Gear changing isn't really a hassle but I think sub-consciously it's always in the back of your mind and you're always thinking about gear changes, what gear you're in etc.

For me, I just find I can concentrate on other things. For example whilst cornering, just knowing the car will change gear and I don't need to makes it feel that bit safer. Same for when you're flooring it. I know I've got both hands on the wheel and I can correct any issues.

Parking is another example. Although gear changing isn't such a factor, when it isn't a simple parking manoeuvre, clutch control is another factor to think about. Being the experienced and professional motorists we are (), it's not going to cause a crash but is another thing that could distract us and take up concentration time.

In short, does DSG lead to less accidents? Do you find yourself being able to concentrate on more important things whilst driving?

Good post!

I can see where your coming from but I tend to drive mine in manual until I get a little bit tired or bored (stuck in traffic)...

Damo

I would take the view that because the car is doing it for you, you concentrate less in fact because you assume the car will do exactly what you want.

Ie: Your at a junction, go to pull out expecting to grab 1st for a burst of power but the box doesn't change down in time, holds 3rd, you pull out with no power and a car slams into the side of you. Could be avoided if you were in a manual because you'd know for defo you were in 1st.

People have coped with manual gearboxes for a very long time and yes, accidents happen... but people still crash in Auto Cars.

Edited 15 June, 201115 yr by adamc260

Only thing I think I'm going to miss is having clutch control especially for parking. I have to parallel park into my drive which is on a slight incline. As I'm doing it there's enough pull for the vRS to do it just off the clutch. If I come back and my positioning isnt quite right I can dip the clutch, roll forward a bit and reclutch and move back again. Can't do this with DSG. It's a minor thing and it's somthing I'll have to get used to

Ie: Your at a junction, go to pull out expecting to grab 1st for a burst of power but the box doesn't change down in time, holds 3rd, you pull out with no power and a car slams into the side of you. Could be avoided if you were in a manual because you'd know for defo you were in 1st.

Wouldn't happen unless there was a fault in your gearbox.

If you were travelling so slow to be thinking of using first then the DSG box will be in 2 - even in D mode. Even in 3 if you were slowing down it would have 2 ready on the 2nd clutch and when you decide to go would have changed down to 2 before your foot reaches the floor. The ratios in the 7 speed DSG mean that 1st is only used to get you rolling, once above 3 or 4 mph there is no point being in 1st, 2nd is only a smidgin longer.

Also in your rather extreme example I think you are going for a gap that isn't really there

on the most part I agree, do find the lack of engine braking in D mode anoying

also it tends to surge at low speeds and power can be a little delayed which is annoying when pulling away or parking. aotherwise its great.

Driving is a skill that needs to be taught and learnt, to be a better and safer driver then you need to put the extra work in and get the appropriate advanced driver training and not give the driver less things to actively do.

Changing gear should be a natural thing you do, not something you are constantly thinking about, if you are going to rely 100% on the car to pick the correct gear 100% of the time then what are you going to do when it either chooses the wrong gear or pauses for a second (both do happen).

As for reversing, providing you are fully competent using a clutch (there seem to be an awful lot of people on the roads who aren't) then having a clutch pedal actually gives the driver more control.

Auto's / DSG's etc have there place but they are not 'the best thing since sliced bread' I seriously considered it for my Superb, but was not convinced that it was good enough and reliable enough to sway me away from a manual box.

As for:

Ie: Your at a junction, go to pull out expecting to grab 1st for a burst of power but the box doesn't change down in time, holds 3rd, you pull out with no power and a car slams into the side of you. Could be avoided if you were in a manual because you'd know for defo you were in 1st.

I would suggest a better option would be to read the road better and not pull out if you are only just going to make it, if you need to give the car 'a burst of power' to safely pull out into a gap then is the gap really big enough in the first place?

Fair play Gizmo and I agree, DSG has it's problems and is far from perfect.

I'd be interested to see crash statistics for people with DSG and see if there is any difference.

I think it's one thing people don't like about DSG is not any of the small issues, but the fact you lose control and takes involvement away from the driver.

It could work both ways. Less gear changing etc means you concentrate more on other issues or you switch off far more easily, feel less involved and this could lead to a crash. Luckily for me, it's the former and not the latter

I'm curious how much of a driver's concentration is taken up by the gear and clutch when driving a manual.

Because I can't remember the last time I thought about it while driving, other than when giving my VRS the beans on private land.

To me it's a process you do automatically, not aware of it taking any more of my concentration.

And you don't switch off part of your brain to switch on the part to change gear anyway. :wonder:

All this making life easier just makes people more lazy. Like auto lights mean people don't then switch them on in the rain. (IMO)

When you learn to drive you think about it but as you get more experience you do it automatically.

On my Golf when the rain gets heavy enough for the wipers to remain permanently on for 10 secs or so my headlights automatically activate. Have DRL's too so not a big deal. Get your point though CT17 as not all cars do this but its v convenient.

I have a couple of autos in the family (a Clio and a Princess) and can safely say that when driving either of them I am a much more "lazy" driver... I tend to think that not having to think about changing gear takes away some of the concentration on the road ahead... Its nice but I still enjoy changing gear manually...

Maybe with a new driver having an auto allows them more time to look for hazards, but with an experienced driver I have my doubts...

However once they get an auto that has the same fuel consumption as a manual i will definitely change over...

Edited 15 June, 201115 yr by The PM

However once they get an auto that has the same fuel consumption as a manual i will definitely change over...

I thought the dry clutch 7 speed DSG box was just that?

It's slightly worse in town and slightly better on a run, giving the same combined economy as a manual.

I'll be using paddles as much as I can anyway once I get it. The dealer said it makes you think more when you use them, I suppose like you do when you drive a manual

I thought the dry clutch 7 speed DSG box was just that?

It's slightly worse in town and slightly better on a run, giving the same combined economy as a manual.

I should have added "mated with a diesel engine!"...

But whilst it brings it closer they haven't yet matched what an experienced driver can do with a manual, even a DSG box... Though the Golf Bluemotion gets very close, trouble is they don't do the 'box in the Fabia and the Bluemotion prices on Motability are 4k dearer than the standard manual which is just impossible to justify! Strangely the figures for the Golf show better urban for the DSG and worse extra urban, opposite to your experience!

Hmmmm. DSG, is it better or worse than a manual? I think you have to drive it as both, unless you want ot have real fun then it is manual mode all the way. Enjoy driving in auto mode but am always ready to hit the paddle to come down a gear or two. Just had a nice drive this evening across the new forest in auto, but lots of manual downshifting for the corners. Yes in pure auto you do not get engine braking, but you can do iy yourself. However, i am concerned that i should not really drive the car this way, but then i reasoned that if you can use it in Tiptronic mode then why not? Does anyone have an opinion on this?

I'm curious how much of a driver's concentration is taken up by the gear and clutch when driving a manual.

Because I can't remember the last time I thought about it while driving, other than when giving my VRS the beans on private land.

To me it's a process you do automatically, not aware of it taking any more of my concentration.

And you don't switch off part of your brain to switch on the part to change gear anyway. :wonder:

All this making life easier just makes people more lazy. Like auto lights mean people don't then switch them on in the rain. (IMO)

I have a DSG, SWMBO has a manual, company pool car is a manual.

When I first get into a different car I concentrate VERY hard

Within a couple of junctions I am back to doing it sub-consciously.

Only once in 8000 miles have I screeched to a halt by "dipping the clutch" on my DSG :S

Likewise I only once or twice forgot to dip the clutch when pulling to a halt in SWMBO's car.

One mistake I do frequently make is forgetting to select neutral before turning the starter on SWMBO's :S