'm sure.

Fortunately I

a: Have an AUTO so I don't ever stall on a hill !! and

b: The hill descent control on the Tiguan off-road works in reverse as well as forward !! so I can crawl down the hill backwards without having to juggle anything !!!


Cheers

[duncan]

a: Have an AUTO so I don't ever stall on a hill !!

Cheers

Yeah but whats the title of this thread

Autos will stall in certain situations, but whats more likely is the oil overheats and you lose drive.
With a manual you always have a direct connection between the engine and the wheels and are not relying on the viscousity of a liquid to propel you forward.

Autos are easier to drive off road, but most expedition 4WDs are manual because they'll get you further and can cope with more abuse.

Mind you thats waaaaaaay beyond the scope of the Tig.

But at the end of the day manuals still rule