launch control or no launch control???

[pjunk1]

i recently purchased a 2010 A3 2.0T here in the states. the owner's manual has a section about LAUNCH CONTROL PROGRAM but also states "applies to vehicles with LAUNCH CONTROL PROGRAM...". that's confusing. so, does the US 2010 A3 2.0T have this feature or not???

i've read a few posts stating that older A3's do not have this feature but the euro versions do due to different TCM.

if anyone has a stock A3 and can tell me if they've used it that would be great. or, if anyone has the facts on this feature for 2010 or 2009 A3's.

thanks.

[ECS Tuning-Audi]

I don't know how to check if you do or don't have it beyond doing a road test. I believe once you have it in gear with foot on the break. Disengage traction control. Hold foot on brake and give throttle, if it bounces of 4k or 4.5k (somewhere right in there) smoothly (not like a crotch rocket) then that is launch control working. Let off gas = go! If it doesn't bounce off that RPM and just idles higher without reaching 4-4.5k then you don't have launch control.

On your model I believe it is standard. I will tell you this. I drive a MkV GTI 2.0t at the track and launch control isn't any good on OEM tires. You have to feather the throttle off the line to get anywhere. Master that and I literally shaved .5 seconds off the 1/4 mile time between simply sticking my foot in the gas and feathering it. Threw on some stickier tires and it made all the difference in the world.

That might have been too much information, but there you have it.

[fusionx]

To engage launch control you turn ESP off and hold down the brake and hit the gas. If that works and it lets you rev up to a certain RPM, then you have it. All you do to launch is take your foot of the brake and leave it on the gas.

My 07 A3 does not have this stock and I'm not sure if yours does but thats what you do to check

[kampfer]

To engage launch control you turn ESP off and hold down the brake and hit the gas. If that works and it lets you rev up to a certain RPM, then you have it. All you do to launch is take your foot of the brake and leave it on the gas.

My 07 A3 does not have this stock and I'm not sure if yours does but thats what you do to check

how much was that DSG tune anyway? I might get it done at the end of the month

[iconoclast]

some 06 3.2 had it, until they realized they slipped past and they were 'recalled' to software disable them. no audi a3 has this from the factory unless you have aftermarket software and it cannot be vag'd as it is tcm related and not ecu related. my mk5 r32 does have it though and it is a 2008 and it is fun as hell, unfortunately the 07 a3 3.2q does not.

[pjunk1]

some 06 3.2 had it, until they realized they slipped past and they were 'recalled' to software disable them. no audi a3 has this from the factory unless you have aftermarket software and it cannot be vag'd as it is tcm related and not ecu related. my mk5 r32 does have it though and it is a 2008 and it is fun as hell, unfortunately the 07 a3 3.2q does not.

i'm just wondering why they would have it in the owners manual??? on the audi site for the TT S-tronic, they actually specify it: http://www.audiusa.com/us/brand/en/m...container=page

so, i guess the best thing to do is test it. if i don't have it, i won't screw up the dsg right?

[iconoclast]

i never saw it in the a3 manual, but i know for a fact i do not have it in the a3 3.2q.

(stock ecu, stock tcm)

generally speaking what you have to do is very simple...

go on a clear empty road where there is nobody else. preferably something off the beaten path and at a time when that particular road is empty.

step one make sure both engine and transmission are warm... if neither are at optimum operating temp it will not work.
step two put car in S
step three press and hold esp button until the esp light goes on (for good measure i hold it a bit longer)
step four depress brake as far down as possible with left foot
step five at the same time as holding the brake depress the accelerator all the way down.

at this point you will know if you have launch control or not... if you do, your revs will go to about 4k if you do not, it will not rev past 2k.

if you find yourself to be one of the lucky fellows that make it to the 4k mark (highly unlikely on stock) then proceed to next step...

step six let go of the brake and enjoy the open roads and the quasi-burn out.


you know have me wanting to check this out again, even though i tried several times. i have video i made of this somewhere on the pc for the r32, how to engage LC etc, if i can find it on this pc i will post it.

[Ayefore]

Yes... and it totally AWESOME!!

But like iconoclast says... make sure your Engine and Tranny is warm before launching. When you have it setup make sure your steering wheel is relatively straight, press firm on the brake and press the gas the way down. The book calls it a kick down? Anyways, your tach should shoot to 3,200 RPM and stay. You'll feel that your tranny won't release at the beginning. But it should be fine. Just press the gas a bit harder. When your ready to launch, release brake pedal and hold on to dear life. =) Btw, feel free to use your paddle shifts as your car may shoot past redline and shift late.

From what my dealer told me upon picking my baby up. The tranny on the TT is identical to the new A3's. Dunno if I can trust that but, hey... I don't care. I got Launch Control.

[pjunk1]

Yes... and it totally AWESOME!!

But like iconoclast says... make sure your Engine and Tranny is warm before launching. When you have it setup make sure your steering wheel is relatively straight, press firm on the brake and press the gas the way down. The book calls it a kick down? Anyways, your tach should shoot to 3,200 RPM and stay. You'll feel that your tranny won't release at the beginning. But it should be fine. Just press the gas a bit harder. When your ready to launch, release brake pedal and hold on to dear life. =) Btw, feel free to use your paddle shifts as your car may shoot past redline and shift late.

From what my dealer told me upon picking my baby up. The tranny on the TT is identical to the new A3's. Dunno if I can trust that but, hey... I don't care. I got Launch Control.

so, someone who has a '10 A3 has launch control. that's good to hear. i'll have to check it out soon. i'm just afraid if i don't have it, i may screw up the tranny.

is this possible if i don't LC?

thanks!

[Ayefore]

I know for sure the 2010's A3's have them, but not sure about the 09's. You can give it a try and still not break your Tranny. Once you press the gas pedal past 50% throttle, the DSG should release the clutch discs. Otherwise, you'll be brake boosting and you'll feel the car wanting to move. Obviously with Launch control, it will feel like you are sitting in neutral once your past 50% Throttle.

At first I was afraid like everyone else, but I'm pretty comfortable with it now. I'll try and scan my owner manual for the instructions.

[LWNY]

Every car has Launch control, you just have to find out how to access it. If your cat doesn't have the LC described above, you can access the undocumented one by:

1 - Turn of ESP
2 - Put on hand brake if you are on an incline
3 - Shift into Neutral
4 - Put your foot on the brake
5 - Put shifter between N and D
6 - Release brakes to see if you get the flashing D, repeat step 3-6 until you see the flashing D
7 - Shift into D, M or S
8 - Step on accelerator until the desired launch RPM is reached
9 - Release handbrakes (if you had it engaged)
10 - Tap on brake and at the same time, floor the accelerator.

[pjunk1]

I know for sure the 2010's A3's have them, but not sure about the 09's. You can give it a try and still not break your Tranny. Once you press the gas pedal past 50% throttle, the DSG should release the clutch discs. Otherwise, you'll be brake boosting and you'll feel the car wanting to move. Obviously with Launch control, it will feel like you are sitting in neutral once your past 50% Throttle.

At first I was afraid like everyone else, but I'm pretty comfortable with it now. I'll try and scan my owner manual for the instructions.

i'll have to give it a try.

the whole idea of throttle and stepping on the brake is a bit scary to me if i don't have LC.

thanks.

[pjunk1]

Every car has Launch control, you just have to find out how to access it. If your cat doesn't have the LC described above, you can access the undocumented one by:

1 - Turn of ESP
2 - Put on hand brake if you are on an incline
3 - Shift into Neutral
4 - Put your foot on the brake
5 - Put shifter between N and D
6 - Release brakes to see if you get the flashing D, repeat step 3-6 until you see the flashing D
7 - Shift into D, M or S
8 - Step on accelerator until the desired launch RPM is reached
9 - Release handbrakes (if you had it engaged)
10 - Tap on brake and at the same time, floor the accelerator.

i won't be giving this method a try.

[pjunk1]

I know for sure the 2010's A3's have them, but not sure about the 09's. You can give it a try and still not break your Tranny. Once you press the gas pedal past 50% throttle, the DSG should release the clutch discs. Otherwise, you'll be brake boosting and you'll feel the car wanting to move. Obviously with Launch control, it will feel like you are sitting in neutral once your past 50% Throttle.

At first I was afraid like everyone else, but I'm pretty comfortable with it now. I'll try and scan my owner manual for the instructions.

i just spoke with the service and sales guy at my dealership. the service guy didn't know and did some checking and came back with, "no". the sales guy, who knows quite a bit about cars, said he tried it on some of the '10 2.0T and couldn't get it to work. he even stated he got them up to temp and did all the steps but never got it to work.

i wonder if some do and some don't. i have FWD and i see you have QUATTRO. maybe that has something to do with it. nonetheless, i'll give it a shot when the car is warm and ready.

thanks.

[fusionx]

how much was that DSG tune anyway? I might get it done at the end of the month

$300 I think

[LWNY]

i won't be giving this method a try.

This is the same as launch control (which is basically dumping the clutch). Nobody goes nuts and does at 6000 RPM dump, but it is there just so that people know it is there.

[Ayefore]

I finally got a chance to scan my Manual. Hope this helps.

http://rapidshare.com/files/39717832...ntrol.pdf.html

[kampfer]

$300 I think

was that at AE?

[pjunk1]

I finally got a chance to scan my Manual. Hope this helps.

http://rapidshare.com/files/39717832...ntrol.pdf.html

ayefore, thanks for the scan but that's exactly the same as my owner's manual.

i wanted to see what launch control was all about. so, i borrowed my neighbors '09 TT Quattro. LC IS PRETTY COOL! i mainly wanted to see how the throttle reacts while reving before you let the brake pedal go to compare it to mine. this way i'll know what to look for when i attempt to see if my A3 has LC.

[Ayefore]

Ack... maybe Audi should of mentioned Quattro only. Good luck on your tries.

[pjunk1]

Ack... maybe Audi should of mentioned Quattro only. Good luck on your tries.

maybe that's what happened; they put launch control on the quattros only.

[sciblades]

i love my two step on my manual WOT box ftw
but for the dsg guys just get a dsg flash an you will have launch control

[pjunk1]

i love my two step on my manual WOT box ftw
but for the dsg guys just get a dsg flash an you will have launch control

damn! you have a lot of mods on your car. that thing must move!

yeah, i'm looking to do a ecu and dsg flash. ecu first then dsg. but, i'll probably stop there.

[iconoclast]

I finally got a chance to scan my Manual. Hope this helps.

http://rapidshare.com/files/39717832...ntrol.pdf.html

odd, my manual does not have this... (2007)

[Maitre Absolut]

i never saw it in the a3 manual, but i know for a fact i do not have it in the a3 3.2q.

Its in my 09 A3 3.2 manual and it definitely works

[krazyboi]

i love my two step on my manual WOT box ftw
but for the dsg guys just get a dsg flash an you will have launch control

Off thread...do you plan on upgrading your DSG clutches w/ your setup? Just wondering if its necessary.

yeah, i'm looking to do a ecu and dsg flash. ecu first then dsg. but, i'll probably stop there.

I have my HPA DSG Stage II flash for sale for $800 ($899 retail). You just have to pay me and either send your mechatronic unit to HPA, or drive to them.

[tcardio]

HPA Haldex/ HPA DSG Flash/LaunchContol/"quattro"(actually 4-motion) FTW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!