Launch Control?

[Nickyracer]

My S4 B8 S-tronic user's manual contains launch control procedure: ESP off, engine warm, left foot at the brake pedal for more then two seconds, right foot then fully depress the accelerator - engine automatically revs to 3000 - let go the brakes - and LAUNCH! - this is just a theory.

But there's an insert list in the manual saying that "launch control function at S4, A4, Q5 S-tronic is disabled".

Tried to do the original procedure - holding the brake pedal and blah-blah-blah, began depressing the throttle pedal. Engine revs to 1200-1300 and I felt my clutch slipping. Thought that's no good, experiment was interrupted.

Local dealer could not answer whether my car has launch control or has not. What about you, North American guys? - maybe your S4's has got different S-tronic sowtware?

[fatjohnperf]

My S4 B8 S-tronic user's manual contains launch control procedure: ESP off, engine warm, left foot at the brake pedal for more then two seconds, right foot then fully depress the accelerator - engine automatically revs to 3000 - let go the brakes - and LAUNCH! - this is just a theory.

But there's an insert list in the manual saying that "launch control function at S4, A4, Q5 S-tronic is disabled".

Tried to do the original procedure - holding the brake pedal and blah-blah-blah, began depressing the throttle pedal. Engine revs to 1200-1300 and I felt my clutch slipping. Thought that's no good, experiment was interrupted.

Local dealer could not answer whether my car has launch control or has not. What about you, North American guys? - maybe your S4's has got different S-tronic sowtware?

regardless,if you ask me,3000rpm's would be a granny start.and y would you buy an automatic sports car?

[AofC_RR]

No launch control. This has been covered elsewhere I'm sure. Sorry not on any NA B8 S4

[B6JoeS4]

regardless,if you ask me,3000rpm's would be a granny start.and y would you buy an automatic sports car?

a. he didn't ask you
b. since when is 3k a granny start?
c. maybe he didnt want a manual. maybe he is older and doesn't want the hassle of a manual.
d. if you cant answer his question and you are just going to call him out on buying an a/t sports car and launching at granny rpm's, dont post
[headbang]

[fatjohnperf]

a. he didn't ask you
b. since when is 3k a granny start?
c. maybe he didnt want a manual. maybe he is older and doesn't want the hassle of a manual.
d. if you cant answer his question and you are just going to call him out on buying an a/t sports car and launching at granny rpm's, dont post
[headbang]

so take your own advise.if your not here to answer his question,why the hell did you post also.JUST SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT...

[Nickyracer]

B6JoeA4
Thank you.

fatjohnperf
Your opinion is an old one. All my previous cars were manual, but newest dual-clutch transmissions are far better efficent.
3000 rpm launch - guess, Audi engineers are idiots who couldn't rev engine more. What a pity. By the way, 3.0T's maximum torque is reached at 2900 rpm. Rings any bells?

Raced my S4 (bone stock!) with M3E46 manual (tuned - carbon hood and trunk, short-shifter, Schrick cams, chipped, redline shifted to 9000 rpm, intake). On drag - beaten out crap out of him (torque and AWD rules). Roll on: 30-120 mph - no any advantage, after 120 mph he began to win by couple of inches. The M3 guy was really surprised.
By the way, M3 E92 with 7-speed dual-clutch significantly faster than 6MT.

AofC_RR
Why is this? Audi ptotects itself from "burned clutches" warranty claims?

[fatjohnperf]

B6JoeA4
Thank you.

fatjohnperf
Your opinion is an old one. All my previous cars were manual, but newest dual-clutch transmissions are far better efficent.
3000 rpm launch - guess, Audi engineers are idiots who couldn't rev engine more. What a pity. By the way, 3.0T's maximum torque is reached at 2900 rpm. Rings any bells?

Raced my S4 (bone stock!) with M3E46 manual (tuned - carbon hood and trunk, short-shifter, Schrick cams, chipped, redline shifted to 9000 rpm, intake). On drag - beaten out crap out of him (torque and AWD rules). Roll on: 30-120 mph - no any advantage, after 120 mph he began to win by couple of inches. The M3 guy was really surprised.
By the way, M3 E92 with 7-speed dual-clutch significantly faster than 6MT.

AofC_RR
Why is this? Audi ptotects itself from "burned clutches" warranty claims?

hey red guy,my post wasnt opinionated.it was a statement,and then a question.the smg may shift faster because theres no room for driver error.and it also takes all the fun out of a sports car.you are probably one of those guys who would buy a lamborghini with e-gear...

[Nickyracer]

hey red guy,my post wasnt opinionated.it was a statement,and then a question.the smg may shift faster because theres no room for driver error.and it also takes all the fun out of a sports car.you are probably one of those guys who would buy a lamborghini with e-gear...
Hello, stars'n'stripes guy! I wasn't really ever been "red", thanks god.
SMG's production has been discontinued quietly and without much publicity, wich means this transmission has fallen short of expectations. In Russia there were many warranty issues with SMG's.
I agree with you - during "sporty" driving it's more fun to drive manual - the feeling of the car is better. Automatics were not popular among racing enthusiasts because auto-equipped cars were signicantly slower then ones with shifters. Things changed with dual-clutched transmissions - they're simply FASTER with those. Even conservative Porsche bet on PDK-only Panamera.
I'm really a stick-enthusiastic driver, and, as I said before, all of my previous cars were manual. But why should I opt for a manual since auto is superior in almost every case, including the most important ones for a sports car: acceleration and shifting time?
About those who prefer MT there's an anecdote - MT is for those guys who doesn't know what to do with his right hand when there's no girl beside him. ;)

[Nvius]

"Hello stars 'n stripes guy"...

ahahaha, nice one.

Acceleration is improved with the addition of the 7th gear in DSG. I'm ordering a manual myself, but have mad respect for the 0.2 second shifts the DSG throws out.

This isn't a contest, it's a community.

[fatjohnperf]

Hello, stars'n'stripes guy! I wasn't really ever been "red", thanks god.
SMG's production has been discontinued quietly and without much publicity, wich means this transmission has fallen short of expectations. In Russia there were many warranty issues with SMG's.
I agree with you - during "sporty" driving it's more fun to drive manual - the feeling of the car is better. Automatics were not popular among racing enthusiasts because auto-equipped cars were signicantly slower then ones with shifters. Things changed with dual-clutched transmissions - they're simply FASTER with those. Even conservative Porsche bet on PDK-only Panamera.
I'm really a stick-enthusiastic driver, and, as I said before, all of my previous cars were manual. But why should I opt for a manual since auto is superior in almost every case, including the most important ones for a sports car: acceleration and shifting time?
About those who prefer MT there's an anecdote - MT is for those guys who doesn't know what to do with his right hand when there's no girl beside him. ;)

[>_<]i actually hate america,well the government,so im definitely stars n stripes guy.but it was funny...lol...they may shift faster,but in all actuality,your gaining nothing as an auto car weighs more because of the automatic trans.so,really,is it worth it.also,with the gas prices these days,you get better gas mileage in a MT.good luck with your automatic gas guzzling sports car[up]

[Nickyracer]

This isn't a contest, it's a community.
Cleverly spoken. [:)]

Official spesc for S4 B8 0-100 acceleration here:
6MT: 5,1 sec
S-tronic 5,3 sec.
Real tests here in Russia shows 5,2 for S-tronic car with full-options.
Guess, 0,1-0,2 sec advantage with a manual can only be achieved by a test-driver who can launch and shift far better than most of us. And I doubt it can be achieved at all.

P.S. There's also a cliche in Russia and Europe that in America the best anti-theft device on a car is... manual transmission. [:)] I believed that myself, but now see it ain't true. [:)]

[Nickyracer]

[>_<]i actually hate america,well the government,so im definitely stars n stripes guy.but it was funny...lol...they may shift faster,but in all actuality,your gaining nothing as an auto car weighs more because of the automatic trans.so,really,is it worth it.also,with the gas prices these days,you get better gas mileage in a MT.good luck with your automatic gas guzzling sports car[up]
Thank you! Good luck to you also. Don't burn the clutch. [;)]

By the way, S4 B8 with S-tronic has BETTER gas mileage than one with 6MT. [;)]

P.S. No one ever loves his country's government.[:)]

[fatjohnperf]

Cleverly spoken. [:)]

Official spesc for S4 B8 0-100 acceleration here:
6MT: 5,1 sec
S-tronic 5,3 sec.
Real tests here in Russia shows 5,2 for S-tronic car with full-options.
Guess, 0,1-0,2 sec advantage with a manual can only be achieved by a test-driver who can launch and shift far better than most of us. And I doubt it can be achieved at all.

P.S. There's also a cliche in Russia and Europe that in America the best anti-theft device on a car is... manual transmission. [:)] I believed that myself, but now see it ain't true. [:)]

and with that being said.you said nothing[>_<][=(]

[Nickyracer]

and with that being said.you said nothing[>_<][=(]
Don't want to prove anything - I've already made my choice.
This is the first time that dual-clutch strangely shows worse acceleration time than manual. Many people think (and tests proved that) - S4's S-tronic shifting fron 2nd to 3rd is at 98 km/h, with manual - after 100 km/h. That's the point of 0,2 sec gap. Real tests show equal results.
Porshes with PDK are much faster then ones with 6MT. Nissan GT-R has only dual-clutch. Ferrari went for dual clutch also. Even Bugatti Veyron has one.
Do you think all above cars' makers are stupid ones? Or don't want their cars to be faster ones?

[fatjohnperf]

Don't want to prove anything - I've already made my choice.
This is the first time that dual-clutch strangely shows worse acceleration time than manual. Many people think (and tests proved that) - S4's S-tronic shifting fron 2nd to 3rd is at 98 km/h, with manual - after 100 km/h. That's the point of 0,2 sec gap. Real tests show equal results.

they have different gear ratios,and one is a 6sp and the other a 7sp.why would you think they would shift the same gear at the same km/h?..SMH

CARLOS MENCIA VOICE"dee dee deeeeeee"

[Nickyracer]

they have different gear ratios,and one is a 6sp and the other a 7sp.why would you think they would shift the same gear at the same km/h?..SMH
I don't think they would shift the same gear at the same mph/kph - that's not what I said at all. I said this measure (0-100 kph) shows worth time for S-tronic due to gear ratios and does not mean worst acceletation altogether: at, say, 120 kph 6MT and 7AT will probably be equal.

As far as I know, 0-60mph (American specification) time for shift and auto S4 B8 is the same.

[fatjohnperf]

I like to pik me nose and eat it when drives,that whys i boughts a kar withs transmissions automatic

[>_<]wow,too much information.lmao[>_<]

[Nickyracer]

I like do drive a stick because its shape and hardness remind me of my (beep) during good old days, when I was young and strong fella
How dare you writing' that! [o_o] [evilmad]

[fatjohnperf]

lol

[speedydragon]

I think you might have to hold down the esp button for 5 or so seconds. I believe that's how launch control is enabled in the vw gti dsg. Look it up on youtube, there are quite a few videos of it.

[fatjohnperf]

I think you might have to hold down the esp button for 5 or so seconds. I believe that's how launch control is enabled in the vw gti dsg. Look it up on youtube, there are quite a few videos of it.

he has the russian model,it might be different.

[Nickyracer]

I think you might have to hold down the esp button for 5 or so seconds. I believe that's how launch control is enabled in the vw gti dsg. Look it up on youtube, there are quite a few videos of it.
I've done this exactly - until 'ESP OFF' shown on display. Guess, initial sowtware in S-tronic was changed, and launch-control disabled.
VW GTI's DSG is totally different dual-clutch, and got dry clutches, instead of "wet type" in S4 B8 S-tronic.

[fatjohnperf]

Doctor: This medicine is for insomnia, this one is for nervous break-down, and also take this one f0r depression.
Patient: Thank you very much, doctor, but do you have any other medicine besides vodka? [:D]

[fatjohnperf]

"my girlfried, She nice big Roooshian girl.. Strong like Bull, smart like Tractor!"

[B6JoeS4]

hey fatjohnperf, thanks for the bad rep. that affected my rep score in no why at all so thanks for trying. i was not going to neg rep you until you did that....

[borutp]

With the S-Tronic remap ( software ) the manual will stay behind from 0-60.

I am pretty sure that even without the software S-Tronic is in front of the manual from 0-70mph. Try to change gears like this transmission - never in 100 years.

Oh jea and the consumption is lower with S-Tronic than with manual so I don't know where this info is coming.

[boombastic]

there is no launch control for the US version. "Audi says the 3850-pound S4 will scoot to 62 mph in 5.1 seconds—0.1 second quicker than the V-8 model. The dual-clutch transmission lacks launch control, so it will be a little slower off the line, reaching 62 mph in a claimed 5.3 seconds." Caranddriver.

[borutp]

Launch control will be added to the new software remap.

[boombastic]

when is this gonna happen?
really wanna try the all wheel drive launch control.

Launch control will be added to the new software remap.

[Infra]

and with that being said.you said nothing[>_<][=(]

It's pretty obvious you know nothing.

#1. The DSG is not an SMG. Totally different. Just shows your ignorance right there.

#2. The Manual is faster than the DSG b/c, obviously, the DSG has no launch control. 5-60mph, the DSG will win.

#3. The DSG is not an automatic by any means. It's an automated manual transmission. Fuel economy is actually BETTER with the DSG, despite it weighing a gargantuan 77 lbs more (lol). Again, you fail. Also, gas prices have no relation to "fuel economy".

#4. 3000 RPM is not a granny start in any car, ever.

#5. Your posts add nothing to the conversation, and only serve to take away from it, so why don't you just *not* post?

[riegeraudi]

regardless,if you ask me,3000rpm's would be a granny start.and y would you buy an automatic sports car?

LOL First off the S4 in my book is not a sports car. It is a sports sedan, that may be one of the reasons for having an S-Tronic gearbox in this car. Maybe there are others driving the car like the wife hence the S-Tronic. Also traffic jams may also be a good reason to have an S-Tronic.
If it was a sports car like you say why would you want it in a Clutchless gearbox? Ask the F1 guys.

[NWS4Guy]

Nicky -

I hadn't posted on your earlier threads, but read them all; you have an excellent grasp of the English language, something I don't think anyone else here from an English speaking country can say of Russian. I enjoy hearing how you see things from a perspective other than "typical Americans" might, but when it all comes down to it, we are just cr enthusiasts and love our rides no matter the politics, country, or language.

Congrats on a really sweet ride, and we'll see what VAG codes and reprogramming can accomplish for launch control - hopefully it was not left off due to the DSG not being able to handle that kind of abuse :)

[ranch]

I'm going to guess that Audi will pull the same thing VW did with the GTI launch. The first production year, there was no launch control. The second year, launch control came stock and there was a TCU software update to enable it on the previous year cars. I'm guessing that Audi wants to make sure they don't have any problems with the US setup before they let people hammer on them by using launch control.

[riegeraudi]

Forget launch control, hopefully VW/Audi can get these transmissions to work like they are supposed to before we start worrying about launch control.

[ranch]

They aren't working as they should?

[boombastic]

i think they works fine! at least better than m3 DCT.

[riegeraudi]

Well a few members already had the mechatronics changed out and here is a link to some info on some others having problems with their DSG.
Go to my links on the bottom of the thread here.

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=317001

[ranch]

You do realize that the S-Tronic in the S4 is 100% different from the ones in the links you posted right?

So thus far, I have seen 2 mechatronic units replaced. One was in Russia and one in Canada. Audi is probably having dealerships pull mechatronic units right away so they can better determine what is actually happening. Right now, they don't have a large basis for troubleshooting since this is a completely new trans.

[NWS4Guy]

You do realize that the S-Tronic in the S4 is 100% different from the ones in the links you posted right?

So thus far, I have seen 2 mechatronic units replaced. One was in Russia and one in Canada. Audi is probably having dealerships pull mechatronic units right away so they can better determine what is actually happening. Right now, they don't have a large basis for troubleshooting since this is a completely new trans.

Yea this is the first one for a non-transverse engine.

[Nickyracer]

Nicky -

I hadn't posted on your earlier threads, but read them all; you have an excellent grasp of the English language, something I don't think anyone else here from an English speaking country can say of Russian. I enjoy hearing how you see things from a perspective other than "typical Americans" might, but when it all comes down to it, we are just cr enthusiasts and love our rides no matter the politics, country, or language.

Congrats on a really sweet ride, and we'll see what VAG codes and reprogramming can accomplish for launch control - hopefully it was not left off due to the DSG not being able to handle that kind of abuse :)
Thank you! You make me feel a bit shy. [:)]

I'm also grateful to all you folks who add reasonable and useful posts to this conversation. Unfortunately, there's always some sort of internet provocators, who add rubbish, stupid and sometimes abusive posts. [mad]

S-Tronic in S4 is a completely new transmission, developed and produced by Audi itself (not usual ZF, Magna or Getrag) - first dual-clutch for a longitudinally-positioned engine and AWD.
All new technoligies lack reliability in the first few years of production. Dual-clutched trannys are no exception.
Of course, S4 is capable of a good dragracing-like full-throttle starts from a complete stop without launch-control. But I experienced a time lag between fully depressed gas pedal and acceleration itself. Raced my S4 with lightly tuned Evo8 - with the start signal he let go the clutch from the redline and quickly jumped 5-10 feet away from me (I thought we started simultaneously). Dreadful experience for me. Guess, it is critical for a sports sedan and can be fixed through future S-tronic remaps.
Strange thing anyway for an Audi - including LC process in the original manual, then cancelling it. Guess they're afraid that S-tronic is incapable of withstanding overheating during numerous launch-control starts.
Nissan GT-R' owners with similar kind of transmission here in Russia experienced a lot of problems of overheated and thus broken transmissions due to LC-style starts, providing GT-R really got OEM LC-program.

[fatjohnperf]

Thank you! You make me feel a bit shy. [:)]

I'm also grateful to all you folks who add reasonable and useful posts to this conversation. Unfortunately, there's always some sort of internet provocators, who add rubbish, stupid and sometimes abusive posts. [mad]

S-Tronic in S4 is a completely new transmission, developed and produced by Audi itself (not usual ZF, Magna or Getrag) - first dual-clutch for a longitudinally-positioned engine and AWD.
All new technoligies lack reliability in the first few years of production. Dual-clutched trannys are no exception.
Of course, S4 is capable of a good dragracing-like full-throttle starts from a complete stop without launch-control. But I experienced a time lag between fully depressed gas pedal and acceleration itself. Raced my S4 with lightly tuned Evo8 - with the start signal he let go the clutch from the redline and quickly jumped 5-10 feet away from me (I thought we started simultaneously). Dreadful experience for me. Guess, it is critical for a sports sedan and can be fixed through future S-tronic remaps.
Strange thing anyway for an Audi - including LC process in the original manual, then cancelling it. Guess they're afraid that S-tronic is incapable of withstanding overheating during numerous launch-control starts.
Nissan GT-R' owners with similar kind of transmission here in Russia experienced a lot of problems of overheated and thus broken transmissions due to LC-style starts, providing GT-R really got OEM LC-program.

dude,if you really want launch control,get the WOT box..it $130..then you can end these 4 pages of nonsense...you can wire it to any car...http://www.npcompleteperformance.com/wotbox

[ranch]

dude,if you really want launch control,get the WOT box..it $130..then you can end these 4 pages of nonsense...you can wire it to any car...http://www.npcompleteperformance.com/wotbox

Or not. Those would only apply to a manual trans car. They would do absolutely nothing with an S-Tronic. You don't have the lift from the gas to shift the way it is, and with DBW, the ECU will basically ignore the gas pedal input when you have the brakes on.

[fatjohnperf]

Or not. Those would only apply to a manual trans car. They would do absolutely nothing with an S-Tronic. You don't have the lift from the gas to shift the way it is, and with DBW, the ECU will basically ignore the gas pedal input when you have the brakes on.

no,instead of wiring it to the clutch pedal position switch,you wire it to a button,or highbeam switch..or anything.whatever you want to wire it to..cmon guys,use your nuggets

[Phantom S5]

[:(] It stinks that the launch control doesn't work, however I turned off ESP/ASR and from a dead stop fully slammed it and had some tire squeal but not the launch I really would've liked to have.

[NWS4Guy]

[:(] It stinks that the launch control doesn't work, however I turned off ESP/ASR and from a dead stop fully slammed it and had some tire squeal but not the launch I really would've liked to have.

You won't get this from a dead stop with quattro. However, at speed, go into a tight turn, drop a gear or 2 and punch it, and you will be able to induce oversteer :)

[Phantom S5]

You won't get this from a dead stop with quattro. However, at speed, go into a tight turn, drop a gear or 2 and punch it, and you will be able to induce oversteer :)

I'm gonna try it out.. I've tried so many times by flooring it through turns and the car just grips.. I was racing around with a B6 S4, and through the turns I had no tire squeal and going much faster than him, and he would screech. My A4 screeched at lower speeds also.

[NWS4Guy]

I'm gonna try it out.. I've tried so many times by flooring it through turns and the car just grips.. I was racing around with a B6 S4, and through the turns I had no tire squeal and going much faster than him, and he would screech. My A4 screeched at lower speeds also.

Some motivation for you - tire squeal galore, and Chris Harris making a 2010 S4 (Avant even!) oversteer and drift some.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mcmvkBkVeg

[73kingstonroad]

Hi Guy's...

First thing the S tronic gets to 100 KPH (62 MPH) 0.2 sec slower because in the S tronic it has to change into 3rd before hitting 100 KPH (62 MPH), unlike the manual version which can do it in 2nd.... THIS IS FACT..

Secondly the S tronic gear box in the A4, A5 & Q5 platform is totally different to the FWD S tronic / DSG version. The new one has 7 gears and works on oil filled clutch's. The old one only has 6. There is a 7 speed FWD version but this is for lower powered cars and works on dry clutch's.

Third and final... the S tronic gear box isn't without it's faults as it's new and hasn't many miles under it's belt. This should get better as more cars start getting delivered with this new gear box.
I have a 2.0T Q A4 with this gear box and have a couple of issues with it.
1. slow to change up into the next gear when in manual mode. Downshifts seem as good if not better than the previous FWD version.
2. lumpy, bumpy changes up when driving steady (change up around 2000 RPM)
3. seeing the rev counter flick up before some changes up.
4. Some times feeling a bump when changing up.
I've reported these findings to my dealer in the Uk, so I wait and see..

Martin

[Nickyracer]

I also experience problems depicted in 73ringstonroad's post above. Lumpy-bumpy shifts in lower gears during slow traffic, shifting delays, etc.
Also reported those issues to my dealer about a month ago, but they're still awaiting an answer from Germany.
And as far as I see from all you guys' posts, Launch Control is merely cancelled in all our S4's S-tronics. :(

[calvin1.8t]

regardless,if you ask me,3000rpm's would be a granny start.and y would you buy an automatic sports car?

i drove the dsg, its nice. quick as fuck. id take the 6spd of course but the dsg is still great

[eboosted]

I have a 2.0T Q A4 with this gear box and have a couple of issues with it.
1. slow to change up into the next gear when in manual mode. Downshifts seem as good if not better than the previous FWD version.
2. lumpy, bumpy changes up when driving steady (change up around 2000 RPM)
3. seeing the rev counter flick up before some changes up.
4. Some times feeling a bump when changing up.
I've reported these findings to my dealer in the Uk, so I wait and see..

Martin

Hello Martin:
I have the same exact symptoms as you, I've reported them to the dealer as well, but his reply was that the tranny works perfect, there are no mechatronic DSG updates at the moment.

What can we do to solve this?, dealer here is kinda difficult to deal with

[JTurbo]

[>_<]i actually hate america,well the government,so im definitely stars n stripes guy.but it was funny...lol...they may shift faster,but in all actuality,your gaining nothing as an auto car weighs more because of the automatic trans.so,really,is it worth it.also,with the gas prices these days,you get better gas mileage in a MT.good luck with your automatic gas guzzling sports car[up]

The DSG S4 is NOT an automatic transmission. I suggest you go do a little research and educate yourself. Its a dual clutch SEQUENTIAL transmission. What you are saying is that a Ferrari with the F1 tranny or a Porsche with the PDK or a M with the SMG is an automatic. These are not automatic transmissions with a torque converter, they are a manual transmission that the computer does the clutch for you. Simple as that.

[NWS4Guy]

The DSG S4 is NOT an automatic transmission. I suggest you go do a little research and educate yourself. Its a dual clutch SEQUENTIAL transmission. What you are saying is that a Ferrari with the F1 tranny or a Porsche with the PDK or a M with the SMG is an automatic. These are not automatic transmissions with a torque converter, they are a manual transmission that the computer does the clutch for you. Simple as that.

That guy hasn't been back (at least on that account) since this thread, he was de-rep'd and run off I think. It was more fun to see what drivvel was posted next, or how he used no grammar or punctuation while telling others they were stupid.

What a pity he left.

[McBee]

i think those symtons can not fix at this moment..because clutchless manual gearbox not really designed to everyday car or say keeping "stop n go", if u really want to drive it smooth and longer life in busy traffic city, u need to learn or change your driving habbit, cause i already have two cars are using these kind of transmisson.
"F1 gearbox" i can only say "love and scare"

[JTurbo]

i think those symtons can not fix at this moment..because clutchless manual gearbox not really designed to everyday car or say keeping "stop n go", if u really want to drive it smooth and longer life in busy traffic city, u need to learn or change your driving habbit, cause i already have two cars are using these kind of transmisson.
"F1 gearbox" i can only say "love and scare"

I would agree. A sequential gearbox is not for everyone. I would say the S-Tronic, with its quirks, is still much smoother than my GTR, but its still no automatic tranny. Both have minds of their own sometimes, and you just have to get used to it. Of course, I could care less, since once I'm hauling, the 200ms shifts are godly :)

[HobbesA5]

The DSG S4 is NOT an automatic transmission.
Gears are changed automatically. It is therefore an automatic transmission.

It differs in operation from traditional automatics, but it is an automatic nonetheless. I don't know why supporters of DSG are so defensive about this. There is no crime in loving an automatic transmission.

[Banan]

A SEQUENTIAL gearbox is just like a normal gearbox except the control of the forks, instead of a normal H-pattern to guide the forks you get a grooved drum that does the job, nothing else. It has nothing to do with the gearbox being automatic or not. Like Hobbes says, if it changes gear automagically it's a automatic gearbox.

[riegeraudi]

how about semi-automatic. LOL
Well it kind of is if you think about this. works best in manual mode, doesn't have the typical automatic set-up, has clutches like a manual, but no clutch like a manual, drives worst in automatic mode. ta da = semi-automatic. Happy?
I ordered the DSG and wouldn't care less if people said I have an automatic, but bothers me when people tell me how a manual is superior to the DSG. The only superiority I see with the manual over the DSG is reliability/longevity. Fun factor maybe but I think if one uses the DSG just like a manual then will be just as fun possibly. I'll know when I get the S4 and compare it to my manual A4.

[NWS4Guy]

Sorry, not an automatic, they don't engage automatically - they are automated though. They are changed electronically, but that is just the electronics taking over what your hand does engaging the gears and shifting. This is an electronic manual, there is no torque converter, and there are dual clutches.

[McBee]

You can still say this is an automatic operation, but the construction itself is same as traditional manual gearbox, it's using clutch, not torque converter. It just have extra electric pumps do what your foot does!! (to engage the clutch). The torque convertor type transmisson lose more hp on wheels, and it wont have technologies like "heel n toe" and double clutch. Those techniques only work with manual gearbox(so far)

[Nickyracer]

As far as I see, "automatic" is a summary term for transmissions which change gears automatically and lack clutch pedal, so exact type of transmission (planetary type with torque converter, dual clutch DSG-likes, single clutch compact-cars like) - is secondary, but also matters, of course.

My dealer called me back about issues with my transmission, after getting a reply from Audi's technical support in Russia:
1) they said nothing reasonable of a launch control. But said that going through the procedure of a LC depicted in the manual would burn the clutches, so they don't recommend that;
2) also said that Audi's TS doesn't consider long time shifting from 1st to 2nd in full throttle in every ADS mode but Dynamic as an issue at all - allegedly that's a "protection feature". :-(
That's it, folks.

[Banan]

1) they said nothing reasonable of a launch control. But said that going through the procedure of a LC depicted in the manual would burn the clutches, so they don't recommend that;

Luckily the S-tronic uses wet clutches so it can take more abuse than a normal clutch, the surrounding oil helps it from overheating.
One thing that worries me with it is the mechatronic unit that's been failing in A3's and VW cars but the A/S4 has a newly developed DCT so hopefully this one will hold. Maybe it will help to change oil more often, who knows?

[McBee]

Luckily the S-tronic uses wet clutches so it can take more abuse than a normal clutch, the surrounding oil helps it from overheating.
One thing that worries me with it is the mechatronic unit that's been failing in A3's and VW cars but the A/S4 has a newly developed DCT so hopefully this one will hold. Maybe it will help to change oil more often, who knows?

how the a3 and VW fail with the dsg? does it need to tow? cause i have experience with my alfa and maserati, when the the transmission fail. the car just stuck on the road...

[Nickyracer]

Luckily the S-tronic uses wet clutches so it can take more abuse than a normal clutch, the surrounding oil helps it from overheating.
One thing that worries me with it is the mechatronic unit that's been failing in A3's and VW cars but the A/S4 has a newly developed DCT so hopefully this one will hold. Maybe it will help to change oil more often, who knows?
My mechatronic has already been replaced at 7500 km, with oil, filter, gaskets etc.
Usually oil in S4 B8 S-tronic should be replaced after 60000 km, but I have the intention of doing it after 45000 km, just in case.

[L0U]

My mechatronic has already been replaced at 7500 km, with oil, filter, gaskets etc.
Usually oil in S4 B8 S-tronic should be replaced after 60000 km, but I have the intention of doing it after 45000 km, just in case.

Did the new unit make yopur shifts smoother?

[NWS4Guy]

Luckily the S-tronic uses wet clutches so it can take more abuse than a normal clutch, the surrounding oil helps it from overheating.
One thing that worries me with it is the mechatronic unit that's been failing in A3's and VW cars but the A/S4 has a newly developed DCT so hopefully this one will hold. Maybe it will help to change oil more often, who knows?

Completely different transmissions between the S4 and A3. This one is a 7 speed and the first they have mounted to a longitudinal engine.

[HobbesA5]

This is an electronic manual, there is no torque converter
Since when has a torque converter been part of the definition of the word "automatic"? [confused]

Even if the transmission had an artificial foot pushing a clutch pedal to the floor and an artificial arm shifting a gearshift, it would still be an automatic transmission because the gears are being changed automatically.

With the DSG the ECU is deciding what gear it should be in and is putting the transmission into that gear. That is an automatic.


As far as I see, "automatic" is a summary term for transmissions which change gears automatically and lack clutch pedal, so exact type of transmission (planetary type with torque converter, dual clutch DSG-likes, single clutch compact-cars like) - is secondary, but also matters, of course.
http://www.a5oc.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif

[Banan]

Completely different transmissions between the S4 and A3. This one is a 7 speed and the first they have mounted to a longitudinal engine.
Yea I know, hence why i wrote:"A/S4 has a newly developed DCT so hopefully this one will hold."

[NWS4Guy]

With the DSG the ECU is deciding what gear it should be in and is putting the transmission into that gear. That is an automatic.




Unless you use the paddles, in which case that is a manual choice of changing the gears. What is the line of deliniation as you see it for manual versus automatic? I guess it would have to be the willful choice of the driver as to when you change gears?

[Banan]

Maybe I misunderstood you know nws4guy but you can manually choose gears with both the Tip and the S-tronic. Does that mean the tip is a manual too then?

[NWS4Guy]

Maybe I misunderstood you know nws4guy but you can manually choose gears with both the Tip and the S-tronic. Does that mean the tip is a manual too then?

I'm just trying to understand what your definition is of an automatic. You said that even if something moved the clutch and stick for you it was an auto. So I was posing the question that does it mean itis a manual if you are the one changing gears yourself? If so, then tip and S-tronic are manuals.

I said the S-tronic has no torque convertor and uses dual clutches, but this didn't seem to satisfy any sort of line between what is a manual and what is an auto.

[Banan]

For me (don't wanna put word in hobbesa5's mouth) an automatic is a gearbox that does the job for you, clutch and shifting, and a manual is one that has a clutch pedal and a gearstick. Funny thing is that Audi seems to make that distinction too. The fact that you can manually change gears with an auto doesn't make it a manual in my book. I'd say most people would make that definition.

A semi automatic to me is for example like the ones we had in trucks some 15 or so years ago where there was still a normal clutch pedal on the floor but the gearstick was removed and a little joystick was placed there instead and shifting was automated. Clutch was used like normal but no need to make these heavy shifting all day long.

[HobbesA5]

For me (don't wanna put word in hobbesa5's mouth) an automatic is a gearbox that does the job for you, clutch and shifting, and a manual is one that has a clutch pedal and a gearstick. Funny thing is that Audi seems to make that distinction too. The fact that you can manually change gears with an auto doesn't make it a manual in my book. I'd say most people would make that definition.
Yes, this is accurate.

It just seems there is an awful lot of words that people use to try and explain the DSG, when the simple fact is that if the transmission shifts automatically, then it is by definition an automatic.

The method the DSG uses to accomplish this is irrelevant. The fact that you can electronically prod the transmission to act differently with paddles is also irrelevant. If the transmission shifts automatically, it's an automatic.

That doesn't in any way take away from the fact that the DSG appears to be a damn fine automatic.

[trigoe]

Yes, this is accurate.

It just seems there is an awful lot of words that people use to try and explain the DSG, when the simple fact is that if the transmission shifts automatically, then it is by definition an automatic.

The method the DSG uses to accomplish this is irrelevant. The fact that you can electronically prod the transmission to act differently with paddles is also irrelevant. If the transmission shifts automatically, it's an automatic.

That doesn't in any way take away from the fact that the DSG appears to be a damn fine automatic.


Couldn't be any clearer than that. Seems some people want to be labeled as having a "manual" like it's a badge of honor or makes you a better driver/badass whatever. And other's that have manual's don't want to get in the same pool with others like they're going to get cooties. Whatever.

I bought an automatic that I can shift myself if I want. But it's an automatic. No doubt.

[Nickyracer]

Did the new unit make yopur shifts smoother?
No, nothing changed. At all.