Can D Mode cause long term engine damage?

[Zoza]

That's correct. I have no real proof that my run in style is successful. But there is no real proof that suggests otherwise.
Its one of those things that seem to be highly subjective.
Its in the same basket as idling your engine for a period of time to "warm it up" before you drive it.

I've now got 160,000km on the dial, and the car still makes almost 200rwKW, with no sign of any problems whatsoever.

Current: Nissan S15 200SX (too many mods to list)| 197rwKW

Perhaps the parts that were to fail were replaced already?!

[Zoza]

Or just push the gear selector to the left and drive in manual mode (using the shifter or paddles to change up/down). If you slow down too much or stop it'll downshift for you.

Ryan, I would do that, but then fuel consumption ends up being 14-15L+... Mind you I've even managed 20L/100km for a short period of time (3-4km)... Thats how much my 6.0L V8 used to drink

[DreamensioN]

That's a pretty impressive result considering that's basically what they came from the factory with. I'm guessing you've serviced it extremely regularly, which always helps.

Out of curiosity, any mods to it at all? Or is the engine still as the Gods of Nissan intended it?

Perhaps the parts that were to fail were replaced already?!

Haha.... I could see that coming.

The 200SX made 147kw at the flywheel when new. Mine now make 197kw at the wheels. But the engine block is still 100% factory original. I've only done bolt on mods (intercooler, suspension, exhaust, cold air intake, ECU, boost controller, injectors, cams). Everything from the valve springs down to the oil sump is still Nissan original.

[Leon]

Thanks for pointing that out Zoza -- I should know to read the signature before asking stupid questions...

[Brian916]

One thing I've noticed with the DSG is how eager it is to change up on gentle throttle openings. From idle, it's only in 1st for the first 2 - 5 meters of driving before it changes to 2nd, and maybe 50m further for 3rd, 4th, and often within 80m of starting gently, I'm in 6th at 60kmh

As I'm new to the DSG thing, is that normal? The Polo GTi I tested was far less eager to change up.

Put them into the 's' setting, and then it holds gear for ages or changes at around 3k rpm. Just in 'd' it seems to be in a 'super economy' mode.

Mind you, the engine doesn't seem to labour at all doin that either. Maybe I need to put my foot down more!

[hooba]

The DSG is designed like that to take advantage of the low end torque and to minimise fuel consumption.

You're right about needing to put your foot down.

[Corey_R]

Exactly, the DSG is controlled completely by your right foot. It will adapt based on your very recent driving. If you push down hard enough in the R, it won't change to 2nd until ~50 and 3rd until ~100. At the opposite end of the scale with very light throttle, it can be in 6th as low as 55. So how it changes whilst in D is up to you.

About the only caveat to that is when you're stuck behind other people driving slowly. If you're restricted by them, then even if you want to be driving sporty, it'll think you're wanting to drive economically cause it doesn't know your stuck behind someone. Even if you were previously driving sporty, it'll eventually adapt to economically.

[Ryan_R]

...which is why I hate slow peak hour traffic - because I know it's undoing all my good work with the throttle/gear adaptations

[Corey_R]

The 6sp is alright... it comes back alive pretty quickly if you normally drive with a mix of styles.

[Ryan_R]

I always find refilling the tank with VPower is one of the best way to make the car accelerate effortlessly again for some reason - plus fiddling with the cruise control stick before ignition also helps, if you know what I mean

Would be interesting for me to compare with a stock 6spd GTI, and you a 7spd TSI APR Stage 1 to compare the DSG behaviour though.