DSG Issue

[Dazz-ler]

I have been the proud owner of a 170GT Scirocco for the past 2 weeks. I am genuinly impressed with the car as it drives and handles well but I've started to become a tad frustrated with the gear change on the DSG gear box. In 'D' it tends to change gear at 1600 rpm and will do this on flat roads at steady build up to speed. For me this is annoying as it means I end up in 6th gear at 40-45 mph and you can tell the engine is struggling. I even get a plastic buzzing noise for a few seconds whilst the engine gets its power back a steady level (I'm guessing its a bit of loose trim).

The question I have is can I take this to VW and ask them to alter the ratios? I know the idea is to achieve ultimate fuel economy but the engine will end up encountering problems shortly if something isn't altered. Whats more puzzling is when I'm cruising downhill with my foot off the gas the car changes into D3 despite the car traveling at 40mph. Aside from this the only time I can get the car to hold off the change is to put my foot down but in steady traffic this isn't viable.

I presume I re-map of the engine would be the way forward but I wouldn't want anyone other than VW doing it for cost and reliabilty issues.

Thanks in advance.

[Cuprabob]

Unfortunately that's the way it is and there is not much you can do about it other than drive it in manual mode. The ratios are fixed just like a normal gearbox

You'll soon get used to it. When i first got my R32 which was DSG i thought it always in too high a gear at first but soon learned to live with it and I kept it for 5 years

Remapping the engine will have no effect on where the gearbox changes

[Dazz-ler]

Perhaps the word re-map was the wrong way of putting it but surely the time of gear change can be altered? Is it not just a case of the maltronics being adapated in a way as to hold on the revs for a moment longer?

[Cuprabob]

I'm not aware of any software updates available for the mechatronics unit that change where it decides to change gear. One thing though I found with my R32 is that it would learn your driving style and you could control when it would change gear by using throttle control.

[RW1]

I think it would be worth your while having a chat at the dealers. What is happening isn't normal. DSG tends as said above, to drive at higher RPM than most would with a manual gearbox. So I think you have reason to go and discuss it with the dealer.

The gear changes are dependant on how the car is being driven but not as low as that. But maintain the engine in its optimum torque range.

That gear change with DSG to D3 is strange and not usual. The only time I get that sort of change is on a steep incline with the foot on the brake. To help me hill brake using the engine, the DSG changes down as much as 3 gears due to the incline's steepness. It only happens when my foot is on the brake. On mine it takes about 3 seconds to react.

Two things cross my mind. The Mechatronic Control Unit has a fault which not uncommon, especially the 6 speed DSG. And/or the brake light switch is being triggered by a slightly loose brake pedal on an incline without your foot on it.

C.

[simon090365]

I have a 2011 1.4 tsi with DSG box have no problem upto yet, i have the 7 speed box. I agree with the other people that it changes gears at higher revs. I tend to drive the car hard, as its learns your style of driving the DSG compensates. Try that for a few days 3-4 see how you get on.
Simon090365

[goatboy]

Does it rev more if you stick it in S? It should rev much closer to the redline (mine actually revs a little higher than I think is necessary).

If I am very light on the throttle I find mine does change quite early, but soon kicks down if you need it too!

[goatboy]

After seeing your post yesterday I paid a bit more attention to the DSG changes.
Mine also changes at about 1600-1700 rpm if being driven gently. I can't say the engine really labours though, its a pretty smooth transition for the level of throttle being applied.

Is your car brand new? Maybe the engine needs to loosen up a bit?

The DSG doesn't however change down whilst coasting downhill, it will only change down when the revs drop to about 1200-1400. What yours is doing sounds a little odd.

[infinidim]

It does sound a bit odd it changing down when going down hills. I agree with "RW1" I would certainly have a chat with a knowledgeable dealer technician about this.

[langley182]

This is all normal DSG behaviour.
Your right 'D' mode is highly economical and you're in 6th before you know it and 'S' is abit overkill for just cruising around.
I have a 2.0 tsi and agree also that DSG changes gear very low in the rev range when driving steady in 'D' but can't say it feels like it's labouring the engine at all.
Infact you'd expect the petrol to labour in low revs more than a diesel.
Like mentioned before it depends how heavy your foot is as to when it changes gear or if it kicks down a gear or 2.
I tend to stick to the paddles and choose my gears as I like to know what gear I'm in, unless I'm stuck in traffic then she sits in 'D'.
As for the auto down changes going down an incline, this is normal, although a little extreme at times. Just engine breaking.
If your still unhappy mate get it checked over.
The mechatronics can give you grief at times. I had mine replaced at 9000miles!!

[Dazz-ler]

Had the car in for 2 days over this issue and VW 'apparently' they altered the mechatronics but its no different. To be honest I don't see much I can do to challenge it and I'll just use the paddles to change down if need be.

Does make an odd noise from the engine when first setting off though. Sounds like a tinny rattle. Ghhhrrr