MY13.5 GTI - DSG Shuddering in D2

[luvpsi]

Hi everyone,

My GTI (with 35k on the clock) has started shuddering when in D2 about a month ago but has progressively increased and it now does it nearly every time I take off in D.

I had a feeling that it was the clutches to took it into VW service and to my surprise they advised that they will replaced the clutch packs for me.

I was under the impression that being a 2013 model GTI the issues would have been ironed out by now.. Will VW replace the parts with stronger ones and how likely is it to happen again sometime in the near future?

[car_nut]

I think life of the clutches comes down to how the car is driven when you have a DSG. As has been stated it's a pity there is not an education program (by VW Australia).

Read posts #190 to #192 on this thread link http://www.vwwatercooled.com/forums/...ml#post1126380

[CID84G]

I think how the car is driven only plays a small part in their premature failure. I would place a bigger proportion of the blame on the clutch pack / poor software. You know it's asking for trouble when the software tries to shift up to D2 whenever possible in anything but half to full throttle application.

[car_nut]

I think how the car is driven only plays a small part in their premature failure. I would place a bigger proportion of the blame on the clutch pack / poor software. You know it's asking for trouble when the software tries to shift up to D2 whenever possible in anything but half to full throttle application.

Agree 100%. That's why I never drive in D and never give it heavy throttle at low revs.

[luvpsi]

Hrmm.. I am guilty of driving in heavy traffic, driving in D (often) and also stomping on the throttle at low revs sometimes

New clutches are getting fitted next week under warranty so I will take better care of them next time. BTW, are the replacement clutches an upgraded version of the factory ones??

[Rawcpoppa]

Cars will judder regardless of how they are driven. Why do you think the manual does not state any special way to drive the DSG equipped vehicles? If it was REALLY down to how DSG is driven then VW would have put specific instructions as they do with all the other specific warnings in a vehicle manual.

Further evidence of this is seen in the updated part numbers for the clutches over the years.

[Sydneykid]

I think how the car is driven only plays a small part in their premature failure. I would place a bigger proportion of the blame on the clutch pack / poor software. You know it's asking for trouble when the software tries to shift up to D2 whenever possible in anything but half to full throttle application.

I disagree completely, drive it like it's got a torque converter and it's asking for trouble. It's just like slipping the clutch madly in a manual, it's bound to overheat and wear out the clutch packs.

Cheers
Gary

[Raz_]

Our 12.5 gti had the same issues and the clutches were replaced under warranty by VW. I was informed it was a known issue.

[awdmoke]

Our 12.5 gti had the same issues and the clutches were replaced under warranty by VW. I was informed it was a known issue also.

I didn't even think that it was that bad.
They reprogrammed the ECU and the new clutch pack is supposedly a harder material.
So far so good, and that was nearlt two years ago.

[JonW]

The new software bang the clutches in much more fiercely than the old did, a lot less slipping is allowed to happen now. That coupled with the new clutches should mean they last longer.

FWIW I dont drive my car badly and dont commute in it, and yet my original set lasted only 12k kms before they were so bad it was almost undrivable, started slipping at 9k. Seems that some batches of clutches were not the best quality. but its been fine with the new set and software for the next 12k as thats all ive got on it so far.

[halfcoast]

Just booked in my MY12.5 GTI to have the clutches replaced. Have been complaining for previous 2 services but they came back saying operating okay. It has just gotten unbearable over the last couple of weeks. As it comes out of warranty next month, I thought I had better do something. Took someone from the service dept for a short drive. Having worked out how to make it shudder on command, drove about 20 m up the road and he said yep that's it. No problems. No argument.
All booked in but just had to wait for a loaner to be available for the 2 days they need to fix it.

[Raz_]

Bugger. Ours was in and out in a day.
I'm very happy with the new firmware coupled with the new clutches. Much better shift logic

[luvpsi]

Got the car back and the new clutches/software seem to operate slightly differently to before. The shifts are smoother (no more jerk between upshifts at full throttle) and overall it appears the logic is more userfriendly.

One thing that has not changed is the tendancy to shify to D2 all the time!

[halfcoast]

All done. They ended up with car for 2.5 days waiting for a part to come in.
Definitely better than it was but nothing like any of the more recent loaners I have had with the same trans. Maybe it is due to being a GTI and a different setup.
Time to look for a new car before it needs any expensive repairs as it comes out of warranty today.