Car settings - real or imagined?

[Lunchtimer]

Economy, Comfort, Automatic, Dynamic... all mode options on the MMI car setup screen - but what do they do?
Sure, Economy makes the gear number appear as 'E4' 'E7' etc. (mine's an automatic) and it can coast if you take your foot off the accelerator (under some circumstances).
Automatic gears are presented as the normal 'D3' 'D6' etc.
Dynamic gets into the sports gear settings 'S4' 'S5' etc. that are also accessible by pulling back on the gear selector stalk.
OK, so all that's clear and obvious. My question is 'what (if anything) do these different modes actually make to anything else in the car's setup?
Am I imagining that 'E' makes the car just be less responsive when accelerating?
Does 'Comfort' make the car wallow and have less distinct steering, but also soften the ride? etc. etc.

Does anyone out there know what these settings are supposed to do please? Or are they actually just smoke and mirrors?
Many thanks!

btw... 65-plate A6 FL 2.0 S-Line Ultra auto

[Bigdom91]

Economy, Comfort, Automatic, Dynamic... all mode options on the MMI car setup screen - but what do they do?
Sure, Economy makes the gear number appear as 'E4' 'E7' etc. (mine's an automatic) and it can coast if you take your foot off the accelerator (under some circumstances).
Automatic gears are presented as the normal 'D3' 'D6' etc.
Dynamic gets into the sports gear settings 'S4' 'S5' etc. that are also accessible by pulling back on the gear selector stalk.
OK, so all that's clear and obvious. My question is 'what (if anything) do these different modes actually make to anything else in the car's setup?
Am I imagining that 'E' makes the car just be less responsive when accelerating?
Does 'Comfort' make the car wallow and have less distinct steering, but also soften the ride? etc. etc.

Does anyone out there know what these settings are supposed to do please? Or are they actually just smoke and mirrors?
Many thanks!

btw... 65-plate A6 FL 2.0 S-Line Ultra auto

I first thought it was just a gimmick when I bought my 13 plate 2.0 TDI Manual but after using each one i think the only thing it changes really is throttle responsiveness and the feel of the steering i dont think it changes to much on making it more or less efficient but thats just what i feel.


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[johnsimcox]

"E" setting also affects the climate control system to reduce fuel consumption. Suspension settings are only affected if you have the air suspension option

[Elansear]

Hi. Dynamic moves the shift points higher in the rev range and sharp changes, makes the steering feel a little more responsive, as said only effects suspension if you have air. Comfort moves gear changes to there lower end and appear to be softer more lazy when changing also noticed a little bit of coasting at times. Auto, what is says on the tin, depending on how you drive it adapts, I'e, foot to the floor moves shift point higher, but it can confuse itself and change down with perhaps only 1000 rpm left then changes into the gear you were in then up the box. Personally I leave it in Auto and if I need to floor it just put it in Sport by knocking the shifter backwards, it stays in Sport until you knock it backwards again, then it goes back to Auto ( drive). Hope this helps...

[Whippy53]

E also effects cruise as well as AC.

[artheb]

E = don’t use it! I hate how it feels, great change is not smooth and judder at times. Only times when you want to use it is motorway, still annoying though. I drive on D and S only.


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[ukgroucho]

On the 8 speed tiptronics (BiTdi) S mode also means it will not automatically change up into 8th gear (at least not at sane road speeds) - you can force it with the paddles of course.
I'd always assumed that for the s-Tronics they would not shift up into 7th automatically when in S mode - maybe someone can confirm.

[Odee]

I'd always assumed that for the s-Tronics they would not shift up into 7th automatically when in S mode - maybe someone can confirm.

S-tronic gearbox does not show 7th gear in S mode.

John

[Tripletrouble]

S-tronic gearbox does not show 7th gear in S mode.

John

I hate to disagree but mine does. I never have my car in anything other than S and it's in 7th most of the time with CC on at 75mph.

[Alan02]

S-tronic gearbox does not show 7th gear in S mode.

John

It does show on mine.....eventually.

Also, i hate `E`....I would love to meet anyone who can put up with such lethargic throttle response, yes its there for a purpose but you feel you need to get out n push. Only used it once!