Advice on driving a A6 S tronic

[sailfree]

Just changed from a manual box A6 to a new S tronic A6.

I appreciate that its really a 7 speed gearbox with 2 automatic clutches rather than a conventional auto gearbox with a torque converter.

When stationary the car wants to slowly creep forwards unless the brakes are applied. I therefore assume there is friction in the multiplate clutches.

If you stop at traffic lights to you change to "N" to reduce clutch plate wear?

Salesman said just leave it in "D" but he would get a new demonstrator every 6 months!

[rowdy-999]

This is what all autos will do. Perfectly normal.
I can't see it causing wear.....maybe if stationary for a longer period pop it into N.

[Rower1978]

Can safely say I've never used 'N' on my S-tronic. Honestly don't see the point in it. S-Tronic is superb though.

[sailfree]

This is what all autos will do. Perfectly normal.
I can't see it causing wear.....maybe if stationary for a longer period pop it into N.

Perfectly normal with a conventional auto with a Torque converter where there are no parts in contact just vanes in an oil so movement of one induces movement in the other but nothing to wear.

i suspect the S tronic may be ok in D as there are two wet multiplate clutchs.

be interested in replies from those with heavy milage including lots of traffic jams etc ( which is where an auto comes into it own) as that's the final proof of whether it wears.

used to repair cars 40yrs ago and generally a driver in tune with the car hence on my A4 I had to change the front disc pads at 97k mls! Didn't have the heart to complain to Audi!!

[MarkTM]

Since passing my test in 1982 I've driven nothing but automatics, then they were seen more as a luxury, however there is no reason that a well engineered auto can't out accelerate the best manual driver...just depends how good the 'puter' is. Have driven CVT and conventional auto's

Estimate I've driven on average 15k miles per annum, with the heaviest being just shy of 40k for a couple of years....so that's circa half a million miles, have always held it on the brake in drive at lights. However, if in an 'ongoing stationary situation' :) I'll put it into neutral and even turn off the engine and apply handbrake....usually central London or the carpark that is the M25.

Never had a gearbox fail me yet...just ensure you change the fluid as the gearbox manufacturer (not the vehicle maker) states.

[Guest 2]

Can safely say I've never used 'N' on my S-tronic. Honestly don't see the point in it. S-Tronic is superb though.

Likewise, S-tronic is the bee's knees. Love it in my quattro A4, prefer it over the tiptronic in my old A6.

[Scott K]

I read that the s tronic creep is programmed into the gearbox. Apparently the clutch is disengaged when the brake is on. Would be good to get some definitive answers.

[ukgroucho]

I read that the s tronic creep is programmed into the gearbox. Apparently the clutch is disengaged when the brake is on. Would be good to get some definitive answers.

That would make a lot of sense.

- Stationary with brake on = clutch disengaged (prevents wear).
- Release brake and clutch engages for "creep"

[Westyfield2]

Most of the time I just keep my foot on the brake. Apologies to the car behind for burning out their retinas!
Occasionally I'll put the parking brake on. Or when I remember, I'll press the auto-hold button at the start of the journey and have it do it for me.

[Royston Ford]

As other posters said, when stationary, the clutch is disengaged. As you come off the brake, it progressively engages like a robot left foot. I'm conscious not to let it creep while riding the brake in case that has the clutch slipping, which seems logical. I try to make sure I'm either stopped totally or fully off the brake to move.

I think (feel) that the A6 s-tronic has a sort of snatch to the braking at the last moment when the car seems to lurch slightly to a full stop. Is that possibly down to the moment when the clutch disengages?

[Kar Krazy]

I think (feel) that the A6 s-tronic has a sort of snatch to the braking at the last moment when the car seems to lurch slightly to a full stop. Is that possibly down to the moment when the clutch disengages?

My S-Tronic A3 is just like this. Pressing progressively on the brake, you start to feel the engine trying to pull against you, then there comes a point where it disengages the clutch entirely with a slight lurch. Then letting the brake up slowly, drive does not return until the pedal moves past this point. So with the brake pedal fully down, the clutch is fully disengaged. I guess that means there is no slipping and wear of the clutch at this point.

[Greedy]

Does your auto hold turn off each time you turn the car off? Mine stays on permanently so never have to sit with a foot on the pedal, I do feel that lurch as the clutch disengages at full stop though.