DSG driving advice

[ParaBul]

What happened both times was that I was on a slight decline so I must have let foot off the brake and the car started rolling when lights went green - I then proceed to step on the accelerator (forgetting I am still in neutral) then when I realise I am not and car revs it's tits off and doesn't move, I can't get it from N to D because my foot is NOT on the brakes. In stepping on the brakes (sudden stop) car behind me also needs to jam on their brakes !!!!! Fk me ... worst experience ever

I suggest to not go into N

I've had the same experience, so I've learned to be paranoid. If I go into neutral, I leave my foot hard on the brake, and my left hand on the shifter. When it's time to move, select D (or more usually, M), then release the brake.

[nat225]

The last time i learned the hard way of not using hand brake start on a slope was when i was a L driver...

[wai]

I've had the same experience, so I've learned to be paranoid. If I go into neutral, I leave my foot hard on the brake, and my left hand on the shifter. When it's time to move, select D (or more usually, M), then release the brake.

I wouldn't do that. Too much to go wrong. Also, when you put the transmission into drive, the clutch will initially try to engage, and you might find there is more wear on the clutch doing this.

I asked the NSW RMS back in 2001, what the rule was on having the transmission in neutral when stopped in traffic or at lights. They replied saying

An applicant would not be failed for putting the car in neutral when stopped for a period of time. Care would have to be taken that he did not put the car in neutral before it had stopped, that the vehicle was properly secured when stopped and that he had the car ready to move off when the lights turned etc.

This means that the foot on the brake with the transmission in neutral is not enough. The parking/handbrake would have to be applied.

[Sunny43.5]

Not quite what was meant ParaBul , I have "lived "at this location for 35 years so just about everyday I reverse out and drive away . Now my everyday drive is a Transporter T5 2.0 manual nothing fancy at all but bloody reliable .It is the second VW Transporter manual I have used for work and I have never had to do a handbrake start on "this" hill with either of them . Now the other two family vans since 2000 a 2000 T4 auto and then our 2004 T5 Tiptronic , never rolled backwards down the hill and also never needed a handbrake to do the same manoeuvre . So why would I need to do this with a DSG if it rolls backwards then it is not suitable for the purpose of use . By the way I can do a handbrake start if needed with my eyes closed . After holding my license for now 46 years I would love to think that I am a reasonable driver who can use a car as it is supposed to be used . If you want proof of how steep our hill is we live on the highest residential land on the southside of Brisbane . To give you some perspective this hill has claimed several vehicles that have runaway whilst parked {groan} one of those was my work van which did a runner last year , yes the handbrake was on and in gear but the discs were hot when I stopped and when they cooled 25 minutes later it rolled away backwards against 1st gear . DSG ? not convinced its the bees knees give me a torque converter auto any day .

[wai]

To give you some perspective this hill has claimed several vehicles that have runaway whilst parked {groan} one of those was my work van which did a runner last year , yes the handbrake was on and in gear but the discs were hot when I stopped and when they cooled 25 minutes later it rolled away backwards against 1st gear.

There is absolutely no way that any vehicle should be able to roll if a manual transmission is just left in 1st gear (i.e. no handbrake applied). Even a low compression engine would provide enough of an obstruction to stop it turning over.

This is also why the front wheels should always be turned towards the kerb.

[Tuan]

I've had the same experience, so I've learned to be paranoid. If I go into neutral, I leave my foot hard on the brake, and my left hand on the shifter. When it's time to move, select D (or more usually, M), then release the brake.

Doing this is exactly what screwed me mate.. Putting into NEUTRAL whilst handbrake was UP at the lights. This lead to:

1) Lights turn green
2) Handbrake off
3) Accelerate and whoops not in gear !!!!
4) Try to get in gear .. nope can't do that because foot not on brake .. 5hit !!
5) Stomp on brakes to get into gear
6) Red faced and profusely apologising to car behind me for brain fart

I am sure not many will make this error - I just don't drive the DSG enough to remember to do the right thing 100% of the time so it stays in DRIVE at traffic lights from now on !

[PassatB6]

Just drive the car normally as if it was an automatic. All these manoeuvres probably make no difference at all.

[Sunny43.5]

Sorry Wai but mine does roll backwards easily in first gear , after the incident I repeated the same parking without handbrake and it rolled away easily . Remember the Transporter weighs in at around 1800kgs empty add a couple of hundred kg in load and its a lot to hold . The van has over 260000kays and is very tired in the engine department . It drives great once on the move I regularly do long distances for work and has never let me down . I just have to exercise more and yank the handbrake off the floor to hold on the hill . Many years ago I owned a 6cyl Holden powered CFS Bedford van with auto , I backed out one day shoved it into drive and tore the spline clean off the end off the rear axle actually snapped the end right off shows how good the hill is .

[CSX66]

We've had a DSG equipped Jetta for 9 years now and no troubles. We just bought a DSG equipped CC and I note the two boxes behave quite differently. The Jetta is a 2006 Diesel and the CC is a 2012 Petrol V6. The Jetta will ride the clutch if you don't put your foot on the brake. You can feel the clutch disengage when you pull up at the lights and put your foot on the brake. You don't need the handbrake for hill starts or waiting at the light. Just put your foot on the brake pedal. When the light turns green you move your foot to the accelerator and away you go. Even hill starts the clutch takes up quick enough when you release the brake and move your foot to the accelerator that you don't roll backwards the clutch slips and holds you and as you accelerate it locks up. This is just the same as if you were in a manual, you would slip the clutch a little to get away smoothly on a hill.

The CC being newer feels a bit different. I put this down to the auto hold function which we usually leave on. In most instances there is no need to put your foot on the brake as the system applies the brake automatically and disengages the clutch. Where it feels a bit weird is when you are parking or reversing as the system is braking while you are trying to ease into a park the clutch feels like it has a bit of a delay to engage as the brake disengages which is disconcerting. When reversing it feels like the brakes are engaging automatically and the car doesn't roll back smoothly on it's own. You need to give it a little gas the get it to override the automatic braking. It's not bad it just feels different to what I've been used to.

Cheers

Mike