DSG "S" mode is a bit bonkers!

[Corey_R]

I think that the 23.9hours of the 24 in the redline may be an exaggeration.... it's the Nurburgring, not Talladega afterall. But yeah - the Scirocco 24 hour cars are pretty cool. They have some APR parts in those engine bays! But best of all, they're using standard 6sp DSGs! It's given a lot of people more faith in the 6sp DSG, and enough for companies like APR to produce some monsters like this (speedo in MPH).

[MaccaTSI]

Agreed, sport mode is a bit mental. I've found as well at times, when braking for a roundabout for example that it changes down gears just as I'm just starting to accelerate again. Causes some confusion in the gearbox I guess and doesn't make for the smoothest of gear changes!

I'm using manual mode a lot more now

[ozgti]

However, on the DSG models, you'd also need a DSG reflash to adjust the shifting points of the DSG.

How do you do the reflash? I'm getting sick of bugger all action in 1st gear unless I floor it, then it takes off, but a bit much for city driving. S gives great gears, but doesn't get into 4th easily so I have to switch between the 2. Sometimes I wish I bought a manual!

[cameronp]

How do you do the reflash? I'm getting sick of bugger all action in 1st gear unless I floor it, then it takes off, but a bit much for city driving. S gives great gears, but doesn't get into 4th easily so I have to switch between the 2. Sometimes I wish I bought a manual!

Interesting description ... I haven't found that at all with my 7DSG. Initial acceleration in D mode is almost flawless: "almost" because there's the initial fraction of a second of hesitation as the DSG finds first gear and lets the clutch out, which all the car reviewers moan about, perhaps because you have to try pretty hard to find things to complain about with the DSG. Unless I floor it (and spin the wheels and trip the traction control), I get smooth acceleration moving up gently through the gears. I have to keep reminding myself to apply the throttle gently in normal driving, because otherwise the DSG will hold all of the gears to 3000-4000 rpm and I'll leave everyone else behind at the traffic lights thinking I'm a boy racer with some kind of point to prove to the world

(Normally when driving a manual I just mash the pedal all the way and control my acceleration using the gears. That doesn't work so well with an automatic.)

So from a rational point of view, I think the DSG is a superior transmission in every way. But driving without a clutch pedal is still more of a relaxing experience than an involved or engaging one, so I can understand why a lot of people would still prefer to drive a manual.

[ozgti]

Mine changes to 2nd at about 15kph. unless I give it a decent bit of pedal, it's really sluggish. Smooth, but sluggish.

[Corey_R]

How do you do the reflash? I'm getting sick of bugger all action in 1st gear unless I floor it, then it takes off, but a bit much for city driving. S gives great gears, but doesn't get into 4th easily so I have to switch between the 2. Sometimes I wish I bought a manual!

Put your foot down more then. I'm not sure that a DSG reflash would change the car from trying to save fuel if you're driving economically
As far as I know, DSG reflashes are still pretty rare. I'm not sure if they're available at all for 7sp DSG, or just the 6sp DSG (where "some" aftermarket ECU companies claim they're required to achieve maximum power). APR do not have one commerically available (or not on their website anyway), however it has been observed that their Stage 4 GTI has had a DSG flash done on it since it doesn't shift until about 7250rpm - but then, that car has had it's engine internals upgraded (hence the Stage 4).... anyway, to summarise, I'm really not sure you're looking in the right direction

[logger]

However, on the DSG models, you'd also need a DSG reflash to adjust the shifting points of the DSG.

Actually no need for DSG reflash, the APR stage I ECU upgrade on my tsi118 seems to change the DSG shift points. Difference is quite noticeable if you go looking for it. My probably incorrect assumption, is that crosstalk goes on between the Engine and DSG controllers. If the Engine reports it is running out of steam, a shift can be implemented.

Actually now that I think about it I s'pose it depends how the shift points are defined. Because the tune has more grunt, it can hold a given rpm going up a particular hill, no down change occurs. In stock, it runs out of steam, the revs drop and a down change is triggered. So DSG change point is still at same rpm (or whatever the criteria is) but different engine performance between tunes, means shifts occur at different points on the same road, all else being equal.

[Corey_R]

I doubt that the APR ECU Flash has changed the DSG shift points directly, I think it's more that the DSG is adapting to the higher power and torque.... (I'm happy to defer to Guy H with this though, he is obviously 'The Word' when it comes to these things! )

So yeah - I think your 2nd paragraph is more on the money

[AdamD]

Actually now that I think about it I s'pose it depends how the shift points are defined. Because the tune has more grunt, it can hold a given rpm going up a particular hill, no down change occurs. In stock, it runs out of steam, the revs drop and a down change is triggered. So DSG change point is still at same rpm (or whatever the criteria is) but different engine performance between tunes, means shifts occur at different points on the same road, all else being equal.

I'm sure this is the case. I would expect the DSG takes into account (at least) engine RPM, road speed (and change therein over time - acceleration or deceleration), engine torque and throttle position when deciding on shiftpoints and gear preselection. After all, it needs to cope quite well with the standard engine tune under varying loads - extra passengers and luggage, towing a trailer, very steep inclines, etc. Nothing as simple as a basic hashmap would suffice, surely.

[G-rig]

I never use sports mode, holds it in gear too long and not even convinces it's faster.