DSG in the wet

[notflyingscot]

After three mths ownership driving today for first time on wet roads. Found it very difficult to get the Superb 7 speed away on uphill starts without embarrassing axle tramp. Is there a knack in getting underway smoothly in the wet with these transmissions? Wouldn't consider myself inexperienced after forty odd years in cars and HGVs.

[wai]

If you have a conventional handbrake, try a handbrake hill start.

The problem is the delay between applying accelerator and the clutch engaging. It's around 1/4 second, and during this time, the car will roll back slightly. Then the clutch bites and launches you, only in the wet there will be some slip.

[Albervin]

I assume your car doesn't have the hill assist or whatever it is called. When I stop on a hill I have plenty of time to take foot off brake and gently apply throttle without fear of rolling back. What setting do you have on the DSG, auto or manual? Maybe try both and see if that helps.

[Ryan_R]

Manual mode, go soft on the gas until the clutch is back in and the rpm is around 3000 before squeezing it in more.

Whiteline have suspension products that can help, and you can look at better tyres. The AWD variants are the best at fast starts on wet roads with no loss of traction.

If you want to ensure hill hold assist is active just make sure you push hard on the brake pedal when stopped.

[Guest001]

After three mths ownership driving today for first time on wet roads. Found it very difficult to get the Superb 7 speed away on uphill starts without embarrassing axle tramp. Is there a knack in getting underway smoothly in the wet with these transmissions? Wouldn't consider myself inexperienced after forty odd years in cars and HGVs.

LOL I tried to drag a V8 Cruiser the other day and got axle tramp on a slightly uphill sloping DRY road.

Lots of power these Passats ROFL

[notflyingscot]

Laid up currently with broken ribs so not doing much driving. Looks like just have to experiment with some of the suggestions supplied. Nice transmissions when on the move but have to admit not always easy to keep it smooth in slow stop / start stuff.
Fortunately I'm past commuting so don't have to endure too much stop / start traffic.

[blutopless2]

if you are having trouble with smooth take offs then you have an issue with the gearbox. They should be smooth ALL the time. I never experienced axle tramp in my Jetta with ~ 180kW, dry or wet etc... I had the DSG replaced eventually coz I could never get a smooth take off, and eventually it started clunking on gear changes. Initially i thought the take off issue was the way I drove it, but it wasn't. The new gearbox was fantastically smooth at all times... such a difference.

[Martin]

After three mths ownership driving today for first time on wet roads. Found it very difficult to get the Superb 7 speed away on uphill starts without embarrassing axle tramp. Is there a knack in getting underway smoothly in the wet with these transmissions?

So over the past 3 months in the dry you have not have a problem with smooth starts?

Generally we only get axle tramp from launch starts
but poor wet performance/grip from the tyres can give rise to axle tramp
Uphill in the wet is a worst case scenario for FWD - tyre pressures and tyre quality may be a factor

[Guest001]

So over the past 3 months in the dry you have not have a problem with smooth starts?

Generally we only get axle tramp from launch starts
but poor wet performance/grip from the tyres can give rise to axle tramp
Uphill in the wet is a worst case scenario for FWD - tyre pressures and tyre quality may be a factor

Too much right foot is another way of inducing axle tramp. Was sole reason for my previous post.

Softly softly get there in one piece LOL

[notflyingscot]

I think its just a case of either getting used to the "hill holder" or reverting to conventional handbrake hill starts in the wet. I actually bought the Superb after being really happy with a new rental Skoda I drove in the UK (which sadly was written off as we sat stationary at a junction but that's another story!) I remember having the same issue early on when driving that one however you get a lot more opportunity to practice wet road uphill starts in Scotland than one does here