Gear changing

[moptisam2]

What are members' experiences?

Sometimes very easy, often 'knobbly' - as I remember one other person saying.

Occasionally I have trouble getting 1st from a standstill (Yes, I am depressing the clutch fully). It is as though there is a bar stopping the gear from getting 1st. In that case I have to take my foot off the clutch and do it again.

Anyone else have this experience?

[kelvinbishop]

This is my fifth Audi (2 xTT, 1 x A3 & 2 x A4) they have all been like this. Although I think the B8 is the best I have had so far. It goes into first most times without trouble and the remaing gears change quite smoothly almost all of the time.

[AndyH123]

Coming up to 4,500 miles and still have the occasional 'locked 1st' as you describe it. Hard to say whether the box has loosened up or I've just got used to it, but I'd say it is better than it was at new.

I'm a fan of clunky / knobbly boxes, I'd say this is a very good one. I was lucky enough to play with a few new Boxsters a little while back and they were far worse - often struggled to get into 2nd which, as you can imagine, takes a bit of the fun out of it :)

[alexcf]

Anyone here got a 3.0TDI and find that when reversing it's not very smooth?

[dorgan]

Same here with 1st gear. Sometimes I feel as if I'm going to snap something off in that I have to use a bit of force to get it into first. Other times it slides in smoothly. Going from 5th to 4th is a bit tricky still as I drop it into 6th by mistake.

[jcb]

Same here with 1st gear. Sometimes I feel as if I'm going to snap something off in that I have to use a bit of force to get it into first. Other times it slides in smoothly. Going from 5th to 4th is a bit tricky still as I drop it into 6th by mistake.

where does the gearlever sit natually if you put it in neutral and let go - is it below 3rd and above 4th (normally here for a 6 speed). is so then breifly let go when coming down from 5th and it will natually sit above 4th !

[moptisam2]

Thanks to everyone for their replies.

I am surprised that this happens. I've been driving since 1975 and can't remember having this problem with 1st - except with my B7 A4 (and Audi changed the gearbox, but didn't solve the problem) on any other make.

My concern, apart from it being a bit of a pain having to go through the process again to get 1st, is of serious problems resulting with the gearbox leading to hefty repair bills.

Thanks again

[billp2]

I have had my car for 2 days now and i can sense a bump or two coming up :aargh4:. anyone else have the habit of sitting at lights ect holding gear lever in neutral and pushing up to left for first gear..... and finding out its REVERSE!!!!! happened to me twice so far, is it just me or what?
anyway i have found no others probs, drives like a dream.......:beerchug:

[AndyH123]

Had this thread in mind while driving home yesterday, a couple of thoughts:

5th to 4th - I find this a straight flick downwards, can't really offer any advice as I can't ever see mine accidentally going into 6th.

Going into 1st - I've realised I have a habit. If it's 'sticky' then what I'm doing is holding it against the pressure point for a few seconds before applying more pressure to get it in. Seems to do the trick most times and I'm never forcing it. Also, for some reason, if I've had an awkward 1st then I immediately drop to neutral and go again, 99.9% of the time its fine.

Dunno if that makes any sense, its probably just a variation on 'hand off, re-apply clutch, try again'.

[moptisam2]

Thanks again to everyone.

I'm still not happy about the situation, but at least I know that it's just not me!!

It also just takes the edge off what I think is a *loody excellent car. I love it.

When I see BMW 3 or 5 series now (especially after having had a 2 day test drive of a 320 D SE) I just think "Mug. You wasted your money"

[alexcf]

I have had my car for 2 days now and i can sense a bump or two coming up :aargh4:. anyone else have the habit of sitting at lights ect holding gear lever in neutral and pushing up to left for first gear..... and finding out its REVERSE!!!!! happened to me twice so far, is it just me or what?
anyway i have found no others probs, drives like a dream.......:beerchug:
Thats what I love about having park assist, beens when you stick it in reverse :p

[dorgan]

I have had my car for 2 days now and i can sense a bump or two coming up :aargh4:. anyone else have the habit of sitting at lights ect holding gear lever in neutral and pushing up to left for first gear..... and finding out its REVERSE!!!!! happened to me twice so far, is it just me or what?
anyway i have found no others probs, drives like a dream.......:beerchug:

Oh man. If you're slipping it into reverse then you must be seriously damaging your gearbox as it's required that you push down first to get it into reverse. I presume it's to avoid doing what you're somehow managing to do.

[billp2]

I not slipping into reverse when driving, its when i stop at lights etc when stationary.... i have a habit of pushing lever down when i go into first gear, always done that but never had a car that reverse is at top left......

[moptisam2]

I want to contact Audi UK about this problem ('feature') about the difficulty with getting into 1st and with my letter send a copy of members' replies to the thread.

If anyone does not want me to include their comments, or just to obliterate their names, but send the comment, pls let me know.

I'll wait until early next week before sending my letter.

[moptisam2]

Yesterday I spoke to Audi Customer Service about the problem of getting into first gear and I was, quite naturally, advised to contact my nearest Audi dealer. They are noncommittal about the information I passed them from the Forum, as it is not "an official Audi Forum".

Could those members who have reported having problems with getting into first gear from a standstill please take a couple of minutes to let me know if they have already contacted, or propose to contact, their local Audi dealer to get the matter resolved. If they have, what is the latest situation?

Thanks

[kelvinbishop]

As I said this is my 4th Audi showing this tendancy but it is the best of the bunch. The A3 was the worst, sometimes proving totally impossible to select first from stand still and having to move off in second (which could always be selected) I complained and had the car looked at by the dealer on several occasions but always with the same result 'no fault found'.

I like most everything else about the mark so i put up with the problem. When changing down at a junction etc. I do find that if you go to neutral for a second rather than straight from second to first it really helps. Also when starting from lights etc. in neutral, if first can't be select easily, try engaging second then first as this often frees it up.

I really wish you the best of luck with the dealer. Keep us informed of the outcome.

[AndyH123]

When changing down at a junction etc. I do find that if you go to neutral for a second rather than straight from second to first it really helps. Also when starting from lights etc. in neutral, if first can't be select easily, try engaging second then first as this often frees it up.

I really wish you the best of luck with the dealer. Keep us informed of the outcome.


I agree with the tip above, and would add since my previous posts here (now at over 5,600 miles) that I'm hardly noticing this anymore. Suspect I'm in the "car loosening up / driver adjusting" bucket rather than an actual fault.

[moptisam2]

Thanks for the advice on how to get around the problem. I may have to put up with it (as, apart from that problem and the sagging leather seats, I love the car) but as it has only happened to me with this A4 and the previous one I exchanged in June, since I passed my driving test in 1975, I don't really see why I should have to.

I know all about garages not finding the fault. The garage in West Yorkshire where I took the previous A4 experienced the same problem (confirming the fact to me on their FOC invoice) but then told Audi HQ that they had not. That explains why I did not consult that garage for the purchase of the new A4 and why I am taking it to Bradford Audi next week for them to have a look at it (and the sagging leather seats).

I will keep members informed as to my progress.