Noticed the addition of the following in the new brochure for the TSI models “Gear change recommendation (on 1.4 TSI and 1.8 TSI engines only)”.

Any ideas chaps (not more bloody lights to look at).

Cheers.

Hi Ahab,

They are fitted to my new 1.6 Tdi CR Greenline, in normal operation, the figure in the Maxidot display indicates which gear you are currently in. When either accelerating or slowing down, the system will recommend when to change gear by displaying the next gear number with the reverse background colour and an arrow pointing either up or down. Bit of a gimmick but just what you would expect on a eco car. Quite useful when trying to save fuel.

I notice that the recommendation to change gear sometimes comes far too early. One can't say that driving in 4th or 5th gear at 1100 revs is comfortable for the 1.6 tdi...but yes, it definitely is good for the mileage. How long will the engine take that for granted, I don't know!

Does anyone know where these Gear Change recommendations are indicated and from when were they introduced. My car was delivered on the 11th September but I've not noticed them. It's not a feature that's particularly important to me though as I've been driving long enough to know when to change gear.

Does anyone know where these Gear Change recommendations are indicated and from when were they introduced. My car was delivered on the 11th September but I've not noticed them. It's not a feature that's particularly important to me though as I've been driving long enough to know when to change gear.

I noticed the addition in the 1st October edition of the Octy Brochure, Ron Bird mentions that it appears on the Maxidot feature. I guess if you don't have Maxidot then it would appear on the trip computer. A bit more technology to go wrong though !

Found this photo in another thread - you should find the gear change recommandation in the right corner, next to the clock - the gear that is taken (1 to 6) appears, and an arrow next to it occurs (up or down, suggesting to take a higher or lower gear) - unfortunately you can't see it on this one! http://briskoda.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=30869&d=1254495456

This the image you get when you don't have the Maxidot (or when you forgot to order it, as I did...). As it appears, the FL without maxidot is different to the older O2...

See thread : FL non maxidot photos

Thanks for the replies, I do have maxidot and there is a small number similar to the one on the non-maxidot display that you posted.

This never changes though and from looking at the instruction manual I believe this to be number of the memory of the display , see :

When it is a number 1, the values you get are from the trip you're having (after leaving your car for at least 2 hours) (called single trip memory in the manual). When there's a 2, its your tripcomputer (called total-trip memory). you can switch from 1 to 2 and back with the windshield wiper lever (button B in the manual).

This is not the gear change indicator, though! You should see it just above the red arrow on your link...

Hi all,

The gear change display apears to the right of the clock display on the first line of the Maxidot, after a white dot. I hav'nt worked out if the recommendation varies with load due to varied acceleration rates as the engine is still quite new.

I don't think it does on mine or at least I've never seen it and there's no mention if it in the handbook for manual boxes, only the DSG box.

I've used this on a new A3 courtesy car when my A4 was in for warrenty work. It's ok but only a gimmick. On manual cars with maxidot it's where the gear indicator is on DSG motors.

I have a manual gear box too. Last night, I tried to take a photo of the display while I was driving (don't mention it to SWMBO). This is the result. You'll see a 5 with an arrow (right hand side, up above), suggesting I had to pass to 5th gear!

What you see is not the maxidot. As I mentioned, I forgot to order it...

I know, I know

ah I see. A different layout to the A3

Also in the new brochure is an increase in price on the VRS of £455 & a new entry in the spec. list

XDS.....YES!! :-)

So what is the problem with 1100 rpm ( with reference to the 1.6cr)

I had the Galaxy pulling fifth at about 30mph along a beach,

having worked my way up through the gears

without EVER touching the throttle

smooth as ice cream

Plus in my normal driving I would say i work between 1500 & 2500 most of the time

Only exceptionally going beyond 2500

diesels are ALL about torque

not rpm

jat

M

dieseldogg

Talking about a Galaxy, I presume it was the VW 1900cc diesel or 2.0l

It feels as if my 1600cc is less comfortable at these rev. I heard a mecanic claim that these low revs cause damage to parts of the engine. My atmospheric 1900cc (68 bhp) did these revs with more ease than the 1600cc, I have the impression. You can stall it easily, too. (it happens to me from time to time, even today!) The old one (i.e. atmospheric 1900, you practically couldn't stall.

Any one claiming the contrary?

Yes the gear change is on the 1.6 CR TDI too....And yes all the prices have gone up too....And yes sometimes comes on too early and change down too late......But why have they stated in the new mag that this is only on 1.4 &1.8 TSI ????? When clearly its on other to? ....The price hike is proberly an early VAT increase but then they will take 2.5% off if you buy new before it goes up again.

Odd. I've just collected my new 1.4 TSI today and there's no sign of this feature. I wasn't worried about it but as the car was built on 20th October (after the new brochure was introduced) I had assumed it would be there.

*shrug*

If you haven't got it on your new1.4 TSI then it could be just another example of Skoda UK not being very good at getting the details correct in the brochure.

I wouldn't be too concerned, whilst it may be a nice feature, I think most people have been driving long enough to know when to change gear by themselves without being distracted by the maxidot to tell them.

If you haven't got it on your new1.4 TSI then it could be just another example of Skoda UK not being very good at getting the details correct in the brochure.

I wouldn't be too concerned, whilst it may be a nice feature, I think most people have been driving long enough to know when to change gear by themselves without being distracted by the maxidot to tell them.

Yeah. I know .. when that dial thing goes into the red zone it's time to change up.

But I did wonder if there's been a problem with people 'misusing' the TSI engines that VAG thought a gear change guide was necessary!

No, Idon't think so, as it is on non-dsg cars too (as mine!)

I personally think it is, as jzc008 puts it gently, a nice feature that might help you to get a better mileage. But I still have my doubts as to the extreme low revs you get when you follow the gear change guide... but, then again, who am I?