Changing gears - does anyone pay any attention to the MFD?

[mojo]

I've noticed the MFD will often tell me I should be changing up a gear (or even 2 gears), when it doesn't seem appropriate to do so. For instance, I'll be pottering along in 3rd at around 1800 revs, and the display will be indicating I need to be in 4th, or perhaps even 5th???? Seems strange to me. I assume no one actually pays any attention to this, or there'd be stalled Tigs everywhere!

[duncan]

Yeah mate. Its a bit low esp if you're driving around in traffic. Its pretty simplistic just looking at speed and revs. It takes no account of terrain (which it could using the ESP gyroscope). In traffic you really want to be sitting in the turbo sweet spot, 1750-2500 so ignore the MFD.
It works quite well on the open empty road.

You can get the dealer to turn it off, which I might if I remember at the next service

Cheers
Duncan

[mojo]

Just been reading some of the "running in a diesel" threads, and it makes the MFD gear selection suggestions look even worse. For the first 1600k's or so, most of the threads seem to be indicating that the engine should be running at around 2500/2800 revs until warm, then 3000/3800 once warm. Is this how you manual TDI owners tend to drive?

If I followed the MFD suggested gear changes, I reckon I'd be running at 1000/1500 revs most of the time!

[jimbomort]

the MFD suggestions are for economy and for that purpose are about right and sure running any turbo motor from where boost kicks in (2500 for the TSIs) will be more responsive, but at a significant loss in fuel economy

our TSI Tig manual is running the APR upgrade which does have more torque, but it happily runs at b/w 1000 and 1500 rpm. Indeed it will idle happily in 4th and has enough oomph from 1500 in any gear for normal driving and from a 1000 if you dont expect too much.

the 118tsi golf with DSG runs b/w 1000 and 2000 most of the time unless heavy with the boot

[Greg Roles]

Biggest problem is in the diesel, as below 1800rpm you are "off boost" and generate a lot of soot. This then clogs up your DPF, making for extra regens, and remember it's going to permanently clog one day. If you are on a flat road and not expecting much of the car then running below 1800 is something I will do, but on average roads, in the diesel anyways, I'm always conscious of remaining above the dreaded 1800 or so rpms, especially if it's hilly or I'm asking it to accelerate. In a petrol car not so important, but remember asking for decent acceleration from down low in bigger gears both uses a LOT of extra fuel, and places considerable strain on the turbo itself, and puts you towards the turbo destroying effect of surge - too much boost into an unwilling engine.

[mojo]

So basically, to get the VW claimed fuel economy of the Tig, you have to drive it in a way that's going to be detrimental to the life of the DPF/Engine?

[jimbomort]

Biggest problem is in the diesel, as below 1800rpm you are "off boost" and generate a lot of soot. This then clogs up your DPF, making for extra regens, and remember it's going to permanently clog one day. If you are on a flat road and not expecting much of the car then running below 1800 is something I will do, but on average roads, in the diesel anyways, I'm always conscious of remaining above the dreaded 1800 or so rpms, especially if it's hilly or I'm asking it to accelerate. In a petrol car not so important, but remember asking for decent acceleration from down low in bigger gears both uses a LOT of extra fuel, and places considerable strain on the turbo itself, and puts you towards the turbo destroying effect of surge - too much boost into an unwilling engine.

cant comment on the diesels, and I am no expert, but it certainly wont use more fuel if the accelerator is used sensibly. In almost every car I have ever driven there always seems to be an obvious point at which depressing the accelerator further seems to make no difference at a given load/rev combo. Only difference it makes beyond that is dumping fuel which will go unburnt - I'm assuming that results in the 'soot effect' in the diesel

if driven at lower revs with this in mind (ie never using the accelerator more than have too to get desired result) should be fine. No point to sticking the boot in until the revs are up a bit, in my old sube I never stuck the boot in below 3000rpm, I would at lower revs in our Tig, but only because it clearly responds at lower revs

engines are generally more efficient under load, higher gears are always going to use less fuel up to a point

[team_v]

I use it to a certain degree however i too realised that when it tells you to shift up from 4th to 5th you need to wait a bit longer.
Generally it will tell me to shift wen i am just over 2k rpm and by the time the next gear engages and we're off and moving it's dropped to 1.5k and feels a tad sluggish.

Wonder if you can change the setting from eco suggested gear to sports suggested gear.
Still using it on the way home got me down to 8.2L/100km lol.

[Tigger]

Hey guys...
I might be a bit stupid, but my 2010 125tsi tig (manual) does not show the gear chosen on the MFD.

I have driven many other manual VW cars and they all seem to show this feature in the top right of the MFD.

Is it just me...have I missed the function to turn this on?

[team_v]

Hey guys...
I might be a bit stupid, but my 2010 125tsi tig (manual) does not show the gear chosen on the MFD.

I have driven many other manual VW cars and they all seem to show this feature in the top right of the MFD.

Is it just me...have I missed the function to turn this on?

Mine shows up in the top right when the clutch is released so it should show up.,
I don't think it has to be activated.

Maybe get your dealer to look at it when it gets serviced.

[donweather]

Hey guys...
I might be a bit stupid, but my 2010 125tsi tig (manual) does not show the gear chosen on the MFD.

My 2010 125TSI Manual doesn't either.

[Tigger]

Well, I coincidently had a service done today and asked Barloworld about it. They said that it depends on the Chasis number as to whether this feature is available or not.
It seems that not all have this feature. They did say that they would keep checking with the service computer systems that VW have worldwide and see if and when an update is provided.
Strange that this would not be standard when a base model polo has it??...

[dogbowl]

I drive an auto. It shows the gear that is is in, at any given time. Ok, it is not exactly a must-have, but is entertaining to see when it is kicking-down, or just to get a feel for the gearing.

Such is the torque (280nm), that the car is often in a higher gear than you would expect, and I'm sure this is particularly so in the Diesel (320nm)

By the way, how smooth is the Auto in the Tiguan? I think it is like a CVT without the noise and lag. Ripper drivetrain, Petrol or Diesel!

[duncan]

It does say in the manual that you can ask to have the function turned off by the dealer, so I'd presume you can have the function turned on. But I wouldn't bother.

[velly_16v_cab]

i am not sure if this helps but for those of you who know me (i dont normally post in this section) will know i work for Ford.
This is my thoughts of why it is telling you to run a higher gear than you think as we do the same here in ford.
One of our new engines runs off boost, it is to keep the emissions down. (below 1500 rpm) Yes it seems the engine is struggling but it is the best for emissions. (so i have been told)
I question this on a recent drive event but i was told that this is the best way to help the engine and transmission meet their targets. (i was driving an auto at the time)