Auto: Drop Down From 2nd To 1st

[dt1]

OK, since you helped me fix my turbo problem so well, here's a 'fine-tuning' question...

 

My auto does not change down from 2nd to 1st until below about 5mph. In practice this is usually slightly slower than my arrival speed at roundabouts. So its very common for me to enter a roundabout just over 5mph in 2nd. With low engine revs it takes well over a second to develop much urge so trying to nip through a gap can be risky. Hitting the accelerator hard does not help as the kickdown to 1st takes that second or so anyway.

 

Do other auto drivers have the same flat spot? I think I would like the auto to change gears from 2nd to 1st at a slightly higher speed. Can this be adjusted?

Thanks, David.

[big_kev]

Only by pulling the stick back from 2 to 1 that should cure it.

 

The kickdown should be quick enough at that speed, I would suggest you get it checked.

 

Drove plenty of autos and never had this problem although they very rarely changed down to 1st even when completely stopped they were still in second and if you tries to pull away just above tickover they would do this in 2nd. However they all kicked down almost immediately when the pedal hit the floor.

 

Have you had the car long ?

[NikpV]

OK, since you helped me fix my turbo problem so well, here's a 'fine-tuning' question...

 

My auto does not change down from 2nd to 1st until below about 5mph. In practice this is usually slightly slower than my arrival speed at roundabouts. So its very common for me to enter a roundabout just over 5mph in 2nd. With low engine revs it takes well over a second to develop much urge so trying to nip through a gap can be risky. Hitting the accelerator hard does not help as the kickdown to 1st takes that second or so anyway.

 

Do other auto drivers have the same flat spot? I think I would like the auto to change gears from 2nd to 1st at a slightly higher speed. Can this be adjusted?

Thanks, David.

 

 

put the autobox into 'tiptronic' mode ie pull lever to right on the approach, it seems to keep the most appropriate gear then and whenever you touch the accelerator it responds with no delay, as soon as you are accelerating move the lever back to full auto - works for me :lol: just right for nipping into that gap, I don't always use this method it depends on the traffic conditions, obviously you can do the whole thing in tiptronic if you want but this works fine.

[lazyb5]

Hi dt1

i too have the same problem as you i even have it when i`m sat at traffic lights there is a miniscule delay when needing to accelerate hard away from junctions etc. I havnt noticed when i go into roundabouts but if i stop and need a quick start its a bit laggy

[dt1]

I've had the car since new, over 5 yrs, and its been like this all along. I don't believe it will be a fault. The box will have been programmed to change under predetermined conditions and these just happen to result in a flat spot just above 5mph when the engine revs have also decayed to idle. We need revs to generate turbo boost and it takes that second or so to get enough to give some urgency. I guess I'm curious if this is something that the full version of vag-com can change, or other chipping techniques?

 

I can use the manual override but you don't know in advance of arriving at an intersection if you need it. The auto is pretty smooth over the rest of the rev/speed range. The most reliable approach for taking a gap is to stop to ensure it is in first and then it charges off just fine. But sometimes you arrive and see an opportunity but have to remember that it may just coast for a scary moment...

[NikpV]

 

 

I can use the manual override but you don't know in advance of arriving at an intersection if you need it. The auto is pretty smooth over the rest of the rev/speed range. The most reliable approach for taking a gap is to stop to ensure it is in first and then it charges off just fine. But sometimes you arrive and see an opportunity but have to remember that it may just coast for a scary moment...

 

 

if you put it in thre tiptronic mode it doesn't matter if you don't need it, if you have to come to a full stop then put it back in automode, I'm not sure its a gear selection problem so much as a 'gear engagement' ie clutch type thing - it seems to almost freewheel up to a junction/roundabout doesn't seeem to be any engine braking, I've driven two auto galaxies and both have been like it, there has been some discusssion about it before on here IIRC

[bigdaddy]

Is it not a safety feature,,,,,so that you don't go racing off in first,,,,,,,,,,,mine does it and it pulls away ok in second at low speed

[big_kev]

I don't think the problem is the car. :lol:

 

I now think the problem is the size of the gaps you are driving into :lol:

[dt1]

I don't think the problem is the car. :lol:

 

I now think the problem is the size of the gaps you are driving into :lol:

 

Yes, well spotted. This definitely has something to do with it!