DSG queries.

[nuroc]

I have read that you shouldn't hold the DSG on the brakes when stationary and left in D (or S) as you can with a torque converter automatic. I read that it should be put into N or P so as not to damage the clutch. Is that true?

I also want to know if when you are driving with the DSG in D (or S) you can knock it down a gear or two with the paddles (i.e over-ride it), and would the DSG revert to automatic and change back up if you left it for a certain period?

[Anakin]

I put mine in neutral if im sat at the lights or stopped for more than 15 sec or so. It wont hurt thats for sure.

And yes it reverts back to D or S mode if you over ride it and then dont change manually for a while (or if you break or stop it also does)

[nuroc]

Ta.

[Kev]

You can also hold the right paddle in for 3-5secs and it reverts back to D mode.

I always sit at lights in D with the brakes on. I think it disengages when you've stopped and only re-engages when you come off the brakes again.

[discowill]

I'm sure I read in the VW booklet that you were supposed to keep the car in D when stopping briefly, i.e. traffic lights.

Nuroc, its probably best if you get your manual out and take a look.

[popjunkie]

I've always sat at the lights in D, even in my previous Golf GT Sport which also had the same DSG gearbox. Absolutely no problems.

[Shaun]

As above, the clutch is disengaged when sat so no problems leaving it in D

[scimitar]

Always put mine in neutral if going to be stopped for more than a few secs- Really annoys the driver behind if you sit on the brake lights at night. The Manual advises just sitting on the brakes but advice I have been given is that selecting neutral is kinder on the box

[spaz]

If every time you stop at lights you move the selector up to N then put handbrake on to avoid "annoying other drivers" in urban areas you'll be making so many changes to N and back you might as well bought a manual and not a DSG!!!

[b0rk]

If you hold the downshift paddle under heavy breaking the box will sequentially work down through the gears, rather handy for track days...

[panhandle]

WHAT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO?!!

Sorry to be so melodramatic, but a clutch repair in this car will be thousands (esp if a new flywheel is needed too) so please does anybody actually know what is the correct thing to do when sitting at the lights - Given the quick response when you take your foot off the brake in D must mean that the clutch is engaged (eg slowly heating it up)? Surely knocking it into neutral is kinder to the box? I would expect that with town driving leaving it in D for "normal" set of lights ie 10 seconds or so it is fine to leave it in D or S (as Spaz says otherwise buy a manual). Anything longer and I have been putting it in neutral.

I've needed two clutch repairs in my old manual beemer (yes you may say dodgy driving but it wasnt - the dealer repaired FOC eventually) but the bill they tried to give me was for thousands and they can actually show you the "hotspots" and as such such prove you are liable.

I dont want the same thing again!

[Kev]

When the car is stationary the clutch isn't engaged. There is a fraction of a second when nothing happens before the car starts to move. That's when the clutch engages. It's completely normal to sit with your foot on the brake in D.

[dougroc]

This is my 3rd auto that I have owned I have always sat at the lights in D and never had any problems at all. All cars been had for exactly 3 years.

[Shaun]

WHAT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO?!!

Sorry to be so melodramatic, but a clutch repair in this car will be thousands (esp if a new flywheel is needed too) so please does anybody actually know what is the correct thing to do when sitting at the lights - Given the quick response when you take your foot off the brake in D must mean that the clutch is engaged (eg slowly heating it up)? Surely knocking it into neutral is kinder to the box? I would expect that with town driving leaving it in D for "normal" set of lights ie 10 seconds or so it is fine to leave it in D or S (as Spaz says otherwise buy a manual). Anything longer and I have been putting it in neutral.

I've needed two clutch repairs in my old manual beemer (yes you may say dodgy driving but it wasnt - the dealer repaired FOC eventually) but the bill they tried to give me was for thousands and they can actually show you the "hotspots" and as such such prove you are liable.

I dont want the same thing again!

As i wrote above the clutch is disengaged when sat in D, no need to knock it into N

[ayeaye]

WHAT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO?!!

Sorry to be so melodramatic, but a clutch repair in this car will be thousands (esp if a new flywheel is needed too) so please does anybody actually know what is the correct thing to do when sitting at the lights - Given the quick response when you take your foot off the brake in D must mean that the clutch is engaged (eg slowly heating it up)? Surely knocking it into neutral is kinder to the box? I would expect that with town driving leaving it in D for "normal" set of lights ie 10 seconds or so it is fine to leave it in D or S (as Spaz says otherwise buy a manual). Anything longer and I have been putting it in neutral.

I've needed two clutch repairs in my old manual beemer (yes you may say dodgy driving but it wasnt - the dealer repaired FOC eventually) but the bill they tried to give me was for thousands and they can actually show you the "hotspots" and as such such prove you are liable.

I dont want the same thing again!

Don't buy a car with DSG then?

The manual does say to leave it in D when stationary at traffic lights etc., so even outside the warranty period I would be arguing with VW that I was driving in accordance with their instructions, so if the clutch needed repair/replacement and they deemed it to be due to sitting in D at lights, they would be paying for it.

[mike-p]

This is my second DSG car, I always knock it into N at lights or in stationary traffic. Never had an issue with either gearbox over 75,000 miles.

[Cuprabob]

I've driven a DSG R32 for 5yrs and 78k miles and just leave it in D when I'm stopped. Clutch is disengaged so no need to worry. I would be more concerned with the wear on the gear selection mechanism if I was continually switching between neutral and D.

Most important thing for the DSG box is the oil and filter change every 40k miles. VW won't entertain any warranty or goodwill on the box if this has not been carried out to the letter.

Stop worrying anddrive it