Launch Control

[jc522]

My TTS had a DSG, and Launch Control was an option. The B9.5 S4 with a ZF trans doesn't have Launch Control, but is there a way to do a Launch Control-type start without hurting the trans? I raced an S3 recently. I don't know if he was chipped, but it sounded like he did use Launch Control. He beat me by several car lengths off the line. After that neither of us gained any ground.

How can I get off the line faster without damaging the ZF? Back in the muscle-car days we would brake-torque the trans, but that would fry it pretty quick. I've avoided trying that with my S4.

[Nzdan]

You won't hurt the ZF
Dynamic mode/Transmission in S, ESC and stop-start disabled, then brake boost and launch.

[jc522]

You won't hurt the ZF
Dynamic mode/Transmission in S, ESC and stop-start disabled, then brake boost and launch.

You've done this frequently? No offense, but I need some convincing. What is it about the ZF that prevents brake-torquing from boiling the trans fluid and cooking the valve seals?

[GoCougs1234]

Actually, there is indeed launch control in the B9.5 3.0T vehicles. See your owner's manual on how to engage it (for my vehicle (2021 SQ5) see pg. 102 and the section titled, "Launch Control"). Also, a launch control counter, including for the first three shifts, is available via an OBD-II reader. IME, not engaging launch control will cost you at least 0.5 sec 0-60 and 0.5 sec in the 1/4 mile - so when engaged will you will easily best an S3.

I've had much (MUCH) old school Detroit iron. You'd fry the tranny only if you brake-torqued for extended time. The modern slushie AT design hasn't changed a ton since the late '50s when the first legit automatic transmission hit the scene (Mopar's TorqueFlight). One modern addition however are sensors and algorithms to keep things safe - if you use launch control too much it simply won't engage (IME, you have to wait 2-3 minutes between launches, sometimes more if you do many launches in a row) and sometimes you'll get a warning about excess tranny temps.

I'm at 84,000 miles and have 300+ launches registered with the majority of the miles and launches either on Stage 1 or Stage 3 and all works like a champ. I follow a number of Audi mod channels I follow report the same - I'm not sure I've ever heard of a ZF8 failure due to launching/performance driving and these guys are putting down WAY more power and launching on prepped surfaces. The most I hear about; and it's not uncommon; are broken axles (but only on Stage 3+).

[Andy_FL]

Also, a launch control counter, including for the first three shifts, is available via an OBD-II reader.

Can you elaborate on where to find said launch counter? I've looked in VCDS, but not been able to find it.

[GoCougs1234]

Can you elaborate on where to find said launch counter? I've looked in VCDS, but not been able to find it.

Hmmm. I use OBDeleven - "Transmission" control unit -> "Live data" -> "Launch control counter."

[Nzdan]

You've done this frequently? No offense, but I need some convincing. What is it about the ZF that prevents brake-torquing from boiling the trans fluid and cooking the valve seals?

Yes, you'll also find the instructions in the user manual.

[jc522]

I've looked in both the online and paper 2024 manuals and I cannot find any reference to Launch Control. Maybe I overlooked it. I'd appreciate it if someone could give me a page number.

[Nzdan]

It's definitely in mine, but mine is pre-facelift so maybe they changed the manual

[jc522]

It's definitely in mine, but mine is pre-facelift so maybe they changed the manual

I watched some Youtube videos of guys brake torquing the B9. Unlike the DSG where it is in neutral until you let off the brake, the RPMs go up and they have to stand on the brake pedal to keep the car from creeping forward. That has to put a lot of strain (and heat) on the torque converter. But, Like GoCougs, they say that they use it on a regular basis and none mention any damage. Maybe the ZF or TCU has enough smarts to not allow you to overheat it.

I'll have to try it at least once, and (unfortunately) there aren't that many drag race opportunities where I'd really need to use it, so once in a great while it probably can't hurt the ZF. I had a BMW M6 or M7 next to me at a light yesterday, but he wouldn't race. I think they are seriously fast, so he probably thought I wasn't worth bothering with.

I dug thru the manuals again, it isn't there. Did they change something between the B9 and my B9.5?

[S4James]

do try it, its hilariously fun.

[jc522]

do try it, its hilariously fun.

I will. And I'll get out my G-Tech meter and do some 0 to 60 timings with and without "Launch Control", too.

[E.Anderson]

You can tell when it's using launch control....Hard on the brake like they mentioned above, you'll see/feel the stall go up to around 3500 while the boost builds.

[Helladrew]

My brother has done countless launches in his 2019 and regularly tracks it for the last 60k and no signs of trans shitting the bed. Fluid looked normally dirty at 60k oil change interval. I launch all the time without issue and so does my buddy in his b9.5.


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[jc522]

I plan to see how it works and then save it for the right opportunity, like that S3 or a BMW at a stoplight.

[E.Anderson]

Since you're in IL. Launch control is most fun when you're on summer tires and it's a cool 50 degree morning. Just enough to slide around a bit.

[jc522]

Since you're in IL. Launch control is most fun when you're on summer tires and it's a cool 50 degree morning. Just enough to slide around a bit.

I have AS tires, but it'll be cool enough tomorrow morning when I try it out. Should be fun.

[FromS60toB61.8t]

- Hold your traction control button for ~5-6 sec, long enough for it to disengage traction control, and then it will disengage all other traction features after holding it longer.
- Put car into dynamic mode and "S" or manual mode
- Hold the brake and push the throttle

It will hold and build boost for ~5 sec or so (I don't know the exact time). You have to time it just right where it's built enough boost but not too long so it disengages. Sometimes I've noticed the best launches are when you time is just as the RPM's hit the hold RPM and it takes off like a rocket.

Make sure you have everything secured though, it pulls alot of G's. Typically my sunroof cover opens. The first ever time I tried it and I had my sunglasses sitting on top of my head and they got launched into the back seat.[/QUOTE]

[jc522]

- Hold your traction control button for ~5-6 sec, long enough for it to disengage traction control, and then it will disengage all other traction features after holding it longer.
- Put car into dynamic mode and "S" or manual mode
- Hold the brake and push the throttle

It will hold and build boost for ~5 sec or so (I don't know the exact time). You have to time it just right where it's built enough boost but not too long so it disengages. Sometimes I've noticed the best launches are when you time is just as the RPM's hit the hold RPM and it takes off like a rocket.

Make sure you have everything secured though, it pulls alot of G's. Typically my sunroof cover opens. The first ever time I tried it and I had my sunglasses sitting on top of my head and they got launched into the back seat.

[/QUOTE]

I did 8 runs today, 4 with and 4 without "Launch Control", and I let the trans cool after each one.

I agree that I had to catch it just right. With a ZF it's a brake-torque, not a real DCT-type Launch Control. You can't run it up to 3000 RPM in neutral and wait for the light to turn green. If you wait a fraction of a second after peak RPM, the computer shuts you down. The best time I got was when I released the brake just before the RPMs peaked. It was difficult to know right where that peak was going to be, and it's probably very difficult to time it right when you are trying to coordinate with a stoplight that is about to turn green.

At least I was able to verify that the car is as fast as advertised. The Gtech accelerometer registered an average of 5.09 seconds without brake-torquing and 4.36 with it. My best run was 4.14. The Dragger GPS app averaged 5.19 and 4.75 respectively, with less consistency. Best run was 4.49. Same run that Gtech clocked at 4.14.

[Turbanator]

I believe the reason you couldn't find launch control in your manual is because, at least in the case of my 23 S5, the manual implies that only the RS5 is capable of proper launch control, with a dedicated mode, but as there is no RS4 in the United States, the NA manual simply excludes it for the A4/S4. That being said, you noticed over half a second quicker acceleration with brake torquing and the steps outlined above are the same as those mentioned in the manual, so I'm sure the feature still works in the S level cars, just without the bells and whistles the RS cars give you.

[BoostedTim]

Launch is an amazing part of B[emoji[emoji[emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji[emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji[emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji[emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]]]]]]] life. Consistently tracked and launched [emoji[emoji[emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji[emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji[emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji[emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]]]]]]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]]]k mile B[emoji[emoji[emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji[emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji[emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji[emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]]]]]]] S[emoji[emoji[emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji[emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]]]]] and zero issues whatsoever. These cars deserve to have the shit beat out of them [emoji[emoji6][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]]]


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[BoostedTim]

I don’t know why my response turned out like that lol consistently tracked and launched [emoji[emoji[emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji[emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji[emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji[emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]]]]]]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]]]k mile B[emoji[emoji[emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji[emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji[emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji[emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]]]]]]] and no transmission issues whatsoever. Launching is part of life, and part of showing Teslas what’s up


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[Dan99]

...You can't run it up to 3000 RPM in neutral and wait for the light to turn green.

We used to call this a "neutral drop". I imagine its much harder on the transmission than brake-torquing.

[TJay74]

The B9+ S4 has AMAX mode which is the form of Launch Control for the model. As said with the vehicle warmed up put the vehicle in Dynamic, then put the shifter in "S" mode then just hit the DSC button once(no need to hold it down on the 8.5+ models). Then pump the brake 2-3 times and then hold it to the floor, it has to be held very firmly and to the floor. If you dont and the brake pressure doesnt register high enough the car wont enter AMAX mode. Then floor the vehicle, once the RPM's hit 2800 or more let go of the brakes.

If you have done everything correctly the next 3 shifts will shift firmer and without any timing cuts that normally happen on WOT shifts.