DSG Hesitation

[nutkins]

Do all DSG's 'creep' like a normal auto and have instant throttle response when switching to the gas pedal? A few people have mentioned 'hesitation' and 'delay' (and I'm assuming 1st gear or D/S is already engaged here)

I know RedRobin says his is instant. Any other views? This is the only think that scares me about getting DSG as it would definitly annoy me.

[RedRobin]

Huh? Isn't this already being currently discussed in another thread?

Anyroadup, by using your right foot on the brake pedal, your engine (DSG or Manual) is very low revving >1,000revs and so there is only the gentlest of creeping (unless very steep incline upwards) and no strain or stresses. When you lift foot and progressively plant it on the throttle you get whatever acceleration you desire.

When I have said "instant" or without hesitation I mean without any significant delay. It's all a question of feel. If you stomp it you'll seem to get more delay. Throttle response is very good imo.

[mixit]

I'm with Robin on this one. The car will just "creep" very, very slightly. It's certainly not a problem and nothing to worry about. My only problem is backing in my garage and having to rev the car to get it up over the slight concrete ridge, where the door shuts. This means it will lurch when the gearbox transmits a sudden burst of drive to the wheels.

I have to be gently on the brakes pretty quick as the car "lurches" into the garage. My description makes it sound a lot worse than it is. When all is said and done Nutkins, it's a small price to pay for an amazing bit of technology...

[zoomx3]

its something you'll get used to after a while. i agree with red, if you stomp the paddle, there is more of a "delay". that might be more of a human expectancy response thing. no instant gratification there. but think of it this way, once the power comes on, it pushes you back in your seat! in normal daily driving, dsg is super smooth and fast. it'll zip you out of the lights in no time, leaving a crowd of cars behind you, and without even stressing the package one bit!! no kidding. its that good.

[OzGTI]

Can only agree with the other posts. The creep is a definite.

You can cause the DSG to hesitate - just as you can stall a manual car if you don't use the clutch properly.

The DSG takes a little time to get used to but once you have the 'feel' it is great, a bit like getting to understand where the take up point is on a manaul car. Once you understand the feel of the car the response is very immediate and very satisfactory IMHO.

[zoomx3]

good analogy on "the take up point", OZ.

[OzGTI]

Well that's the whole point about having a good car I think. Its the connection or interface between you and the mechanicals. Usually the better the car the better the interface. There maybe some exceptions with Japanese cars (like Lexus) where they have tried to remove all the character from the car. Personally, I think it is part of the the Japanese habit of trying to perfect something that doesn't need perfecting. Having worked in a Japanese company (though not cars) for many years I know this. But in reality it is this character that attracts us to our cars and the reason why a Honda NSX could never be a Ferrari. Otherwise we would all be satisfied driving Kia's - can't see too many people on this forum being happy driving a Kia or a Daewoo cdan you?

[zoomx3]

something for everyone i guess, Oz, some people just want to be extremely disconnected from the "driving" experience like turning up the music to deafening levels, or in the lexus example the opposite. i was just on my way out for lunch and a colleague asked "what do you think of the 350z roadster". i went umm, well, i wanted to say "its not for me" but found a more diplomatic answer by saying "i like more practical cars, im too old for that" (my colleague is at least 10 years older) . hee hee.

[OzGTI]

Yes, of course something for everyone. I guess I was trying to say those would be attracted to and appreciate the GTi along with BMW's and others are likely to want to connect with, rather than merely sit in their cars.

I think your colleague with the interest in the 350Z proves this, though in the scheme of things the 350Z is something of a drivers car as I undertsand it. Just not my kind of drivers car!

It sounds like you colleague might be ready for a midlife crisis or a second or third childhood. All power to him whatever.

[zoomx3]

yes, the 350z is indeed a performance and driver's car but i find it too bling. i love the classy, understatement that the gti is.

[OzGTI]

Very bling indeed - as I said I think there might be a midlife crisis going on there. I good friend of mine, and like me in that midlife crisis age range, is looking at -you guessed it a 350Z.

I think I can sort him out and get him back to something sensible- like a BMW Coupe.

[RedRobin]

A Throbbin' Red Mk5 GTI with Quad exhausts and excellent Pioneer audio system and sunroof satisfies my midlife crisis and post-divorce lifestyle (aka I do what the feck I want!! ) just perfectly! I'm 58 going on 24yo!!

But re DSG subject: both Oz and zoom have described it perfectly. It's all down to FEEL and being patient enough to get used to it

Sometimes you can induce delay by being too heavy on the throttle when changing DSG mode (not when changing gear).

[gribs]

In my experience the DSG has no lag over the manual 'box apart from one situation, which I've had only a few times.

I've had the odd occasion when manouvering fairly slowly (<20mph) where there is quite a hesitation after completing a manouvere, then applying the throttle.

What I think happens is the gearbox has economically changed up to 4th on the straight, I've turned slowly into a corner at a junction then gone to hit the throttle to pull away. At this point DSG wants to go down to 2nd, but because it has to drop 2 gears (and shares the same clutch as 4th) there is a noticeable lag. It's not major, but the tendancy at this point is to push harder on the throttle. Which results in a quick burst of acceleration, rather than smooth pull away.

Has anyone else experienced this?

[RedRobin]

Hi gribs....What DSG mode when you experience this? D? So I understand it correctly and can have a go at reproducing the scenario you describe: You are in 4th (but D-mode might put you in 5th or 6th)....Turned left at a junction?....Hit the throttle (gently? or hard?) to pull away....??

Sometimes I find S-mode an effective way of getting better response even if I soon after go back to D. Similarly using the paddles to override D's tendencies.

[gribs]

Hi Robin, yes I'm in D mode.

Straight on then at around 30mph, into a junction off a main road, I can only recollect it happening when turning right. Hit throttle gently to begin with but find there's no 'pull' so press harder. DSG drops down a couple of cogs and accelerates like a boy racer.

I thought maybe a drop from 4th to 2nd might explain it, because of the clutch. But it could be in a higher or lower gear. Midline display isn't the easiest to read when cornering

Thinking back, the times this has happened has been near the start of my journeys to or from work. Both involve juntions when the car maybe hasn't fully warmed up. Could be something do with it?

If it is the 4th to 2nd problem that I think it is, then sport mode should definitely alleviate the issue, as should some use of the paddles. But you can't beat a bit of 'D' for the easy life

[RedRobin]

Now I'm more used to the DSG I would nearly always switch to S in that situation so I can concentrate on traffic flow and am ready to go as needed with nothing else to think about. I often go from D to S and back as if "D" and "S" were single gears. I tend to use the paddles more when not in traffic.

I also think that any perceived 'confusion' from the DSG is largely due to our expectation of totally instant response combined with the sound rather like clutch slip. Wheelspin even with ESP can appear to cause hesitation but I've never felt put in any danger yet.

[gribs]

Just been chatting to my mate Neil who has a Sportback, DSG and same engine etc. Probably an easier situation to describe over the phone, but he's essentially saying it's the same on the Audi. Sport mode and paddles are the only way to stop it.

It's not a regular thing and it doesn't annoy me at all, but it's something that is there with DSG. I'm sure my driving style will work around it eventually.

At the end of the day it's a minor glitch. It cost me £1300 more than the manual and is worth every penny

[RedRobin]

You've hit the nail on the head gribs....DSG really has to be learnt as a 'new' driving style. There are a number of different options and combinations and all applied to ever varying road and traffic conditions. It isn't just a simple Automatic similar to earlier vehicles.

Now that drivers are experiencing it, slowly getting used to it, and liking it, the demand for it is significantly increasing. I think it's TSNer Alan who is even going as far as swopping his Manual GTI for a DSG version....That's a big decision to have made and I do hope he is not disappointed by the DSG learning curve. It's not learning how to operate it but learning a driving style with it that benefits you the most.