DSG woes in The Age

[ill0gitech]

or you may not have been givne the run down on how to use the gearbox effectively.

I keep seeing this posted, along with comments that its an automated manual, not an automatic.
Since neither my VW dealer, nor the manual tell you how to use the DSG "effectively", I'd love to know how you're "supposed" to use it.

The clearest comments in the book about how to use it are: Don't press the accelerator when selecting a gear (with reference to moving through PRDS (not 1-7) and if the DSG overheats, drive faster or leave the car parked.

NB: This isn't a dig, this is a legitimate comment, I would like to know.

[AdamD]

I agree 100%. VW Australia have been dragging their feet, making up baloney about how Japan has a special climate.
I want VW to fix the 6 speed DSG issues, too.

To be honest, I seriously doubt VW will offer a recall on the 6-speed box given the circumstances. The DQ250 has improved a lot in terms of reliability over the last few years, but AFAIK that's been as a result of small changes (software updates, internal part revisions) rather than anything major. There's been no recall on that box since 2009 anywhere in the world that I'm aware of.

Your car and box are out of warranty, and the box did actually work normally for the period under which it was covered, correct? I suspect that earlier revisions of the DQ250 are simply more prone to failing over time - all the VW DSGs are flawed in that respect to a greater or lesser extent - and yours has failed outside of the warranty period. That failure may well be as a result of the inherent design rather than any specific identifiable fault, and hence, VW won't act on it.

My guess is your best bet would be to take the tack that the gearbox failed in a shorter period than a reasonable person would expect the gearbox to last - which makes it not fit for purpose. Irrespective of whether the VW warranty is still in effect, consumer protection legislation is supposed to be able to protect you under such circumstances. Of course that all means you'd likely need to take the matter to court...

[brad]

I keep seeing this posted, along with comments that its an automated manual, not an automatic.
Since neither my VW dealer, nor the manual tell you how to use the DSG "effectively", I'd love to know how you're "supposed" to use it.

The clearest comments in the book about how to use it are: Don't press the accelerator when selecting a gear (with reference to moving through PRDS (not 1-7) and if the DSG overheats, drive faster or leave the car parked.

NB: This isn't a dig, this is a legitimate comment, I would like to know.

Relevant question

Does this help at all?
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/2000144

[Blackdakdak]

Have to agree with illogitech. I have driven for over 30 years, manuals and autos. Cars and trucks and bikes. The DSG takes me back to learning in my grandads non syncro hillman minx. Jerky as hell in D mode 1 to 2, then fine. S-mode = jerky up and down thru the gears and mine sticks for too long in 2, not changing up until you ease off, then it bogs down into 3. But within specs apparently. Manual mode....with 7 gears why inflict this on yourself and not why i bought an auto ( or auto manual).

I know that delicate and varying throttle control is the key to driving the dsg smoothly, but why should it need this amount if thought or work. It is not progress. Apart from fuel economy (excellent) it is no improvement on the 4 speed auto of my 2003 subie, and at times as bad as the '3 on the tree' of my old valiant.

The dealer did say it took some time to get used to a dsg, but nearly 2 years on it still surprises me and catches me out.

And i drive 45000k a year so i am not some old fart that cant drive beyond 20 kph.

I like the car. I just think the gearbox is poorly configured/programmed and overly complex, and that vwa simply do not care.

[team_v]

I keep seeing this posted, along with comments that its an automated manual, not an automatic.
Since neither my VW dealer, nor the manual tell you how to use the DSG "effectively", I'd love to know how you're "supposed" to use it.

The clearest comments in the book about how to use it are: Don't press the accelerator when selecting a gear (with reference to moving through PRDS (not 1-7) and if the DSG overheats, drive faster or leave the car parked.

NB: This isn't a dig, this is a legitimate comment, I would like to know.

I believe it is explained in the owners manual but i would have to check.
It was explained to me by the dealer when i was in the process of ordering my car that the DSG box learns the way you drive and takes time to adapt to your driving style so it will not be as simple as the old slushbox auto's were to drive with.
Additionally, it will constantly be expecting the next gear change so when you ask it to do something outside of those parameters it has to think about what it should do (i.e. at traffic lights i believe it selects 2nd, but if you floor it, the car has to change back to first which it wasn't prepared for)

Again, this is somehting that should be explained by VW upon delivery of hte vehicle however we do know that most dealerships are run by people who are not brand enthusiasts and in most cases we would know more about hte car than they do.


For the DQ50 the issue seems to be the box favours fuel economy and thus selects higher gears earlier than most people would normally do.
The general fix for now is to get a DSG tune to have it favour regular driving/sports driving however you lose fuel economy that way from what i have read.

[Finance_Analyst]

I believe it is explained in the owners manual but i would have to check.
It was explained to me by the dealer when i was in the process of ordering my car that the DSG box learns the way you drive and takes time to adapt to your driving style so it will not be as simple as the old slushbox auto's were to drive with.
Additionally, it will constantly be expecting the next gear change so when you ask it to do something outside of those parameters it has to think about what it should do (i.e. at traffic lights i believe it selects 2nd, but if you floor it, the car has to change back to first which it wasn't prepared for)

Again, this is somehting that should be explained by VW upon delivery of hte vehicle however we do know that most dealerships are run by people who are not brand enthusiasts and in most cases we would know more about hte car than they do.


For the DQ50 the issue seems to be the box favours fuel economy and thus selects higher gears earlier than most people would normally do.
The general fix for now is to get a DSG tune to have it favour regular driving/sports driving however you lose fuel economy that way from what i have read.

I for one was never told what to do - all the manual says is to not roll it in netural. Seems everyone has a theory on what to do and not do. Case in point - putting box in netural at red lights. I drive it like a normal auto and have not had any major issues touchwood. But VW's image is down the toilet nonetheless on this one

[wogboy_9000]

On their website but in only applies to specific vehicles. Conjecture between vehicles still with new vehicle warranty or only on new vehicles... See here for exact statement:
Warranties < Technology & Service < Volkswagen Australia

For specifics on if oyur vehicle is covered, I would check with your closest reputable dealership

I called the dealer a month back. It only applies to 2013+ model golfs.

[gavs]

I believe they've always done the right thing by most of the customers and you know very well that some people can't be pleased, nomatter what.



But, that media pressure is using the stories that aren't related to the DSG faults, for them it's enough if the car has the VW badge. Well, it only confirms that the media paparazi will do anything for what could look like a good story. How easy we forgot?

I agree and disagree Miro. I agree that yes, the way this whole this started is irrelevant but irrespective of that I strongly disagree with the premise that they do right by most of their customers. I think that I am yet to read or hear any comments that are favourable or truthful from anyone who has either purchased a VW, had their VW repaired due to being defective, dealt with customer care or even the higher levels if VGA in the last 2 years. Call me skeptical but all the positive remarks I read about how good someone's purchasing experience was are followed a couple of months later with negatives about the post sale dealings. Yes, I am tarred with the brush of despite against VGA since the first lie exited the salesman's mouth (coincidently as soon as the contract of sale was signed) with buying my polo but I also like to think I am a realist.

Do you honestly, in your gut, believe that VAG actually care about us as customers, or their bottom line at the shareholder meetings? I have been fighting this exact cause because I knew for absolute, 0% doubt that the mechatronics units in Australian delivered cars were the same as the other markets. I also knew that through another source that they were never going to do anything without an almighty push ala media or a public court case. They figured that their budgets for both possible actions were very large and figured that with the copious advertising they poured into the media (have a look at the last 3 years cars guides in Fridays herald suns, take note of how nearly every second page reviews, rates or advertises VAG product) would protect them and it almost did. It was brave of the age and the threats VGA put forward which ultimately resulted in the pulling of their funding backfired, especially when on top of corporate bullying, customer bullying (not just that one article has occurred and not just OzVWCrap either) was also employed as a tactic to shut people up and go away. Fortunately for us, the age ran the story about it and we are all wiser to the tactics employed.

[sunny]

how long is the check up for the DSG issue?

[Water Boy]

Get a car with 3 pedals.