DSG7 questions

[Blackdakdak]

Hi - new Tigger, 132TSI DSG7.

I'm having problems getting used to the DSG7. My old Forester XT only has a 4 speed auto and takes off like a jet from any speed (and uses a LOT more fuel). The DSG seems sluggish, especially in D mode where it tends to stay in the highest possible gear, S is quite a bit better but a bit jerky, and still seems to go to highest gear as soon as possible. I havent played around with tiptronic mode much yet - with 7 gears I dunno if I could be bothered figuring out when to shift - do others use it much? Maybe i just need to get used to a bit less torque and power and develop a heavier right foot.

The Tig definitely feels more solid and handles better to me - something I'm sure other Forester drivers would deny! It deosnt seem to understeer as much or lean into roundabouts etc.

VW need to take a look at some of the clever bits on the XT like the very light aluminium bonnet - nearly gave myself a hernia lifting the Tigs after years of single handed lifting. Storage is another issue, but it does mean I don't haul around as much crap as I used to. Simple handy things like a retractable luggage blind, luggage hooks, net pockets in the back of seats and a couple of compartments in the roof module - and standard fog lights. The Foz had these 8 years ago and it wasn't the full luxury pack.

I drive around 30000+ ks a year, lots of them on rough country roads and get the occasional puncture, so the space-saver worries me a bit. Has anyone come up with a reasonable full sized spare solution? If I shoved one in place of the space saver, i think the floor height would be too high?

Anyway - just a few questions and thoughts. I'm very happy with the Tig and look forward to putting heaps of ks on it.

[blutopless2]

the dsg will seem sluggish when in D as it tries to achieve the best fuel economy at all times... not sure about the 7 speed but my 6 speed shifts at about 2000rpm. In S mode it should rev higher than in D before changing gears and will take its time shifting up even when cruising at 100kmh.
The other thing to remember is that you have come from (guessing here) about 155kW 4 speed auto to 132kW 7 speed dsg. There are going to be some differences in performance and general driving characteristics of the drivetrains.
Personally i dont use the "manual" mode very often... usually for overtaking on one lane freeways etc...
Not sure if your Tig has it in the MFD but mine (125TSI manual) has an indicator in the MFD to tell me the current gear i am in and whether i should be upshifting (up arrow) or downshifting (down arrow) depending upon driving conditions etc... it is located in the top right corner next to the time display. This may only come on when you are in "manual" mode.

[phantomcamel]

I think it is just a matter of getting used to the fact that you don't have to rev it to get great performance out of the car. The whole idea of Volkswagen engines coupled with the DSG is to drive as frugal as possible changing gears at the earliest point. That gives you the good economy figures. For normal driving just leave it in D and it will ccle through the gears as quick as possible based on torque levels. In dangerous situations or behind an extremly long truck where you feel you need that exttra grunt, shift to S mode and it will rev higher & hold the gears longer before it shifts. It will give you a zippier performance, but will also use more fuel.

[RGE]

My experience with a 147TSI 7sp DSG, after only ever owning manual gearbox vehicles, is it takes a while to get used to it but I'm more than pleased and I can still claim to have never owned a 'slush box', ie torque converter vehicle whilst enjoying some of the smoothest automatic gear changes I've ever experienced.

A few things to ponder.

If you're used to a 5sp manual think of 2nd in the DSG as equivalent to 1st and 6th is then like 5th and the 7th gear is a fuel save over-overdrive that comes in around 70kph.

I find when you're 'pottering around' that by using S instead of D it changes more like I used to in my previous manual (Peugeot 307 2lt) but after a while you get used to controlling change up points by throttle control.

The thing I initially missed most is engine braking when slowing for a corner but this is readily overcome with a quick flick across of the lever and a couple of back flicks and/or by gently touching the brake thereby telling the tig you 'lifted off' because you want to slow down and it then intelligently down-shifts for you.

As 'the other driver' commented with the tig it's not like getting used to the clutch, it's getting used to the throttle.

After a couple of French cars I'm more than impressed with the move to a German make and having previously driven 'the other drivers' auto Forester a few years ago, with it's lack of go and huge gap between 3 and 4, I find having 7 gears to play with and plenty of power to boot is just heaven.

[Blackdakdak]

Thanks everyone. Some great info. Like everything new it will take a bit if time to get used to. The best thing is the dsg gives me so many options. D, S modes or tiptronic......a few more than the 4 speed auto i'm used to. Cruise around in D saving fuel, give it a burst in S, or take control in tiptronic. The turbo forester was all about acceleration and has the fuel use to show for it - so it will be great to get more than 400 km out of a tank!

[aussietig]

FWIW manual mode is lot more engaging and easier with flappy paddles.

[Aurange_Tiguan]

The DSG definitely gets a good fuel economy! I just got back last night from a 1850Km road trip through south western WA and only went through two tanks of diesel. We had 4 adults and a roof box, which I could really notice when driving. But even then, the Tig still had enough power to overtake cars sitting at 100 in a 110 zone quite easily - in Drive mode! It is more sluggish, but I was impressed that it was able to do so much given the conditions.

Given the performance on the road trip, the onboard computer now estimates my next fuel stop to be in 1,000Km.

[fung9420]

it's not a matter of DSG itself.
It's the way of VW advertising fuel economy.

I am fairly sure VW could make it very reponsive. However, that's not their marketing.
if u want fast acceleration in any cases of over taking, just down shifts.
Put in "S" if u want to launch or consistantly fast driving.

For the storage, Tig isn't the best in range. For the drive, it's just nice. In between of a GTI and a SUV.

[dibdib dubdub]

Hi all,

I'm a bit confused. I thought the 132 didn't come in a DSG?

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/forums/f97/125-vs-132-no-dsg-available-66446.html

[Blackdakdak]

Hi dibdib, the early 132s into Australia came with the DSG7. Apparently some more are coming with only the auto 6 - they are the Pacific models. I think they get much better options included, but i dont know if the auto is as good as the DSG? as far as I know they will go back to DSGs when there are more available.

[aussietig]

Not confusing at all.

All explained in this thread:
http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/foru...ges-62753.html

[dibdib dubdub]

Thanks Blackdakdak, I didn't know that.

I have a 147 dsg and whilst I've had a couple of issues it has performed well when not broken.

One thing I will say is that it does need a bit of encouragement when in D but that is to be expected. I actually think it being in a high gear when trundling around isn't a bad thing as long as it kicks down when required. The main thing is be consistent, when you back off make sure you continue to back off and when you put your foot down keep it down (not necessarily to the floor).

Auto hold was also something that took a little getting used to. I initially found the pressure to release it was sufficiently fierce to make me nervous about launching myself into the car in front in heavy traffic. With no clutch pedal there's no ability to ride the clutch.

The moral of both these stories for me is to look ahead a bit allow a gap and be smooth. All things I remember my driving instructor saying to me many moons ago.

[tschoi]

For me the biggest problem is low speed (maybe under 10kph), not complete stop then go. If you leave gear at D it does not downshift to 1st gear until the car nearly stops. So if you slow down below 10kph then try to speed up at roundabout or give way sign, it will be VERY sluggish as it's in 2nd gear at very low rev. Fix seems to be S or manually shifting to 1st (or stopping completely) but I still tend to forget I need to do some extra work to get moving quickly.

[aussietig]

For me the biggest problem is low speed (maybe under 10kph), not complete stop then go. If you leave gear at D it does not downshift to 1st gear until the car nearly stops. So if you slow down below 10kph then try to speed up at roundabout or give way sign, it will be VERY sluggish as it's in 2nd gear at very low rev. Fix seems to be S or manually shifting to 1st (or stopping completely) but I still tend to forget I need to do some extra work to get moving quickly.

Yes ... totally agree!

Have had a few near death experiences turning out at a T section.

Especially when you thought there were no cars and then the car(s) suddenly appear.
Putting foot down when DSG is comfortable in 2nd gear just doesn't get you out of trouble cause it hesitates like anything.

Problem is even worse during cold/initial starts!
So I also suggest manually shifting when pulling out as well.

But like you ... I sometimes forget to do that (especially with wife & kids on board).

[Aurange_Tiguan]

I agree that Drive is sluggish when starting off. I've also had those issues getting onto a roundabout. Recently I've resorted to shifting into Sport when appoaching intersections. This helps in two ways: it takes the Tig out of coasting mode and slows it down for the stop and it helps get up to speed nice and quick.