Do you actually use the DSG, or is it always in automatic mode?

[pogo_55]

Just wondering,

I have a Polo GTi currently and am looking at a DSG equipped car next, possibly a Golf. So my question is for those who have DSG gearboxes. How often do you actually take them out of full automatic mode, as I suspect it is not often. Posted it here as I expect to find most DSG equipped cars here.

[Pana]

Not a Golf, but I leave the Passat in full auto mode 95+% of the time.

[JohnA]

in the week i have had the car, i use the manual shifting mode 90% of the time.

[pogo_55]

in the week i have had the car, i use the manual shifting mode 90% of the time.

Yes, this is kind of what I thought. Initially I would "play" with it then just not bother......

[obiwan]

I maybe do 50/50. If I'm driving a little bit more aggressively, I worry about brake life if I don't downshift and use some engine braking.

[sillygogo]

90% in D, 5% in S the other 5% would be in Tiptronic from 1 to D when wanting for a smooth and fast take off

[Dyldo]

I maybe do 50/50. If I'm driving a little bit more aggressively, I worry about brake life if I don't downshift and use some engine braking.

I use to have this mentality - until i realised that brakes are WAYYYYY cheaper than long-term engine repairs, so I am always on my brakes.

If i want to drive "properly" and have more fun however, or try to hit a corner properly (on and off track, but not street racing obviously) I'll use engine braking and rev-match.

[Digger11]

I maybe do 50/50. If I'm driving a little bit more aggressively, I worry about brake life if I don't downshift and use some engine braking.

As my mechanic says, brakes are simple and cheap to replace wherea engines, gearboxes and the drivetrain should never be used to slow a vehicle, you are just wasting money and wearing out the expensive parts.

[demonjay]

How often do you actually take them out of full automatic mode, as I suspect it is not often.

Having only ever owned manual cars I thought the same thing, and actually worried about becoming a "automaton", but now after 5 months of ownership (r32) I find myself driving in manual mode maybe 30-50% of the time. Sometimes it's just for the feel of riding the torque or others just for the fact I don't like how the auto handles some parts of my commute.
Ultimately I love having the choice, if your just a driver I guess auto will be predominately be your domain, if you love to drive every now and then you will love the choice too.

[Corey_R]

I probably used manual about 40% of the time. I had a stage II APR tune MKV GTI, so even the fact that D wanted to put it into 6th gear at 60kph didn't really worry the engine due to the awesome torque. I used manual whenever I was on spirited driving and during the warmup etc.