DSG changing to 2nd at low speed
Discussion
Following a main dealer service, the DSG in a Mk 7.5 Golf (1.5tsi) is changing to 2nd gear much earlier than before.
I suspect a software update at the service, but it's almost like the car is in ECO mode now at low speed sometimes despite using both Sport mode and Normal modes.
It's frustrating to drive when trying to pull into traffic at junctions and roundabouts. Take your foot off the brake, car starts creeping in 1st as normal but then when you go to accelerate you are already in second and left crawling out of the power until the revs build.
Could be the new software version of engine/DSG in Golfs has been tweaked for better emissions/economy but it's left you with a lack of initial response. You could maybe use manual first and then switch to drive mode, but it's not really what an automatic is for.
I'd though that the DSG was programmed to wait for higher upshift speeds in each more sportier drive mode, but this seems mixed up now.
Any idea what's causing it?
I suspect a software update at the service, but it's almost like the car is in ECO mode now at low speed sometimes despite using both Sport mode and Normal modes.
It's frustrating to drive when trying to pull into traffic at junctions and roundabouts. Take your foot off the brake, car starts creeping in 1st as normal but then when you go to accelerate you are already in second and left crawling out of the power until the revs build.
Could be the new software version of engine/DSG in Golfs has been tweaked for better emissions/economy but it's left you with a lack of initial response. You could maybe use manual first and then switch to drive mode, but it's not really what an automatic is for.
I'd though that the DSG was programmed to wait for higher upshift speeds in each more sportier drive mode, but this seems mixed up now.
Any idea what's causing it?
Thanks, the invoice just says standard full service carried out.
I managed to find someone online with a Skoda that had exactly the same issue - it's a software update, but apparently most people don't notice a difference. He finally managed to get them to roll back the software after a load of complaints, but most dealers won't do this. ALso found someone with a Polo online that had similar issues but couldn't be rolled back.
I did some more exploring today, if you creep then try to go it's in second with no response but if you only go from completely stopped and are firm with the pedal right away it does keep first until later.
While creeping it changes into second gear at 2mph now after the update. Fine in traffic, but not if you are creeping ready to go into a gap.
Probably emissions/wear related software update. One good thing with EVs in the future is we won't have these issues with throttle and gear response as they may be put in for emissions test reasons but that won't apply to an EV.
I managed to find someone online with a Skoda that had exactly the same issue - it's a software update, but apparently most people don't notice a difference. He finally managed to get them to roll back the software after a load of complaints, but most dealers won't do this. ALso found someone with a Polo online that had similar issues but couldn't be rolled back.
I did some more exploring today, if you creep then try to go it's in second with no response but if you only go from completely stopped and are firm with the pedal right away it does keep first until later.
While creeping it changes into second gear at 2mph now after the update. Fine in traffic, but not if you are creeping ready to go into a gap.
Probably emissions/wear related software update. One good thing with EVs in the future is we won't have these issues with throttle and gear response as they may be put in for emissions test reasons but that won't apply to an EV.
A story about this with Mrs Ubbs 2018 mk 7.5 gtd estate, car went to vw for an end of warranty check had to have this as we wanted to renew it to the “All in one warranty”
They told us there’s safety software update something to do with the steering, so we got it done didn’t notice anything with the steering but the dsg was awful afterwards.
There’s no difference between sport and drive immediately after the update, in winter we’d always drive it in sport as it would always hold a higher gear than drive, which would help with dpf regeneration (short winter journeys especially)
If you move between sport and drive at say 30mph previously it would drop to 3rd from 4th gear, no difference now.
It was definitely an emissions based update and not a steering safety related update.
ubbs
They told us there’s safety software update something to do with the steering, so we got it done didn’t notice anything with the steering but the dsg was awful afterwards.
There’s no difference between sport and drive immediately after the update, in winter we’d always drive it in sport as it would always hold a higher gear than drive, which would help with dpf regeneration (short winter journeys especially)
If you move between sport and drive at say 30mph previously it would drop to 3rd from 4th gear, no difference now.
It was definitely an emissions based update and not a steering safety related update.
ubbs
Yes, it does seem to be an emissions fix. The chap with the polo said it completely changed his car and his other polo he now tells the dealer not to do any software updates.
My golf is over 3 years old now, but I don't think it had been given a software update by the different dealers before.
Issues started after the last major service. Over the previous 20k miles/1 year it was fine, I never had to see what the gearbox was doing as it was pretty much always in the right gear.
It was always pulling away in first up to a reasonable speed, but now although it does start in first it is straight into second at the lowest speed unless you are going from a complete stop with a bit of heavier accelerator.
It also holds onto second now until you are virtually stopped, so if you slow for a roundabout and before completely stopping try to accelerate away you are in second with low revs so there is a delay.
My golf is over 3 years old now, but I don't think it had been given a software update by the different dealers before.
Issues started after the last major service. Over the previous 20k miles/1 year it was fine, I never had to see what the gearbox was doing as it was pretty much always in the right gear.
It was always pulling away in first up to a reasonable speed, but now although it does start in first it is straight into second at the lowest speed unless you are going from a complete stop with a bit of heavier accelerator.
It also holds onto second now until you are virtually stopped, so if you slow for a roundabout and before completely stopping try to accelerate away you are in second with low revs so there is a delay.
I'm pleased to report that the issue appears to have resolved itself.
I assume that when they update the software it resets it back to factory defaults, so takes a while for it to learn your driving style again.
Having travelled nearly 2k miles now since the update, it's responding well again as it was before the software update.
I assume that when they update the software it resets it back to factory defaults, so takes a while for it to learn your driving style again.
Having travelled nearly 2k miles now since the update, it's responding well again as it was before the software update.
I've driven loads of DSG vehicles, mostly Transporter Van's.
Every now and then one just doesn't feel right, behave like the others, or gives a slight vibration when changing up. They were mostly new vans, others used, but always low mileage if used.
I always wondered if it was a learning gearbox, thanks for verifying this.
The DSG on my TTRS was awful, truly bad.
Audi promised a software update would improve it.
That never materialised.
Every now and then one just doesn't feel right, behave like the others, or gives a slight vibration when changing up. They were mostly new vans, others used, but always low mileage if used.
I always wondered if it was a learning gearbox, thanks for verifying this.
The DSG on my TTRS was awful, truly bad.
Audi promised a software update would improve it.
That never materialised.
Glosphil said:
THE DSG does not 'learn' - that's a myth.
Mine has 'sleepy sport mode'.If you are cruising and driving gently in S it changes up early and down late, but after a few minutes of harder driving it switches over and will hold the revs much higher as well as changing down earlier and up later.
So much so, that if you are cruising after it has woken up it will be holding higher revs to give better response and I have to tap it into D so it changes up a few gears then back to S.
Back to cruising and it goes to sleep again.
Edited by Whataguy on Friday 7th July 17:53
Trevor555 said:
The DSG on my TTRS was awful, truly bad.
Audi promised a software update would improve it.
That never materialised.
The thing I absolutely hate on mine is the eco coasting function, something they have fitted to a few models now.Audi promised a software update would improve it.
That never materialised.
In D, when you let off the accelerator the gearbox disengages and you are coasting at idle out of gear until you touch the brake or accelerator.
It's why I leave my car in S all the time.
At least mine isn't the 130hp version, not only does that coast but it also switches the engine off too instead of idling.
Whataguy said:
The thing I absolutely hate on mine is the eco coasting function, something they have fitted to a few models now.
In D, when you let off the accelerator the gearbox disengages and you are coasting at idle out of gear until you touch the brake or accelerator.
In wife’s Tiguan that’s off by default - can be enabled in the cluster menu.In D, when you let off the accelerator the gearbox disengages and you are coasting at idle out of gear until you touch the brake or accelerator.
Sheepshanks said:
In wife’s Tiguan that’s off by default - can be enabled in the cluster menu.
Thanks, sadly in my Golf there isn't an option to turn it off. All I have are the drive modes and the gearbox D or S.I've had a T-Roc service loan car before with the same as my engine and that did have the option, so maybe they have added it to newer ones.
Whataguy said:
Thanks, sadly in my Golf there isn't an option to turn it off. All I have are the drive modes and the gearbox D or S.
I've had a T-Roc service loan car before with the same as my engine and that did have the option, so maybe they have added it to newer ones.
Her Tiguan in a late mk 1 - 2015.I've had a T-Roc service loan car before with the same as my engine and that did have the option, so maybe they have added it to newer ones.
Does yours do that thing where it's not just coasting as if in neutral, it turns the engine off too? I've seen it referred to as the "sailing" function.
Sheepshanks said:
Her Tiguan in a late mk 1 - 2015.
Does yours do that thing where it's not just coasting as if in neutral, it turns the engine off too? I've seen it referred to as the "sailing" function.
My 150hp just goes to idle when coasting in D. It's the 130hp version of my car that has the engine off feature. Does yours do that thing where it's not just coasting as if in neutral, it turns the engine off too? I've seen it referred to as the "sailing" function.
On the 130hp it also switches the engine off when the gearbox is in sport mode I believe.
I didn't know about this when I bought my car so could have easily purchased the 130hp version.
On mine, I get virtually the same mpg in sport or drive gearbox modes as it's mostly cruising on the motorway.
I'm pleased with the mpg, 45-50 which is about the same as my Toyota auris hybrid and volvo diesels I've owned. Even a hybrid Honda jazz I had would only do 50.
It's only in town or short trips where I get lower mpg.
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