DSG: Problems, Questions, Likes and Dislikes

**Converted** · 21-09-2010, 11:02 PM

Thought I'd share my recent experience with my new GTi's. The DSG shudders while down shifting at low speeds/gears, not sure if its just the way I drive or maybe its the brakes. It usually happens while I have my foot lightly on the brakes coming up to a set of lights, the last 5-8 metres shudders like your brake pads aren't biting into your discs.
Brought it back to the dealer and had it checked out by their service guy but couldn't not detect the shudder when he drove it. I'll just continue driving it till the car runs in a bit more.

But surprise surprise, this morning in traffic, I decided to give my side mirrors a tweak and this happens; when I turned the knob to 'R' and adjusted my right mirror, the left moves and adjusts itself too!!! But this doesn't happen the other way around when I turn to 'L', it sticks to just the left mirror and doesn't affect the right mirror.
....sigh....
looks like I'll have to send it back!

Any of you having similar problems?

**cameronp** · 21-09-2010, 11:11 PM

Originally Posted by Converted

But surprise surprise, this morning in traffic, I decided to give my side mirrors a tweak and this happens; when I turned the knob to 'R' and adjusted my right mirror, the left moves and adjusts itself too!!! But this doesn't happen the other way around when I turn to 'L', it sticks to just the left mirror and doesn't affect the right mirror.
....sigh....
looks like I'll have to send it back!

That's actually how it's supposed to work, for added "convenience".

**Cuppa** · 21-09-2010, 11:14 PM

I had the exact same issue with my DSG shuddering at very low speeds coming to a stop and I reported it to the dealer at the first service. They say they couldn't find the problem and reset the DSG which helped and the issue is now almost completely gone. I'm not convinced it won't come back tho.

**Converted** · 21-09-2010, 11:24 PM

Thanks Cameronp and Cuppa for the quick response.

Firstly abou the side mirrors, that's what I thought and wrote back to the dealer asking if this was a feature 'coz I remember it not working this way the first time i adjusted the mirror. If that's the way it is then no harm done, i'll just to the right side first then move on to the left = ).

As for the gearbox, rather the inconvenience, I think I'll drive it till my first service and suggest that VW reset my gearbox.

Thanks for your helps guys/gals.

**rs73** · 22-09-2010, 12:48 AM

Re: Mirror
Go into your MFD's Convenience Settings (I think), there is something on mirror adjustment, and choose individually, instead of both.

Re: Shudder,
I have it too, but I think it happens when the car is crawling very slow, as it is a manual gearbox with automatic clutch, not sure if you've driven a manual before or not but on manual car if you didn't clutch in and your speed is too slow you can get the same shudder effect...
the DSG don't disengage the clutch till the car stop or almost to stall point, so getting near to that stall point of around 500-600rpm may produce the effect.

I don't think it's a defect, I think it's a feature.... welcome to the world of manual gearbox, albeit the electronic clutch taking over your left foot function.

**cameronp** · 22-09-2010, 01:17 AM

Originally Posted by Converted

As for the gearbox, rather the inconvenience, I think I'll drive it till my first service and suggest that VW reset my gearbox.

It occurs to me that if you've only just got the car, the gearbox is probably still being worn in. Mine felt a lot better after the first few hundred km - so if you're still on your first tank of fuel I'd give it a bit of time to see if the shudder goes away on its own accord.

The other thing is: mine will shudder a little bit in manual mode when you're coming to a stop (but not in D or S). That's because it lets the revs drop to ~ 700 or so before changing down, and so I think the engine comes quite close to stalling. Whereas in D mode, it downshifts to keep the engine around 1000 rpm before eventually dropping into neutral (which you can feel it do if you really pay attention). That's with the 7-speed DSG on the TSI, though, which might behave differently to the 6-speed on the GTI.

**rs73** · 22-09-2010, 01:21 AM

looks like 6-speed DSG is different - mine is dealer demo with 5500km when I bought it, and it's done over 6000km now.
the shudder is there when engine is close to stalling, it didn't drop to neutral that soon (1000rpm) but rather later (about 600-700rpm)
when coming to a stop.

**Converted** · 22-09-2010, 01:26 AM

Thanks for the mirror tip Rs73, I'll look into it in the morning.

I've always own and driven manual cars (6 speed Integra Type R and 5 speed 91 CRX), occasionally i get to drive autos from friends to hired cars, this is my first DSG though. The DSG definately 'feels' different from the older auto cars. No complaints about DSG upshifting, extremely smooth. But it still has the same 'acceleration lag' sometimes as the older auto gearboxes when it takes that 1-2 seconds to pick the right gear, when it does, it REALLY GOES. Haven't dared to work the paddle-shifts yet till I run the car a bit more.

Really looking forward to reaching the 1000km run-in mark so I can redline it. I know there's been heaps of debate about running the car in vs not bothering and just push it but I've personally decided to take the 'take-it-easy-first' option.

Just filled my baby up for the first time, gonna continue using BP's 98 octane, worked well for my previous cars.

At this stage, I'm still 'exploring' and 'learning' the car since this is my first VW. Trying to build up my confidence handling the car, especially coming from a manual to DSG, before pushing it (surprisingly didn't have problem pushing the GTi to the max around corners at VW's Driver Training Course though

). I find with auto cars, its often the braking which I do not have confidence in. It gives me the perception of less feel and control over the breaking threshold and distance. I'm sure I'll adapt soon enough.

Feel free to give me some pointers, esp seasoned DSG drivers.

**rs73** · 22-09-2010, 01:45 AM

paddle shift - I dunno, I think it became something you get excited for a while then you hardly use it, at least in my case. 90% in traffic, I use D. even when I wanted a bit spirited I just slap to S mode. not only me, but a few friends/relatives who had shift paddle on their alfa, porsche or audis etc also end up hardly using them at all after a few months - they get bored of the new toy.

Good thing with DSG compared to conventional auto is that when you lift off your foot off the accelerator, the DSG will start to shift down like how you normally would drive a manual gearbox. on autos you don't get that much downshift happening till late and you had to just use the brakes to slow down.

Bad thing about the DSG is I think its software sometimes get confused and sometimes you get this hesitation moving off the line from standing still... seems like there's a delay for the clutch to engage if it doesn't pre-emptively thinking you're gonna start moving off.
it can be annoying on 'Give Way' signs on busy intersection into major road or on busy roundabouts where you just have to be swift to catch that gap in the traffic. But once moving the DSG is very quick and responsive.

well, nothing's perfect... you just have to get used to it and change the driving strategy to suit...

**Maverick** · 22-09-2010, 02:12 AM

Originally Posted by Converted

But surprise surprise, this morning in traffic, I decided to give my side mirrors a tweak and this happens; when I turned the knob to 'R' and adjusted my right mirror, the left moves and adjusts itself too!!! But this doesn't happen the other way around when I turn to 'L', it sticks to just the left mirror and doesn't affect the right mirror.
....sigh....
looks like I'll have to send it back!

More like you should spend a few hours RTFM!

Any of you having similar problems?

Only if they didn't RTFM.