Pootling with DSG

**nickmurphy** · 08-11-2009,03:58 PM

Hi everyone

I have a manual 07 2.0 TDI Sport and very happy I am with it. I'm thinking when it's time for a change to go for a DSG but I'm keen to know if it would suit my driving style, which I would describe as mainly pootling when I'm in town and cruising 75-80 when on motorways.

By pootling I mean gently going at 30-35 in sixth, when the engine is doing around 1,000 rpm. Will the DSG be happy to go into sixth at 30 or will it stay in 4th or 5th? Would I have to use the tiptronic function to get it to act in this way

Any replies gratefully received

**Teflon** · 08-11-2009,04:18 PM

When pootling, it will automatically end up in the highest gear which is smooth and economical. If you want a higher gear, sorry, but the DSG knows better than you do what is good for it and that is what it will do. Whether you use the gear lever or the flappy paddles it will not change up at too low a speed (or indeed, change down if it would over rev the engine). You can sometimes persuade it to go up a gear but before long it will drop down again, especially if you run into a bit of an incline. When accelerating, you can instruct it to change up earlier than otherwise it would, or you can just back off the throttle slightly for a second or so and it will change up.

I don't find this behaviour a problem and even in the GTI I very rarely find myself using the flappy paddles now that the novelty has worn off.

**Cylon2007** · 08-11-2009,05:10 PM

I have a 140 DSG and it's great, it will not go into top at 30 (even if you put it in manual) at 30 it holds 4th at 40 5th and above that 6th.

I have no problems with it doing this in fact I think in 6th at 30 it would actually be less fuel efficient as it will be chugging.

If you are uncertain best thing to do is arrange an exteneded test drive in one. This is the first Auto car I have owned but unless I was buying a sports car I can't see me buying a manual again.

**dieseljames** · 08-11-2009,08:46 PM

Originally Posted by Cylon2007

I think in 6th at 30 it would actually be less fuel efficient as it will be chugging.

I'm 99% sure that at 30 on the flat, 6th gear is fine for maintaining speed, it almost feels like its coasting, but you have to drop it down a cog to accelerate/deal with any inclines.

**nickmurphy** · 09-11-2009,08:07 AM

Hi All

Thanks for all the responses, I guess the best way for me to see if it suits my driving style is to have a test drive. I would think that the instantaneous gear changes in itself must be good for fuel economy and offsets the higher consumption caused by it sticking in 4th and 5th when in a manual I would be in 6th

Cheers

**Teflon** · 09-11-2009,09:21 AM

Originally Posted by nickmurphy

Hi All

Thanks for all the responses, I guess the best way for me to see if it suits my driving style is to have a test drive. I would think that the instantaneous gear changes in itself must be good for fuel economy and offsets the higher consumption caused by it sticking in 4th and 5th when in a manual I would be in 6th

Cheers

But the highest gear isn't necessarily the most economical, old chap. Engine efficiency is what matters, they don't always like to bumble along at ridiculously low revs. Maybe this is the reason why VW quote fuel consumption figures for the DSG as good as, or very slightly better than a manual.

My tip, take the test drive and ignore the display where it tells you what gear you are in. And don't knock into neutral when going down hill, it's not good for the box.

**nickmurphy** · 09-11-2009,02:29 PM

Thanks Teflon - I know what you mean about the highest gear not necessarily sipping the least fuel, so I don't let the engine get to a point where it's obviously labouring. I'll take an extended test drive and see what it's like

**Quatrelle** · 09-11-2009,08:23 PM

It's an interesting point. I've tried knocking my manual down from 6th to 5th when the revs are at 1800 on a long hill, and getting the engine into what I feel is a more efficient part of its rev band. The computer then tells me I'm using more fuel....

I'll try it at 1500 next time!

**gamichea** · 09-11-2009,09:31 PM

Originally Posted by Quatrelle

It's an interesting point. I've tried knocking my manual down from 6th to 5th when the revs are at 1800 on a long hill, and getting the engine into what I feel is a more efficient part of its rev band. The computer then tells me I'm using more fuel....

I'll try it at 1500 next time!

Two observations FWIW

As we all know, the computer is basing its verdict on its interpretation of the combined impact of inputs from certain sensors; not on actuality. Those of us who compute brim to brim consumption from time to time know it fibs, sorry, is inaccurate.

If you're like me you give the accelerator a (hopefully) appropriate prod when changing down to facilitate a smooth change and you have to adjust the accelerator position after the change to maintain road speed. Those actions will impact the computer read out.

Are you watching the instantaneous consumption read out or the average? The former is all over the place at times and is always a tad behind actuality. The average might give a better feel for what is happening but the impact of any action is dependent on the distance travelled & consumption so far as well as the action itself.

**dunkley201** · 09-11-2009,11:40 PM

Another FWIW.... Do not expect DSG to give you the same economy as the manual - I have a DSG and would not change it but my MFD fuel consumption shows about 47.5 overall and maybe 51 when 'pootling' - ie light throttle, max 60mph. I had a manual Highline (CR) for a time recently and that was regularly in the 50's/55's, even creeping to 60 on a run. On mine I tend to leave the box in auto for the relaxing drive. Have yet to measure it 'full to full' - may prove interesting. Regardless, I would not move back to a manual.