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

[cme2c]

I would use manual about 5% of the time. I suspect I would use it more if the car had paddles.

[Frankenstrat]

Oh please don't let this deteriorate into MT vs DSG

There's no reason for it to deteriorate, the question was aimed squarely at DSG owners.

[flappa]

I would expect to leave it in D majority of the time. I understand you can use the paddle shifters to downchange etc as necessary which is what I prefer. It will depend though on the sound. The car I heard when I decided to buy was obviously a DSG car. If thats the sound it makes when using manual. I wont be using ANYTHING else

[tee_off]

Wait. What exactly is DSG? I was under the impression it was a fancy word for Auto.

[Corey_R]

DSG stands for Direct Shift Gearbox. It is a dual-clutch automated manual gearbox. It's design is basically two manual gearboxes which are operated independently of each other, but integrated into the one unit. Each transmission has its own multiplate clutch and input shaft. One transmission takes care of 1st, 3rd, 5th and Reverse. The other transmission takes care of 2nd, 4th and 6th. Really, you could have a car with 4 pedals, two of them being clutches - but since we don't have 3 feet, the DSG has a 'mechatronics unit' which takes care of the operation of both clutches and changing of the gear selector.

Both transmissions have a gear engaged at all times. So if you're in 1st, then 2nd is already engaged on the other transmission. When you (or the gearbox if in D or S) decide to change gears, all that occurs is that one clutch engages at the same time as the other clutch disengages - so power is practically instantaneously transfered from one to the other for 'seamless gearchanges'.

There's a Youtube Video from VW which discusses it here


So - it's definitely not a traditional Auto which uses a torque converter!

[Frankenstrat]

So - it's definitely not a traditional Auto which uses a torque converter!

So if a Golf with DSG was being towed by a tow truck it could face forwards without risking damage to the transmission?

[Idle]

So if a Golf with DSG was being towed by a tow truck it could face forwards without risking damage to the transmission?

Theoretically, yes.

However, more than a short-distance tow might result in lubrication and other problems.

Besides, with FWD lifting the front makes more sense — the car is then just a 2-wheeled trailer.

[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.

[Maverick]

Oh please don't let this deteriorate into MT vs DSG (aka auto cause there's no clutch)

DSG has two clutches. Perhaps manual transmission owners should educate themselves before they dismiss new technology.

[Maverick]

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.

Depends on where I'm driving, I'll override gears when I feel the need and I'll put it in sport mode when zipping around on parts of my commute, on longer drivers it sits in D and on spirited drives it lives in manual and sport mode.

What are you trying to achieve by asking the question as it comes down to individual preference.

Posted it here as I expect to find most DSG equipped cars here.

Actually I would have expected the Mark V forum to have the most!