DSG Gearbox question

[drad81]

This is the first car I have driven with a DSG gearbox so am maybe not used to it but when driving off from standstill is the car supposed to feel/sound like the clutch is riding?
Almost feels like the stall converter is flaring.

Is this normal?

Also, is it only the golf GTI/R that have the pop sound when shifting through gears?

[Martin]

If the engine is reving and the car not making progress then you would have a problem that needs VW attention
When I'm in drive mode during rush hour traffic (light throttle usage) the DSG is in 3rd or sometimes 4th gear before getting across the intersection - so it chops up through the gears pretty quickly - no sensation of slipping, car making good progress

(The poping is probably the diverter valve and may only be noticeable on models running higher boost)

[tigger73]

I believe the pop you're referring to is related to the exhaust. Not sure if this is achievable on a TDI though.

Regards shifting if you're concerned I'd get it checked. If the clutch is slipping you'll seriously shorten the life of the clutch.

[Guy_H]

The TCU regulates clutch clamp - it slips / grips releases just like a human would do modulating a clutch pedal.

[Lucas_R]

Also, is it only the golf GTI/R that have the pop sound when shifting through gears?

The "pop" sound you are referring to is caused by the temporarily disabling ignition spark (controlled by the ecu) when the car is changing gear. This replicates a manual driver taking pressure off the throttle when about to change gears to ensure a smooth gear change.

The noise is apparent on all DSG 's but i think you will find its more audible on the GTI/R models. For example, one of my brothers has a Skoda Octavia TDI with DSG and you can hear the "pop" on his car from the outside but not really from the inside. Another brother has a Skoda Octavia vRS with DSG and the "pop" is a little more noticeable on his car - but not by much.

[drad81]

It's exactly as you described Guy. Rides clutch at about 2000rpm in first or second under light throttle just the same as a manual car.
Also noticed that it does the same reversing up a slope when you take the foot off the throttle.
I guess it's me that needs to get used to it.

[Guy_H]

It's exactly as you described Guy. Rides clutch at about 2000rpm in first or second under light throttle just the same as a manual car.
Also noticed that it does the same reversing up a slope when you take the foot off the throttle.
I guess it's me that needs to get used to it.

Cool Daniel- it can be a bit off putting at times, it has this real crawl mode to "gently" disengage the park lock is where is at the lightest pressure.

Wonder if the Alltrack has launch control

[drad81]

I haven't tried (yet ... will I ever grow up) but reading the manual it does make reference to launch control.

Also spoke to a friend that works for Audi and was told the sequence to put the car in "launch control mode".

[wai]

This is the first car I have driven with a DSG gearbox so am maybe not used to it but when driving off from standstill is the car supposed to feel/sound like the clutch is riding?
Almost feels like the stall converter is flaring.

Is this normal?

Also, is it only the golf GTI/R that have the pop sound when shifting through gears?

Ok. first thing. The DSG has conventional friction clutches. THERE IS NO STALL CONVERTER.

It is a dual clutch transmission (as in manual clutches). Think of it as having two gearboxes. One handles 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th (if yours is a 7 speed unit), and the other handles 2nd, 4th, and 6th. Don't worry about how reverse is selected, it just is.

When you come to a stop, you must keep your foot on the brake. When the car has stopped and your foot is on the brake, both clutches disengage. When you take your foot off the brake, a signal is sent to the transmission to start engaging the clutch for 1st gear. If you want to apply the hand brake and take your foot off the brake, you must put the transmission in neutral or park, otherwise you are riding the clutch, and this will burn it out. It does not matter whether it is a dry clutch system or a wet clutch system.

Why two gear trains and clutches? It speeds up changes as each train can pre-select a gear and when it comes time to change, it is just one clutch that releases and the other engages. This is much quicker and smoother.

So, you have to drive the car as though it was a manual that changes automatically rather than an automatic.

[Tom87]

They seem to do it alot with 2nd gear and you can get the impression from them that there's excessive clutch slipping going on. Reality is (for mine anyway) that it is better at using its clutch than you are at using a clutch but because you're the one judging the time it takes seems like an eternity.

So, when I'm not in the mood to ignore DSG's low speed antics I slip it into Manual mode and I find it drops back into 1st much more frequently without me prompting it to do so. And this feels much better, get a much more positive engagement at the expense of smoothness in stop start type traffic.