I am sure this has been asked before but I am not able to find a reply.

I I have read in other forums and in Wikipedia, that the recommended method of stopping the car for a period over about 30 secs, like stopping at a light, is to put the shift in neutral. Apparently if it left in D the clutch is still engaged and will incur excessive wear. Is this true?

Does it also apply to a car with Hill Hold ?

Thanks for any advice.

Billhum

I think it depends on the version of DSG box.

I've got the 7 speed DSG on my Octavia & that's a "dry" box, whereas I believe that the 6 speed DSG box is a "wet" one and from what I've read & been told that it doesn't matter too much about the 7 speed box, but it does with the 6 speed one and that it's best to put cars with that box in N whilst in stationary traffic or at traffic lights.

In reality I always put my car in N when sitting in stationary traffic or at traffic lights, that way should my foot slip off the brake, I won't hit the car in front up the backside or jump a red light which will either land me with a £60 fine + 3 points or possibly a collision.

As for Hill Hold, mine has Hill Hold but only for a couple of seconds.

Do I like it, yes it makes for easy driving in slow traffic around town. But it's god damned awful in the snow.

Edited 29 May, 201016 yr by Evening Star

If you keep your foot on the footbrake while stationary then the clutches are disengaged - computer controlled from the brake light switch. But if you put the handbrake on and take your foot of the brake then you will feel the clutch reengaging and wear will take place

Thanks. I am grateful for your comments.

I think it depends on the version of DSG box.

I've got the 7 speed DSG on my Octavia & that's a "dry" box, whereas I believe that the 6 speed DSG box is a "wet" one and from what I've read & been told that it doesn't matter too much about the 7 speed box, but it does with the 6 speed one and that it's best to put cars with that box in N whilst in stationary traffic or at traffic lights.

In reality I always put my car in N when sitting in stationary traffic or at traffic lights, that way should my foot slip off the brake, I won't hit the car in front up the backside or jump a red light which will either land me with a £60 fine + 3 points or possibly a collision.

As for Hill Hold, mine has Hill Hold but only for a couple of seconds.

Do I like it, yes it makes for easy driving in slow traffic around town. But it's god damned awful in the snow.

Surely you can make use of the manual feature in snow and in so doing be able to select a slightly higher gearing then the auto box would normally select. This will then keep the applied torque via the wheels low just as you would with a manual transmission. I currently drive a manual model and I'm waiting for my new car (auto) to be delivered but I've autoboxes before and never had problems in the snow. The creepage at tickover is a positive thing in snow as it applies very low levels of torque and thus keeps wheel spin to a minimum aiding traction. You do need a very steady right foot though any jerky movements of the throttle will in auto mode result in what the box thinks is a request for more speed and more likely change down as a result and thus can cause problems.

Surely you can make use of the manual feature in snow and in so doing be able to select a slightly higher gearing then the auto box would normally select. This will then keep the applied torque via the wheels low just as you would with a manual transmission. I currently drive a manual model and I'm waiting for my new car (auto) to be delivered but I've autoboxes before and never had problems in the snow. The creepage at tickover is a positive thing in snow as it applies very low levels of torque and thus keeps wheel spin to a minimum aiding traction. You do need a very steady right foot though any jerky movements of the throttle will in auto mode result in what the box thinks is a request for more speed and more likely change down as a result and thus can cause problems.

Not possible to select the higher gear as the computer won't allow selection of a gear until a certain road speed is reached.

It is a pain in the snow but the biggest issue are the tyres not being suitable for snow!

It is a pain in the snow but the biggest issue are the tyres not being suitable for snow!

Indeed.