What exactly does drive select do? Car has sport diff

[WhereDaGold]

I have a 2012 B8 S4 with DSG and sport diff. Just got dual APR pulleys and stage 2 tune fwiw. What exactly is the difference between Auto, Comfort, and Dynamic mode?

[2by2handsofblue]

Basically dynamic is the sportiest setting. Just makes the drivetrain more responsive, stiffens the suspension and steering.
Some car manufacturers are better than others. I notice a difference when do it on my b8.5 s5

we are the borg! resistance is futile.

[WhereDaGold]

I was told that dynamic only changes the suspension and steering, which is why I’m asking here. So choosing dynamic increases the power or responsiveness in some way? I thought the car drove quicker/more sporty when in dynamic but then wasn’t sure what to think when I was told those modes only changed steering and suspension

[Clintster]

So in my experience the drive select button only changes the suspension/steering in my B8.5. Selecting dynamic mode from the MMI does all that and puts the transmission in sport mode as well. And finally, at least with DSG, you can put it in sport mode by pulling back on the “stick” and I honestly don’t know if this changes the suspension or steering.


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[WhereDaGold]

Ok another thing I’m confused about is the differences for selecting different modes between b8 and b8.5. My b8 has the 3 options on the center console and two arrow buttons to choose between the modes. On my shifter, when in D, I can push it to the right (and it stays to the right) and at that point I can push it forward or back to upshift/downshift. I don’t even know if I can changes modes through the MMI

[LYKUNO]

Ok another thing I’m confused about is the differences for selecting different modes between b8 and b8.5. My b8 has the 3 options on the center console and two arrow buttons to choose between the modes. On my shifter, when in D, I can push it to the right (and it stays to the right) and at that point I can push it forward or back to upshift/downshift. I don’t even know if I can changes modes through the MMI

If you have the owners manual for your 2012 S4, you'll find the Audi Drive Select description and options on pages 122 and 123. If you don't have the manual, here's a copy and paste of the relevant text from a PDF copy (less the diagrams/pictures of the buttons, etc).

Introduction
Audi drive select provides the possibility to experience different types of vehicle settings in one vehicle. For instance, using the three COMFORT, AUTO and DYNAMIC modes, the driver can switch from a sporty to a comfortable driving mode with the press of a button.

Additionally, in vehicles with MMI*, the vehicle setup for INDIVIDUAL* mode can be customized by you. This makes it possible to combine settings such as a sporty engine tuning with light steering.

Description
The vehicle setup in each mode depends on the vehicle's features. However, the engine and servotronic are always affected. The automatic transmission*, dynamic steering* and adaptive dampers* are also adjustable.

Depending on the mode, the engine and automatic transmission* respond more quickly or in a more balanced manner to accelerator pedal movements.

The Servotronic (steering servo assistance) [see page 204] can also be adapted to driving situations.

Dynamic steering* changes the steering ratio as a function of the driving speed in order to optimize the driver's required steering effort. This sets the steering to be less sensitive at higher speeds in order to provide greater control over the vehicle. At reduced speeds, however, steering is more direct in order to keep the steering effort as minimal as possible when the driver is maneuvering the vehicle. At low and average speeds, dynamic steering additionally provides more responsive steering performance. The driver can set the basic steering ratio characteristics.

The adaptive dampers* use sensors to record information regarding steering movements, braking and acceleration operations by the driver, road surface, driving speed, and load. This makes it possible to adapt damping to the driving situation virtually in real time. Audi drive select also makes it possible to satisfy the desire for sporty suspension (DYNAMIC) and comfortable suspension (COMFORT) without giving up balanced tuning (AUTO). If your vehicle is equipped with dynamic steering*, servotronic can also be adjusted under the menu item Dyn. steering.

Selecting the driving mode
You can choose between COMFORT, AUTO, DYNAMICand INDIVIDUAL* modes. The control is located on the shift gate in vehicles with a radio, and in vehicles with MMI*, it is located in the center console.

- Turn on the ignition.
- Press the left or right arrow button until the desired mode appears in red.

You can change the driving mode when the vehicle is stationary or while driving . If traffic permits, after changing modes, briefly take
your foot off the accelerator pedal so that the recently selected mode is also activated for the engine and transmission.

COMFORT
The COMFORT mode provides a comfortable vehicle setting. The engine and automatic transmission* respond in a balanced manner when the accelerator pedal is pressed or released. Steering is light and indirect*, and adaptive dampers* provide a soft suspension. The setting is ideal for driving on long stretches, such as on freeways.

AUTO
Full use of AUTO provides a comfortable, yet dynamic feel. The setting is perfect for daily use.

DYNAMIC
DYNAMIC gives the vehicle a sporty feeling. The engine responds quickly to accelerator pedal movements, and steering is sporty and more direct. The adaptive dampers* are adjusted to provide a stiffer suspension and the automatic transmission* shifts at higher RPMs. The setting is ideal for sporty driving.

INDIVIDUAL*
You can adapt this mode to your personal needs in the MMI*.

Setting the Individual Mode (Applies to vehicles: with MMI and drive select)
You can personally specify the vehicle setup in the MMI.
Select: 'CAR' > Audi drive select individual. You need to select this control to drive in the recently set INDIVIDUAL mode. Note: Your INDIVIDUAL mode settings are auto-matically stored and assigned to the remote control key being used.

[2by2handsofblue]

I was told that dynamic only changes the suspension and steering, which is why I’m asking here. So choosing dynamic increases the power or responsiveness in some way? I thought the car drove quicker/more sporty when in dynamic but then wasn’t sure what to think when I was told those modes only changed steering and suspension

Not increase the power. But more responsive

we are the borg! resistance is futile.

[OliNix]

I will explain what it causally does not the Audi sales spiel. Think of them as delay settings between you and the car.

THROTTLE RESPONSE
Dynamic is a direct connection, comfort is a heavily damped so it is not as jerky to drive. If I explain this with a graph, this is the ECUs response of power to when you put your foot down. The overdamped line is comfort and the critically damped line is dynamic (the under damped line is if it has no filtering and would make it super jerky to drive).




This is done to filter out small changes in your pedal position, which you don’t actually want the car to react to (i.e. you go over a bump in the road, you don’t want the car to suddenly accelerate because you foot moved a little on the pedal from the bump). Comfort is more damped/delayed as you don’t want to accelerate full beans when driving comfortably, assumin you are full throttle, it will still give you the power, just maybe 0.5s later than in dynamic. Dynamic on the other hand will try to reach max power ASAP without overshooting and oscillating, like the under damped line.

TRANSMISSION
It only makes a difference if you have a DSG. The drive select changes the harshness and speed of the shifts. This is done by changing clutch handover time. In comfort it is nice and comfortable with no jerk (jerk is the rate of change of acceleration). Dynamic does it as fast as it can and will have more jerk, maybe a slight kick as it changes.

SUSPENSION
Only makes a difference if you have dynamic dampers. It changes the stiffness of them between Comfort and Dynamic.

STEERING
This again works like the THROTTLE response, but with steering wheel position.

SPORTS DIFF
This changes the amount that the diff torque vectors. In dynamic it will send more torque to the side that needs it (outside wheel of corner). In comfort it will send maybe 1/2 of this amount. When accelerating it will also change the amount the diff is locked (it locks it by using a clutch). In dynamic it will lock it as much as possible for max traction, but also makes it more jerky to drive (think driving a car with a welded diff). In comfort it reduces this locking torque so the wheels can still move at different speeds left to right, but also gives some locking to aid traction.

[2by2handsofblue]

I will explain what it causally does not the Audi sales spiel. Think of them as delay settings between you and the car.

THROTTLE RESPONSE
Dynamic is a direct connection, comfort is a heavily damped so it is not as jerky to drive. If I explain this with a graph, this is the ECUs response of power to when you put your foot down. The overdamped line is comfort and the critically damped line is dynamic (the under damped line is if it has no filtering and would make it super jerky to drive).




This is done to filter out small changes in your pedal position, which you don’t actually want the car to react to (i.e. you go over a bump in the road, you don’t want the car to suddenly accelerate because you foot moved a little on the pedal from the bump). Comfort is more damped/delayed as you don’t want to accelerate full beans when driving comfortably, assumin you are full throttle, it will still give you the power, just maybe 0.5s later than in dynamic. Dynamic on the other hand will try to reach max power ASAP without overshooting and oscillating, like the under damped line.

TRANSMISSION
It only makes a difference if you have a DSG. The drive select changes the harshness and speed of the shifts. This is done by changing clutch handover time. In comfort it is nice and comfortable with no jerk (jerk is the rate of change of acceleration). Dynamic does it as fast as it can and will have more jerk, maybe a slight kick as it changes.

SUSPENSION
Only makes a difference if you have dynamic dampers. It changes the stiffness of them between Comfort and Dynamic.

STEERING
This again works like the THROTTLE response, but with steering wheel position.

SPORTS DIFF
This changes the amount that the diff torque vectors. In dynamic it will send more torque to the side that needs it (outside wheel of corner). In comfort it will send maybe 1/2 of this amount. When accelerating it will also change the amount the diff is locked (it locks it by using a clutch). In dynamic it will lock it as much as possible for max traction, but also makes it more jerky to drive (think driving a car with a welded diff). In comfort it reduces this locking torque so the wheels can still move at different speeds left to right, but also gives some locking to aid traction.

Thanks

we are the borg! resistance is futile.

[Austin88]

SPORTS DIFF
This changes the amount that the diff torque vectors. In dynamic it will send more torque to the side that needs it (outside wheel of corner). In comfort it will send maybe 1/2 of this amount. When accelerating it will also change the amount the diff is locked (it locks it by using a clutch). In dynamic it will lock it as much as possible for max traction, but also makes it more jerky to drive (think driving a car with a welded diff). In comfort it reduces this locking torque so the wheels can still move at different speeds left to right, but also gives some locking to aid traction.

Thank you OliNix! I had the same question and could not find in previous threads. I always thought I had full ADS (dynamic suspension) but I just installed 034 lowering springs and discovered I have regular sport shocks. I thought I had ADS because I notice a HUGE difference in ride quality toggling sport diff from comfort to dynamic in the MMI on individual mode. There is one road in particular where dynamic shakes the entire car and comfort feels like a B9 A4 it’s so smooth. After much playing around for daily driving I like to customize “individual mode” to dynamic engine, auto steering, comfort diff, and comfort engine noise (shuts off soundaktor).

I’ve seen people call this setup “ADS lite”. Just wants to comment how big of a difference it makes and thanks to OliNix for explaining why. Makes sense when you explain it like a welded diff vs. wheels can move more freely.

[kevinz]

If you have the owners manual for your 2012 S4..

that was the most polite RTFM I have ever seen...

[LYKUNO]

that was the most polite RTFM I have ever seen...

LOL LOL

[2by2handsofblue]

that was the most polite RTFM I have ever seen...

What does RTFM mean lol

we are the borg! resistance is futile.

[OliNix]

What does RTFM mean lol

we are the borg! resistance is futile.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RTFM

[2by2handsofblue]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RTFM

Hahahaha

we are the borg! resistance is futile.

[evanb]

I will explain what it causally does not the Audi sales spiel. Think of them as delay settings between you and the car.

THROTTLE RESPONSE
Dynamic is a direct connection, comfort is a heavily damped so it is not as jerky to drive. If I explain this with a graph, this is the ECUs response of power to when you put your foot down. The overdamped line is comfort and the critically damped line is dynamic (the under damped line is if it has no filtering and would make it super jerky to drive).




This is done to filter out small changes in your pedal position, which you don’t actually want the car to react to (i.e. you go over a bump in the road, you don’t want the car to suddenly accelerate because you foot moved a little on the pedal from the bump). Comfort is more damped/delayed as you don’t want to accelerate full beans when driving comfortably, assumin you are full throttle, it will still give you the power, just maybe 0.5s later than in dynamic. Dynamic on the other hand will try to reach max power ASAP without overshooting and oscillating, like the under damped line.

TRANSMISSION
It only makes a difference if you have a DSG. The drive select changes the harshness and speed of the shifts. This is done by changing clutch handover time. In comfort it is nice and comfortable with no jerk (jerk is the rate of change of acceleration). Dynamic does it as fast as it can and will have more jerk, maybe a slight kick as it changes.

SUSPENSION
Only makes a difference if you have dynamic dampers. It changes the stiffness of them between Comfort and Dynamic.

STEERING
This again works like the THROTTLE response, but with steering wheel position.

SPORTS DIFF
This changes the amount that the diff torque vectors. In dynamic it will send more torque to the side that needs it (outside wheel of corner). In comfort it will send maybe 1/2 of this amount. When accelerating it will also change the amount the diff is locked (it locks it by using a clutch). In dynamic it will lock it as much as possible for max traction, but also makes it more jerky to drive (think driving a car with a welded diff). In comfort it reduces this locking torque so the wheels can still move at different speeds left to right, but also gives some locking to aid traction.

Nicely done!