DSG: Problems, Questions, Likes and Dislikes

**Mountainman** · 19-10-2011, 03:23 PM

Originally Posted by Corey_R

Yeah Roddy, it's why I make a point of "correcting people" when they say that the DSG is an automatic.

However, like a torque converter automatic and unlike a left foot clutch manual, it changes gears automatically - so therefore it's an automatic. Where does it say that having a clutch makes it a manual? Or where does it say an automatic needs to have a torque converter? Doesn't automatic mean it will change gears for you automatically? Which is exactly what a DSG will do and a left foot clutch manual never will.

**Ryan_R** · 19-10-2011, 03:26 PM

Indeed, it took me a week or two to adapt to it, but the fault that many of us describe is something that appeared later on during ownership, a long time after 'learning' the new techniques.

The worst thing about the DSG issues for me is the start-stop traffic I've been in recently. What annoys me is that I can't really use manual mode at such low speeds, since if I'm doing about 9kph in D, it stays in 2nd (sometimes riding the clutch), but in Manual mode it'll switch to 1st a lot earlier, which ends up being a lot more jerky. But yeah, start/stop driving is really bad atm: clunks, hops, shudders, the lot.

**Corey_R** · 19-10-2011, 03:27 PM

Whatever Mountainman. I was very clear in saying that it is "mechanically a manual". If you can't understand what I was saying, your loss.

**Mountainman** · 19-10-2011, 03:34 PM

Originally Posted by Corey_R

Whatever Mountainman. I was very clear in saying that it is "mechanically a manual". If you can't understand what I was saying, your loss.

But what's the point of "correcting people" when they refer to it as an automatic when for most of them most of the time that is exactly what the DSG does and is? Does it really need a torque converter to make it an automatic?

**Alok** · 19-10-2011, 03:43 PM

To the end user the functionality is intended to be the same. That is, traditional automatics (with torque converter) and Dual Clutch Automatics, both change gears automatically. To people who don't know or care about car mechanics there are only 2 categories, you either have a manual or automatic.

There needs to probably be a distinction between the car and the gearbox. The gearbox is a manual, add on the mechatronic unit (seperate part of the car that controls the clutches) and the car is an automatic.

Considering it is both Automatic and Manual (depending on how you look at it), referring to it as either you will be correct and incorrect at the same time. It probably needs a category of it's on. Dual-Clutch Automatic is too much of a mouthful

**Ryan_R** · 19-10-2011, 03:45 PM

I don't drive my DSG the same way I would an auto. My dad one tried to move my car out of our driveway (going forwards while parked on an uphill slope) and treated it like any auto. I looked on to see him not going anyway for a second, then panic as it started to go backwards.

We now have two nice black lines on our driveway

**Alok** · 19-10-2011, 03:50 PM

Yeah that's a good point Ryan_R. Although both an Automatic and DSG shift gear automatically they do behave differently. And if you go in to a DSG thinking it's an automatic, you will expect it to have a torque converter (i.e. it will not roll on slight inclines).

Just because you get in to it and see there is no clutch pedal doesn't mean it will behave the same as your automatic Camry.

If the DSG behaved EXACTLY the same as a Automatic then there will be no need for the distinction, but the fact it is does not behave the same as a automatic gearbox with a torque converter.

**Mountainman** · 19-10-2011, 03:58 PM

I don't think the definition is in the behaviour but rather the fact that if a gearbox will change gears automatically (which a DSG does) then it can be an automatic. Sure, you can change gears manually with it too but then you can do that with most torque converter automatics also.

**Alok** · 19-10-2011, 04:03 PM

Originally Posted by Mountainman

I don't think the definition is in the behaviour but rather the fact that if a gearbox will change gears automatically (which a DSG does) then it can be an automatic. Sure, you can change gears manually with it too but then you can do that with most torque converter automatics also.

What you said is contradictory, changing gears automatically is a behaviour. What I'm trying to point out is that it is not the ONLY behaviour. There is more to it that just changing gears automatically.