Hill Start Assist Advice

[GTI mk6]

Hi everyone,

firstly I have done a quick search on this subject (new to forums) and it didnt come up with any.....
I am sure someone will let me know otherwise

Only done 700kms in new GTI, but finding hill start assist makes a reasonable "creaking sound"
when about to accelerate when its activated.
Went to drive away from my work place after backing up to roller door last week and as I was on
a slight rise it was obviously enought to activate it....of course it creaked, next minute work mates
heads come up and all look in my direction like....."female drivers etc" was a bit embarrassed and
how "un" cool!

So does it get better with time, once brake pads have bedded in etc, or do you guys wait for it
to "de" activate before driving off? Not easy on a hill? I have a DSG gearbox by the way.
Seems worse when car is cold, but it wasnt cold when driving away from work.
Dont recall demo sounding this loud (radio was OFF by the way during 3 hr test drive) and ears
tuned to any noises.....
Should mention thats its not excessive or anything, just not keen on the "creak noise" each time

Thanks in advance

[sillygogo]

not sure on the GTI, however on the 118TSi, there is a creak noise if you accelerate straight away. I usually wait about 0.3 of a second. Kind of feeling the car start to roll back then you gentle accelerate. If its a really large incline..then use the hand brake to assist.

[cameronp]

Yeah, I get the same creak noise and the car almost starts to roll back as you pull away. I'd always assumed that this is normal. Smooth acceleration from a standstill is the one thing that a traditional automatic does better than a DSG.

I've also discovered that hill start assist doesn't function in reverse gear, i.e. if you're on a downhill slope, the car will initially roll forwards in reverse. Made for a bit of an embarrassing parallel parking moment as I narrowly avoided rolling into somebody else's car.

[ryano]

8000kms in and my GTI makes the same noise so its unlikely that it's going to go away, it doesn't sound that bad? Always figured it was just the way the system slowly disengages the brake

and I think the HSA still works in reverse, I back out of my driveway everyday, wait for the garage rollerdoor to go down while still in reverse and braking and the HSA always engages as my driveway is on a slight downward angle.

[Cossor]

I grew up on manual cars. was hard to adapt to auto. Must admit still keep foot on foot brake to ensure full control when moving off on any slope.
(Helps also at traffic light derby)

[MkVIGTI]

I let the hill start assist de-activate before applying throttle. A little bit of the creaking sound can still be heard but then again, the 6 speed DSG box in the GTI will not let you roll backwards like the new 7 speed ones so I guess it's easier to drive away with it de-activated.

[Mr_Bob]

Just a thought,
does it make the same noise when using launch control on a hill?

[GTI mk6]

Just a thought,
does it make the same noise when using launch control on a hill?

Sorry dont know as I havent tried that.

Thanks everyone though for your input and advise, had been thinking to wait a little for HSA to "dis"engage first.
Too used to either manual or full auto cars (first time Ive had HSA also)
Again great to get others input, this forum is a great way to find info (for this first time Golf & Euro owner)

[thelairster]

Hill start assist will make that noise. My dad's porsche does it so I expect it is something that you just have to get used to. +1 for lack of hill start assist in reverse causing a few moments! Still need that handbrake.

[docjames]

On my MkV the hill start seems to creak more the slower you move off the brake - release suddenly and hit the accelerator positivly (ie. not squeeze but press firmly to desired depth) and it seems to creak less. Slow release of brake and/or slow on accelerator and it does seem to creak a lot.

It's just the brakes releasing as the power transmits so it's not damaging anything (but does sound average).