Seeking Guidance for 155TSI possible DSG issue

[golfandtiguan]

Hi everyone,
Tried searching this topic, but couldn't find anything specific to the 155TSI.
Let me start by stating that I'm not new to VWs, the DSG and all the other great technology ze Germans add in.

My mum bought a beautiful new 5N MY13 Tiguan 155TSI (4 motion) with the 7sp DSG - absolutely love it!

But she's been complaining of what she believes is a gear change issue down low, and mum's no dill when it comes to cars. (Car is about to clock 2000km)

The symptoms, low speed, low gears, feels like a clutch is slipping, and then 'thump' into gear, but no power surge.

Apparently, it occurs more after a heat cycle, e.g. from cold start it is fine, drive for an hour, stop, do the shopping, get back in and it starts to happen.

Spoke to a dealer service guy about it, and he suggested it might be a simple computer upgrade to adjust shift points :;dk

I've read a lot of the posts on this forum about dodgy DSGs, and if I've read correctly, sounds like it is the newer dry-clutch 7 speeds that seem to be really problematic.

So, my thoughts (haven't driven it to experience it):
- Problem with DSG, can be fixed with computer (kinda like F1 cars doing controlled burnouts to reset the clutch bite point)
- Problem with DSG, clutch pack slipping, replace it.
- Problem with DSG, new box

Where I'm not sure is with the 4-motion integration, would that cause similar symptoms?

What ever the solution, it needs to be VAG/VGA approved - I know APR are doing performance mods, but I'm not interested in modifications.

Would appreciate any thoughts from the wider VW Owners community.

[NZTiguan]

Can't be any help as I purposely stuck to the 6 speed auto with my 2013 Tig BUT I can tell you the DSG on the Tig is a wet clutch unit not a dry one.

Cheers

[tigger73]

There seem to be a lot less problems with the Tiguan DQ500 7 speed (wet clutch) DSG than all the issues reported with the DQ200 7 speed dry clutch DSG in the smaller engine/power output Golfs.

If I were you (or your mum) I'd call the dealer and let them know about the issue and arrange to bring it into them when it is exhibiting the "fault". They may say it is "normal", however it's really hard for them to diagnose the problem when it's not happening.

You will notice a difference between driving in "D" which does change smoother and "S" where the gears do change down more aggressively.

I have the APR DSG software upgrade on my car and have to say that it makes the car drive a whole lot better. The downsides are that it will void your warranty and is not cheap, however it does fix a lot of the shifting issues of the standard DSG program.

[z1000]

In short, there is no official solution from VWA. Sadly VWA denies and ignores the problem every time (I am fed up dealing with dealers and VWA for the last 18months), and seriusly I cannot be the only one complaining about it.

I believe dsg tune or a new steering wheel with shifter buttons are out of question for you.

In most cases, you can get around the issue by manually shift down to 1st gear for a more responsive take off, as the dsg resists going down to 1st unless coming to a complete stop.

So as a city car I totally hate it, but out on the open road it is a dream to drive.

[Guy_H]

Our DQ500 DSG flash takes care of that - the exact symptoms you describe are part of VW / Audi's "Economy Strategy" that will run the car in too high a gear (to lower the rpm & theoretically get better consumption) but at the sacrifice of clutch wear (the clutch slip you describe). Imagine if it was a 7 speed manual & you are trying to take off on a steep hill in 3rd - that's effectively what the standard programming does to you (most noticeably under 20kmph).

DQ 500

[Tiggy155]

Our DQ500 DSG flash takes care of that - the exact symptoms you describe are part of VW / Audi's "Economy Strategy" that will run the car in too high a gear (to lower the rpm & theoretically get better consumption) but at the sacrifice of clutch wear (the clutch slip you describe). Imagine if it was a 7 speed manual & you are trying to take off on a steep hill in 3rd - that's effectively what the standard programming does to you (most noticeably under 20kmph).

DQ 500

I recon VWA should chuck in at least half of that APR DSG tune price, then I would def consider it. But at that price ill just put up with the split personality "D" and "S" mode.

[golfandtiguan]

Guy, thanks for the feedback, but woah, $1200

I spoke to a Dealer technician about the issue, and he said to bring it in, they can change the shift points in the computer. He seemed to be familiar with the symptoms.

I certainly don't want my retired parents having to fork out $1200.

So the consensus would be a software update can fix the issue?

[Guy_H]

If the clutches are not damaged, then maybe the VW fix might help. The problem they have is the inbuilt high gear slip that prematurely wears the clutches out and I have never seen VW program that out!

It's fine if you turn the cars over every 3 years as it becomes the next owners problem.

[golfandtiguan]

Thanks Guy.
The car only has 2000km on it, I'll get VW to at least have a crack at it.

lol at passing on the problem

[Wynnston]

I've had the same issue with my 155. Exactly as you've explained. I've taken mine back to the dealer and they've supposedly done a software fix but it's rubbish. I'm afraid the only fix I've found would be the HP DSG tune.

It's a sod of a thing that tries to change gears way too early. Shifting it into "S" helps but it's not ideal as "S" makes you look like an idiot when your pottering around town. Thankfully I live in the country so I don't stop/start much and I've got a flappy paddle steering wheel so I drive it in manual a lot. It's just embarrassing when I have passengers and your trying to find a carpark or your just in stop and go traffic.

Having said all of that, if I lived in a regular stop/start environment (city) then I would certainly get the DSG tune from HP. $1200 isn't much when you consider the cost of a new DQ500 out of warranty and it means the next x years of ownership are much more pleasant.

On a positive note all 2013+ cars have 5 years 150,000km warranties on the DSG now.
Warranties < Technology & Service < Volkswagen Australia