DSG - idling in gear is not ideal?

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I generally drive and buy manuals only, but went for my first DSG in the Passat, and really enjoying it (especially the flappy paddles - why do people have issues with these?). Anyway, probably a lame question, but just wondering about your thoughts with idling in gear. Is it worth getting into the habit of putting it into neutral given the mechanics of the DSG?

Reason I ask is I was told by someone that knows DSG's that I should do this. BS or not?

[Corey_R]

They used to say that you should move a torque converting auto into neutral too... but no one ever did.
Not sure why you'd do it with a DSG either. Neither the owners manual or the DSG "self study" literature indicates any reason to do so from memory.

[frozze]

I've always put the gear into neutral at the lights or waiting for someone, out of habit. I was taught to do it that way with the reason that you "don't wanna wear the gearbox out so quickly".. Don't know if that's BS or not but I still do it till this day.

[fung9420]

i only do it if i stop over 5mins...

Never have to do it in auto's at the lights. As i heard for the tradition auto with torque converter, brakes on and half engaged gear will increase the temp of the gear oil, but not much. unless u plan to stop for a longer period.

For my understanding, DSG has 2 clutches. eveytime i start from stop, i could feel the clutch to grap the gear. I suspect the clutch in neutral or get ready to grap gear when the car in stationary.

I had also read some articles about shifting in autos (with the gear stick) would wear out the gear/ or some other parts quicker. Stay in "D" while waiting/ stopping a short time should be the way AUTO been designed for... IMO.

[blutopless2]

It is my understanding (and my observations) that the DSG is already in neutral when you come to a stop. It will have already selected first gear in preperation for forward movement but if you take your foot off the brake the car will not move forward immediately as per torque converter autos. It is also apparent when you take off on a hill. If it was already trying to go forward there would be no roll back between releasing the brake and hitting the accelerator.
So i would think it would make no difference if you put it in neutral or not as the gearbox is already in neutral when you are stopped.
Obviously these observations are only related to the two DSG's i have had experience with in my Jetta 147TSI so other DSG's may vary in later models or other driveline combinations etc...

[wai]

With a DSG, if you are stationary and idling, you MUST have your foot on the brake pedal as this sees the DSG remain with both clutches disengaged. If you do not have your foot on the brake, the DSG will try to engage the clutch for first gear and try and drive off.

What this means is that you cannot be stopped with the engine idling and ONLY the handbrake (parking brake) on as this will see the DSG try and engage the clutch for first gear. If you do this for any length of time and consistently, the clutch for frst gear will wear out prematurely.

Putting the DSG into neutral will also disengage any Hill Hold function as it only works with the transmission selector in S, D, or R. You then have to have the handbrake on, and when you put the transmission in drive, you will have to "pump" the brake pedal to re-engage Hill Hold.

[frozze]

Putting the DSG into neutral will also disengage any Hill Hold function as it only works with the transmission selector in S, D, or R. You then have to have the handbrake on, and when you put the transmission in drive, you will have to "pump" the brake pedal to re-engage Hill Hold.

Oh cool, thanks for the info.

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Putting the DSG into neutral will also disengage any Hill Hold function as it only works with the transmission selector in S, D, or R. You then have to have the handbrake on, and when you put the transmission in drive, you will have to "pump" the brake pedal to re-engage Hill Hold.

My Hill Hold works with the car in neutral, I do it all the time. But I'm guessing that if I leave it in D, then clutches will be disengaged, so no problem leaving it there (as opposed to manually putting it in neutral -which is really the same thing i.e clutches disengaged)?

[wai]

My Hill Hold works with the car in neutral, I do it all the time. But I'm guessing that if I leave it in D, then clutches will be disengaged, so no problem leaving it there (as opposed to manually putting it in neutral -which is really the same thing i.e clutches disengaged)?

VW have created a little confusion with Hill Hold and Hill Hold assist. I hve seen articles on Hill Hold Assist that will let you take your foot off the brake and it will hold the car for up to 3 minutes. My Caddy has Hill Hold which only works in S, D, and R with the foot on the pedal and on a 5% slope.

But either way, with your foot on the brake or with Hill Hold Assist active, the clutches will be disengaged.

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VW have created a little confusion with Hill Hold and Hill Hold assist. I hve seen articles on Hill Hold Assist that will let you take your foot off the brake and it will hold the car for up to 3 minutes. My Caddy has Hill Hold which only works in S, D, and R with the foot on the pedal and on a 5% slope.

Yes that's right. The Polo has that system where when you take your foot off the brake to do a hill start it will hold for a second or so. The Passat on the other hand must have the Hill Hold Assist (the button says "Auto Hold"). It will hold the car with your foot off in any gear for at least 3 minutes, then applies the handbrake if you haven't moved off after that time.

Thanks for the info on the DSG neutral issue, TBH the last few weeks I've got into the habit of putting it in neutral, but guess I don't have to worry either way.

[zbeasty]

Then there is the safety issue that if you need to move out of the way quickly you have to move back into drive, wait for the box to engage then move. It's one of the first things they teach when you learn to ride a motorbike to be ready at a set of lights and keep an eye out for people hitting you from behind. Practice the same thing in my car.