Hi All,

Just wondering what DSG modes you tend to use on the vRS, but discussion certainly not limited to the vRS.

For example when I test drove the vRS (and you can tell that I have a long wait before mine) I thought that S mode was something that I would rarely use but if I used it, I would probably move into D once I had a view of the traffic in the rear view mirror, say around 70mph {cough}.

I thought that I would use D and 'manual' (steering wheel paddles) most often.

Any thoughts please?

D all the way and S if i am feeling particularly racy or annoyed or want to warm the engine quicker. But usually D and paddles to override when required.

ill have mine in D but use the paddles as and when i feel the need. Wont bother with sport, it just revved the nuts off the car. track days/back road blasts ill be on full paddle mode

so with the dsg box in D you can still shift gears if needed using the padles with moving the gear stick to manual mode is this coorect. Not driven a dsg ox car before appart form the test drive.

so with the dsg box in D you can still shift gears if needed using the padles with moving the gear stick to manual mode is this coorect. Not driven a dsg ox car before appart form the test drive.

No need to move the gearstick at all if you want to use paddles. Just press on either the '+' paddle to shift up or '-' to shift down at any time you want to take control. The gearbox will remain in manual mode until you either put it back in auto by holding the '+' paddle (right hand) for more than 1 second or the gearbox will do it for you, should you not change gears for a period of time.

You can set the gearbox in 'permanent' manual mode by shifting the gearstick to the left whilst in 'D' mode though if you want complete control or you want to use the gearstick as a shifter.

I find there's little use for 'S' mode personally with the amount of control the DSG box gives you.

I use the DSG in D in everyday driving until I approach a roundabout...then drop it into S for some engine braking. The main advantage is that you can then blend into gap without the 'wake up' time required by D...then pop it back into D or upshift using a paddle to stop S revving the nuts off the engine.

I used to try down shifting with the paddles to get into a sensible approach gear...but it will only allow 1 shift at a time (i.e. you can't drop from 5th to 3rd with 2 clicks on the left paddle), so is too slow for drivers used to a manual box. S just seems to get you in the right gear. I also use S mode if I need to pull out of a junction in heavy traffic...D just does not give you the confidence/control you need in this situation..again I'll use a paddle or slip it back into D to stop the manic charge for the red line (even on light throttle opening!) you get with S.

If I want to enjoy the car more I'll slip the box over to the left & then use a combination of stick & paddles..it feels more like driving to me! :-)

Another DSG tip is to knock the lever (at the last moment) into N as you approach traffic light/junction etc. This way you won't be fighting the clutch & pull up with a lurch like a learner. Handbrake on...then a dab on the brake as you release the handbrake/slot lever into D & your away...they guy behind you thanks you for not blinding him with your high level brake light & your clutch release bearing will last longer.

If you are in D then you can use the paddles to shift, DSG will still intervene if rpm goes too high or low. If you want to go back to full auto you do a long press on either paddle to toggle back to full D, or it will do it itself when you stop.

S is good for a bit of fun and quicker warm up, but hangs onto low gears and high rpm’s so can be wearing unless you need all 180 horses all the time. Fact is the power band is so wide that you don’t need it that much.

Side shift the stick to the left into manual and you can go up and down with the stick or the paddles, the DSG brain will still down-shift if the revs drop too low or up-shift if you red-line so it isn’t true full manual.

All modes it learns what you do and reflects that in the way it operates in auto. After nearly 5k miles mine has grown to understand me, and me to understand it. Hand it to the missus and it is noticeably more relaxed when I get behind the wheel again, and then it sharpens up again for me.

Its not for everybody, some have grown-up with a manual and cannot embrace this new technology that, truthfully, demands your understanding, your attention, and your ability to learn new skills.

It would appear that a manual in the hands of a professional racer, and as an occasional track and ex-rally man I don’t include myself here, can be marginally quicker. For us mortals it is 85% the best of both. From what I read from other members including the very well informed and excellent contributor Janner, a DSG remap might take it from here to 95%+ and I watch this discussion with interest.

I can honestly say that despite being a keen embracer of new tech that I didn’t fully understand how the DSG operated both on test drives and through the first 2000 miles. Clearly only the unwise would try to pass any opinion off as informed without doing at least this sort of mileage first.

Can you shift into neutral with the paddles? One thing I hate about auto's is having to hold the brakes on at lights. Would be great if you could shift into N...

Can you shift into neutral with the paddles? One thing I hate about auto's is having to hold the brakes on at lights. Would be great if you could shift into N...

You put the handbrake on and move the lever into N the same as you would in a manual car :wonder:

You put the handbrake on and move the lever into N the same as you would in a manual car :wonder:

That's a pity...had hoped you could shift into N with the paddles.

I always thought I'd use manual mode, but generally use D, with S sometimes for twisties/overtakes, only use manual down a long steep hill.